Pot Luck Fundraiser and Picnic
Friday July 4, 2008
6-9 p.m.
Bring your own food, drink, to share
Liberty View Farm
340 Cresent Avenue
Highland, NY 12528
Click for directions
For more information contact:
Colleen Geraghty at 845-256-9233
or Billiam at 845-883-7004
Some people would say that it is axiomatic that the more things change, the more they stay the same. With some things, however, we would have to respectfully disagree. As you may know, United Spinal Association has had a long history of assisting veterans, both with and without disabilities, in securing their civil rights, government benefits and health care. Founded more than 60 years ago by a group of World War II veterans who had sustained spinal cord injuries on the battlefields of Europe and in the Pacific, United Spinal Association has been continuously fighting for the rights of veterans and their families at the federal, state and local levels. Building on its tradition of zealously representing veterans’ individual and group interests, United Spinal Association recently announced the launch of VetsFirst, a comprehensive, full-service veterans advocacy program.
The VetsFirst program is the embodiment of United Spinal Association’s commitment to ensuring that all veterans – past, present, and future – receive the health care and rehabilitation that they deserve, and that they are physically, emotionally and economically restored to the greatest extent possible for disabilities that were incurred as the result of their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized United Spinal Association to serve as a national veterans service organization.
Our VetsFirst program provides direct representation to individual veterans benefits claimants through a national network of VA-accredited veterans service representatives, legal representation in appeals of denied VA claims, legislative advocacy before Congress and state legislatures; and representation of veterans’ interests as a group before executive agencies and the courts. We have also entered into strategic partnerships with other veterans service organizations, such as Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), to enable us to expand our presence throughout the country and assist veterans in their own communities. In fact, United Spinal Association and VVA will be presenting an advanced training seminar for VA-accredited veterans service representatives during United Spinal’s August 2008 Independence Expo in Orlando. FL.
It is important for veterans to understand that although we have special expertise in SCI/D-related disabilities, we provide representation for veterans benefits claimants with all types of disabilities. Veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing complex conditions such as traumatic brain injury, poly-traumatic injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions affect every aspect of their lives; from health to employment, to finances and to family and social relationships. VetsFirst’s full-service approach to caring for veterans focuses on all of these concerns. Our services start with the transition from active-duty service member to veteran, but healing and securing benefits are only the beginning of the story. Veterans service organizations must also assist veterans, their families and survivors in returning to as normal a life as possible once the veteran comes home. Rehabilitation, community reintegration and continuing support are just as important as disability compensation and acute health care.
In sum, VetsFirst is designed to serve as a model for the next generation of veterans service organizations. Building on traditional roles, we are constantly seeking new ways to serve veterans.
Our country has chosen to honor service members whose selfless service to our protection and freedom has cost them dearly by promising to care for them and their families once their uniform is hung for the last time. As the nature of warfare is constantly evolving, so to must we who have dedicated ourselves to this national compact.
For more information on our services, please visit the VetsFirst section of United Spinal Association’s website.
VetsFirst
United Spinal’s VetsFirst program directly serves the needs of our veterans and their families. Our network of National Service Officers provides assistance and representation in claims for benefits and health care services before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal and state agencies, as well as legal representation before the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and other federal courts. Our service officers and attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in benefits for disabled veterans and their families. VetsFirst also promotes the rights of veterans as a group though legislative advocacy and broad-impact litigation in the federal courts. VetsFirst services are available at no cost to all veterans and their dependents and survivors nationwide.
* Benefits counseling services
* Individual representation before the VA and other federal agencies in benefits and health care matters
* Legal representation on appeals of denied benefits claims
* Comprehensive veterans advocacy
* Assistance with military medical evaluation board proceedings
