Notify the Erie VA when you go to a community Emergency Department or are admitted to a community hospital. VA Payment is not guaranteed. It will be considered for payment. You must notify the VA within 72 hours. Call Erie VA In The Community at (814) 860-2320 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, call (814) 868-8661 and ask for the Medical Administration Assistant. This is for veterans that are enrolled in the Erie VA only. If you are on vacation in another state you still must call the Erie VA. Note: If you get your care at another VA, like Pittsburgh or Butler, you must call that VA. Veterans, take a picture and save these numbers.
Military Shares Produce Express
In Northwest Pennsylvania, nearly 25 percent of households receiving food assistance have at least one member who has served or is serving in the military. Second harvest Food Bank Of NWPA wants to help military families who are struggling to put nutritious food on the table. This includes the distribution of free fresh produce and other grocery products for families who income-qualify. Food will be distributed Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. at VFW Post 1835, 411 9th St., in Franklin. Bring your photo ID and bags, boxes or cart for food. National Guard, reservists, active military, veterans of any branch and their families are eligible. Pre-registration is recommended. Call Gerry Weiss, at Second Harvest Food Bank, at (814) 459-3663, Ext 120.
VFW Demands Answers on the Delayed Decision on Agent Orange
Military Times reported on Oct. 23 that White House officials, including Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, are responsible for the delayed decision on additional Agent Orange diseases. “In light of today’s news regarding the continued delay to add four presumptive diseases to the Agent Orange list, the VFW is extremely upset and dissatisfied with the backdoor political games that are being played in Washington as the lives of our veterans are at stake,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. “The health and welfare of our nation’s veterans should, and must, be our number one priority.”
VFW Delivers Vietnam War Artifacts to Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
The VFW returned six artifacts and personal effects to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency as part of its promise to help advance the noble POW/MIA missions. “It is vital that we return any known artifacts, documents, and personal items back to the Vietnamese government, who have continued to foster a good relationship with the United States as we diligently search for our missing servicemen. This display of diplomacy will only help in our efforts to reach our true goal and promise to our families affected by the Vietnam War – and that’s to achieve the fullest possible accounting of those Americans missing from the Vietnam War,” stated VFW Washington Office Executive Director B.J. Lawrence.
Important Dates in November
Nov. 3: Daylight Savings Time
Nov. 10: Marine Corps Birthday
Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Nov. 28: Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 30: First day of the regular deer season
POW/MIA Update
Army Cpl. Lloyd B. Odom, 19, of Odessa, Mo., was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Odom will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The date has yet to be determined.
Army Cpl. Charles H. Grubb, 21, of War Eagle, W.Va., was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Willard R. Best, 24, of Staunton, Ill., was a member of the 407th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), 40th Combat Bombardment Wing, 1st Air Division, 8th Air Force. Best’s remains will be buried in his hometown in the spring of 2020.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. John F. McTigue, 22, of Astoria, N.Y., was a member of the 407th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy,) 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy,) 40th Combat Bombardment Wing, 1st Air Division, 8th Air Force. McTigue’s remains will be buried Nov. 18, 2019, in Woodside, NY.
Marine Corps Reserve 2nd Lt. Ernest A. Matthews, Jr., 34, of Dallas, Texas, was assigned to Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, Division Special Troops, 2nd Marine Division. Matthews remains will be buried Nov. 5, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas.
Army Pvt. Connie Cagle, 23, of Sweetwater, Tenn., was a member of Company K, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. Cagle was killed in action on Nov. 22, 1942. Cagle will be buried in Grand Rapids, Mich. The date has yet to be determined.
Army Air Forces Sgt. R.L. Tyler, 22, of Denton County, Texas, was a member of Headquarters Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He reportedly died July 18 or 19, 1942. Tyler will be buried at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. The date has yet to be determined.
Till next week praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
