VSO Talk Radio

Western Mass Veterans Radio 🎙️ on Classic Hits 977 with Jered Scott of  Wilbraham Veteran Services, our newest “Official” co-host, Jesus Pereira of Holyoke Veterans' Services and Eric Segundo, Ludlow Veterans Services. 

On this week’s show, we had Rick Bettencourt, also know as the the “VA Guy”.  We discussed all everything you need to know about VA Mortgage Loans. 

John Hurley’s Veteran’s History Project:  John talked with Jim Fiztell,  32 years of service in the Marines, Army and Air Force.

On this week’s show we are honored to have Tom Kelley, Medal of Honor Recipient and former Secretary of Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services 

 We discuss:

 🔹Military Service

🔹Naming of Navy Destroyer DDG140

🔹his time as Secretary of Veterans Services under 4 Governors 

Veterans ID cards: 

Different types
How to Apply 
Benefits of each type of ID

*New Expanded Care for Veterans in Crisis 

*Veterans Crisis Line provides:

·      Access free, confidential support 24/7, 365 days a year.

·      Live Connection: Connect with a real person qualified to support Veterans.

·      The Veterans Crisis Line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.

*The New VA Life Insurance, VALife

Stephanie Shaw, Director of Veterans Services for the City if Chicopee  breaks down the VA for us.  VA Basic 101  and what to expect.  

Non Service Connected Disability Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income who are no longer able to work.

Survivors Pension is a tax-free benefit payable by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and unmarried dependent child(ren) of a deceased wartime Veteran.

Bryan Doe from the Springfield Vet Center shares with us all the programs and services available to Veterans and their families. 

The Veterans Advocacy Coalition, composed of former leaders who had previously established the Holyoke coalition in May of 2020 in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak at the Holyoke veterans’ home.

 The new coalition consists of leaders from local Veterans’ organizations, family members and concerned citizens. 

 The Coalition’s mission is to champion the interests of military veterans and their family members.

Property Abatement
State Annuity
Sales Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
Other benefits for Service-Connected Veterans

This week we bring back our good friend Jesus Pereira of Holyoke Veterans' Services as we discuss Filing a VA Claim, what’s the process, and what to expect from start to finish!