VSO Talk Radio

This week we recap the Army/Navy Game, Jered sings army!  
We touch on the VA’s Million Veterans Program,  Gulf War And Burn Pit Registries and the importance.  

This Week we discussed Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), complance, accredition and more. 

Don't Feed the Sharks 

What is a “Claim Shark”? 
• A Claim Shark is an individual or company that charges hefty fees to “assist” or “consult” veterans with filing their VA benefit claims – this practice is illegal! 
• Claim Sharks are not VA accredited, meaning they aren’t required to adhere to the well-established professional and ethical standards of VA accreditation, so their advice can often be misleading or even fraudulent.
 • Like a “Loan Shark,” once you’re in, you can’t get out, and may be subject to new and hidden fees whenever you get a new rating, no matter who does the work. 

This week with talk with a few organizations that are supporting Veterans.  
▪️State Treasury-Welcome Home Bonuses
▪️New England Center and Home for Veterans
▪️Mike Raymond, Past State Commander for the VFW
▪️SAR: Suicide Awareness Flag

This week on Western Mass Veterans Radio  we discussed Governor Maura T. Healey’s filed legislation to increase benefits, modernize services and promote inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans. An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act) will have positive impacts for hundreds of thousands of veterans living in Massachusetts, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans. This historic legislation marks the first time in 20 years that a Massachusetts Governor has specifically introduced a comprehensive and expansive legislative package dedicated to the welfare of veterans.  

This week we talked with Jason Berger, VSO of Eastern Hampden District, Ally Rodriquez, VSO Taunton MA, and Kim Emerling, VSO of Salem, MA.  We get their propective as VSOs and learn what they do in their communities. 

Uniting Food, Friends, and Veterans

Hosting Veteran Communities Of Mutual Support, Camaraderie And Gratitude Around Complimentary Meals At Fifteen Sites In New England

Building Bridges has organically evolved from a single site experiment to gather a handful of veterans, to an organized network of fifteen sites in four New England states, all in pursuit of the same mission: to address veteran social isolation, depression and suicide ideation by building veteran communities of mutual support and healing.

This week we talk with Patrick George,  President of the Massachusetts Veterans Services Officers Association and Watertown, MA VSO.   He talks about  the association, its mission, and vision for the future. 


 

As the Veterans needs change with age, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide benefits and services that address a variety of issues including the changing health risks they face, as well as financial challenges through VA benefits and health services. Elderly Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits and we discuss these programs. 

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, it is WAA mission to Remember, Honor and Teach and its carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 4,000+ locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.