Valley VoiceVeteran's Corner Archives - Valley Voice

Veterans Corner: Military funeral honors

Valley Voice Contributor — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 08:15:01 +0000

The Department of Defense (DOD) provides military funeral honors at the burials of veterans on request from family members. Funeral honors can be given at private or government-operated cemeteries. As provided by law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the Armed Forces. One member of the detail shall be a representative of the parent Service of the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps.

Families of eligible military veterans request funeral honors through their funeral home director. Funeral home directors can request funeral honors from DOD, whether burial is in a national cemetery or another cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff at national cemeteries also can assist to arrange funeral honors at VA national cemeteries. Your funeral home director will assist you in obtaining a flag. More information on burial flags is available at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/burial-flags/

A Presidential Memorial Certificate will be provided upon request. This is a parchment certificate with an inscription expressing the nation’s grateful recognition of an honorably discharged, deceased veteran’s service in the Armed Forces. The veteran’s name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President. For information about requesting a Presidential Memorial Certificate and additional information refer to http://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp. More information is also available at https://www.cem.va.gov/military_funeral_honors.asp

Our office can also assist with making these arrangements along with ordering flags, headstones and grave markers.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Scott Holwell at the email address provided below, if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets

Scott Holwell, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call (559)852-2669; or e-mail scott.holwell@co.kings.ca.us

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Veterans Corner: Veterans Crisis Line

Valley Voice Contributor — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 07:51:48 +0000

September is Suicide Prevention Month and as such I am compelled to again address that topic here in Veterans Corner. Current statistics indicate the average suicide rate among veterans to be 17 per day, down from 21 per day in 2016. During Suicide Prevention Month and year-round, the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD) work together to raise awareness of the suicide prevention and mental health resources they offer and to encourage communities to support Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families and friends.

VA collaborates with community groups, Veterans Service Organizations, health care providers, corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, and others that serve, employ, or support Veterans, to spread the word that help is available. These stakeholders help VA remind Veterans, Service members, and their loved ones that free, confidential crisis support from the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The responders at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances — from those coping with mental health issues that were never addressed, to recent Veterans dealing with relationships or the transition back to civilian life. You can show your support for Veterans and active-duty, service members who may be in crisis, by spreading the word about The Power of 1. Veterans, service-members, and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1; send a text message to 838255, or chat online to receive free, confidential support – even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. Our local crisis resources in Kings County can be accessed by calling (559) 582-4484 or 1-800-655-2553. Let’s work together to support our veterans in need. It only takes one person, one phone-call or one conversation – to make a difference!

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Scott Holwell if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets.

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Veterans’ Corner: Compensation benefits for dependents

Scott Holwell — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:52:11 +0000

When a veteran has a disability or disabilities that are rated by the VA at 30% or greater, disability compensation can be increased based on dependents. A claim for this increased benefit needs to be filed with the VA, if there is any change in the status of the veteran’s spouse and/or children.

Every year veterans with dependents continue to lose compensation benefits because of the failure to file or re-file a claim for dependency status. Normally, increased compensation is paid for a child until age 18. The VA will recognize and pay veterans for their dependent children until age 23, as long as they are attending an accredited high school or college program.

On a child’s 18^th birthday the VA will automatically drop the child, if the appropriate school attendance form is not completed and returned to the local VA Regional Office.

If a child is attending school and drops out for any reason, the veteran must also notify VA or an over-payment status will result.

It is just as important to advise the VA or the Kings County Veterans Service Office of a new spouse or child, as it is to advise them if the child is no longer attending school. Benefits may also be available, if the veteran is providing direct care to their parents and the parent’s income and net-worth meets certain limits. If you need any help in keeping your dependency status current, please feel free to stop by our office anytime and we can assist you with the appropriate forms.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Scott Holwell if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, call or visit our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets.

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VA Disability Ratings

Joe Wright — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 07:10:20 +0000

There are many benefits available to veterans from both state and federal agencies. Many of these benefits are only available to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The Veterans Administration (VA) determines the level of disability using a rating system. Veterans are rated at 0% to 100% disabled depending on the severity of their disabilities.

You must file a claim to receive a disability rating. You can file a claim for disability at any time. It is recommended that service members file within the first year of discharge so all reasonable medical conditions that occurred during service can be identified as service-connected. These medical conditions may be rated at 0%, or may be considered a serious disability and receive a higher rating. Either way, they are now service-connected and if you have problems later in life, VA will provide medical care and possibly increase the disability rating.

If it has been more than a year since separation from military service, the task of establishing service-connection is a bit more difficult. We have had veterans come into our office that were separated over fifty years ago and are able to build a case for benefits, and get it approved. We can and will assist you with your claim.

To get the claim completed as soon as possible, we need a copy of your discharge papers (DD214), a copy of your medical records if you have them and any additional statements from your doctor about your current medical conditions. If you don’t have copies, we can order them. As an example, a 0% disability rating for a mild hearing loss qualifies the children of a veteran for the California College Fee Waiver Program.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call 852-2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.

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California Veterans Benefits

Joe Wright — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 08:08:13 +0000

California offers many benefits to its veterans.

The College Fee Waiver Program offers children and dependents of service-connected disabled or service-related deceased veterans a waiver of tuition fees for California Universities, and State and Community Colleges. Benefits are awarded on an “academic year” basis, and are based on the student’s income. Students are required to reapply each year for continued benefits.
CAL-VET Loan Programs provides low-cost, low interest financing to eligible, qualified veterans to purchase homes, farms or mobile homes for use as their primary residence.
State Veterans Homes are available to veterans and their spouses. The veteran must be a California resident at the time of application; must be honorably discharged and must have served during a time of war; must be at least 62 or disabled; must be self-reliant at the time of entry and able to live with minimal support in residential care. Fees are assessed based upon income.
Fishing/Hunting Licenses and State Parks and Recreation Passes are available at reduced fees.
Additional Benefits include employment and unemployment insurance assistance, business license/tax and fee waivers, property tax exemptions, and waiver of motor vehicle registration fees.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email.

There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

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Minimum Active Duty Service Requirement

Joe Wright — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 08:01:34 +0000

In order to be eligible for benefits from the VA, a veteran must meet minimum active duty service requirements. For most veterans this means 24 months of continuous active duty. Non-duty periods that are considered excludable are not considered as a break in service for continuity purposes but are to be subtracted from total time served. Minimum active duty service also includes the full period for which a person was called or ordered to active duty. Except as noted below, a person who does not complete a minimum period of active duty is not eligible for any benefit under any law administered by the VA, based on that period of active service.

There are circumstances where the above rule does not apply. One circumstance is when a person who is discharged or released under an early out program or a hardship discharge. Another would be to a person who is discharged or released from active duty for a disability adjudged service-connected without presumptive provisions of law, or who at time of discharge had such a service-connected disability, shown by official service records, which in medical judgment would have justified a discharge for disability. A person with a compensable service-connected disability is also excluded. Other circumstances may apply. When a person does not meet minimum active duty service requirements, and is therefore not eligible for VA benefits, the person’s dependents or survivors are also not eligible to receive benefits based on the same period of active duty. As always, please contact our office if you have questions.

Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230; call 852-2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.

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Veterans Outreach

Joe Wright — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 08:01:19 +0000

In an effort to assist veterans and their dependents in receiving state and federal veterans benefits that they may be eligible for, our office will make home visits. These home visits are designed for those that cannot travel to our office. We can assist with the appropriate paperwork and file a claim for benefits. We also work with family members who are trying to assist a veteran or dependent in obtaining benefits. We can also assist with transportation arrangements to the Veterans Administration hospital in Fresno. We coordinate with KART, who provides transportation to and from the hospital several times a week.

Our office also does speaking engagements. We can come to your facility and speak about both state and federal veteran’s benefits. We will speak to community service organizations, NAS Lemoore commands, groups of veterans, or any group that has an interest in veteran’s benefits. Our talks normally last about 30 minutes but can be tailored to fit your needs. We can also be available to answer questions about specific veteran’s issues. To inquire about a home visit, or to setup a speaking engagement, please contact our office.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran ID cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email.

There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

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Veterans Day Events

Joe Wright — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 08:08:35 +0000

Veterans Day, November 11, is set aside to thank and honor all men and women who served honorably in the military. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty. As we salute America’s heroes on Veterans Day, there are many activities the community is encouraged to participate in.

On November 5, Lemoore High School is hosting the 22nd Annual Patriotic Concert, “Courage on the Home Front.” The concert is at the Lemoore High School Event Center and begins at 7pm. Donations will be accepted as well as canned food and new baby items.

On November 6, West Hills College Lemoore is hosting a Veterans Day 2014 Root Beer Float Social from 2 until 3:30pm, in front of the Administration Building at West Hills College Lemoore. They will be collecting hygiene product donations that will go to local homeless veterans. RSVP by calling 925-3341.

On Veterans Day, November 11, the Hanford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5869 will host the Third Annual Veterans Festival at the Kings County Fairgrounds. The Festival starts at 10:30am and runs until 4pm. There will be music, food, raffles throughout the day, motorcycle and car clubs, bounce houses, drill team competition and numerous other family-oriented activities. There is a Veteran “Stand Down” from 8 to 10am. Admission and parking are free.

On November 11, American Legion Post 3 is also conducting a Veterans Day Service at the Hanford Cemetery “Tank” at 10am.

This event will be followed by a potluck lunch at the Veterans Hall in Hanford. For more information, call 583-1169. Fleet Reserve Post 261 in Lemoore is hosting a Veterans Day potluck at 12:30pm at the Club 261 in Lemoore.

To finish up the day, the City of Lemoore and American Legion Post 100 are hosting the Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Lemoore at 6pm. The parade is free to participate as long as the entrant maintains a patriotic theme. For more information, call Lemoore Parks and Recreation at 924-6767.

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Military and Veterans Coalition Meeting

Joe Wright — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 07:03:57 +0000

The next Kings County Military and Veterans Coalition meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14, at 2pm at the Kings County Government Center, 1400 West Lacey Blvd, in Hanford. The meeting is held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Administration Building.

With approximately 12,000 veterans and several thousand active duty personnel, Kings County has a significant population that is interested in and affected by issues concerning our military community and veterans in general. Veterans Service Organizations, NAS Lemoore, service providers and anyone else interested in military and veterans issues in Kings County are encouraged to attend this meeting.

If you are looking for services or possibly a new career, this meeting is a great place to start some networking. We’ll discuss several issues including veteran’s legislation. We’ll also have the VA Healthcare Enrollment Specialist from the VA Hospital in Fresno as our guest speaker. He’ll give a brief presentation on VA Healthcare eligibility and be able to answer any questions you may have. He will also be able to enroll folks into VA Healthcare while he is here. If you have questions about the coalition, please contact Joe Wright as noted below. Please mark your calendar and attend this meeting!

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Retired Military Appreciation Day at NAS Lemoore

Joe Wright — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 07:01:09 +0000

Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore is hosting its annual Retired Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, September 13, from 9am to 1pm, starting at the base theater. The purpose of the event is to provide updates covering benefits for military retirees and their spouses.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office, along with representatives from the Naval Hospital, Tri-Care, Personnel Support Detachment (PSD), Legal Department, Delta Dental, Navy Exchange, CALVET, Navy Commissary, San Joaquin Valley Veterans and others will be providing valuable information and will be available to answer questions from event participants. The keynote speaker will be Hillary Perez-Godfrey, Beneficiary Services and Education Representative for United Health Care (TRICARE).

All retired military, spouses and widow/widowers are invited to attend. For more information, call the Fleet and Family Support Center at 998-4042. To obtain access to NAS Lemoore, it is important to have a current ID card (PSD will be available to assist with new ID card needs).

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran ID cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.
Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230; call 852-2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.

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