We hope to have everything completed shortly!  Thank you for your patience!

The following information is for those that are a part of the Executive Committee. Only those that are a part of the voting body and appointed officers will be reimbursed for expenses from the Department. A Lunch will be provided for the 12th Saturday, and morning coffee and pastries will be on hand.We are also planning a Saturday evening Banquet. *Those planning on attending must contact Commander Finn or David Tomlin Adjutant by May 24^th, 2010.

Executive Members expected to attend are: Past Department Commanders, Department Commander, Senior & Jr Vice Commander, Adjutant, Finance Officer, Judge Advocate, Inspector, Sgt @ Arms, Finance Committee members, and Chapter Commanders.

The Executive Finance Meeting is scheduled for Friday evening June 11th. Time to be announced.

General Meeting: Saturday the 12th, 2010 (9:00am)  All members are welcome to attend, the customary reimbursements will be for  the Chapter Commander  or a Chapter Representative along with Executive Committee and appointed members.  Hotel night’s reimbursement will be  provided for those traveling a distance or need to stay at the hotel! A reminder that election of officers will be held at the Saturday meeting. Those interested in running for office for the 2010-2011 years should contact our Department Adjutant David S. Tomlin.

Additional detailed information will be sent to all Chapter Commanders, Chapter Adjutants, and Department officers.

All meetings are open to members in good standing.

Chapter #252 & #575 will be the host for the June Department Convention. A Hospitality room & Pizza dinner will be provided on Friday evening.

Desserts provided by LAMOPH Unit #144 / cost covered by Department IL LAMOPH.

The hotel is listed below. The fee for the hotel night stay is $89.00 per night.

Veterans and their non-VA providers should be aware that these claims must be filed with the VA within 90 days from the last day of the emergent care; otherwise, the claim will be denied because it was not filed in a timely manner. This benefit is a safety net for enrolled veterans who have no other means of paying a private facility emergency bill. If another health insurance provider pays all or part of a bill, VA cannot provide any reimbursement. Veterans who retired from the U.S. military are covered by Tricare/CHAMPUS insurance and cannot file a Mill Bill claim. To qualify, you must meet all of these criteria:

• You were provided care in a hospital emergency department or similar facility providing emergency care; and
• You are enrolled in the VA Health Care System, and
• You have been provided care by a VA health care provider within the last 24 months (excludes C & P, Agent Orange, Ionized Radiation and Persian Gulf exams); and
• You are financially liable to the provider of the emergency treatment for that treatment; and
• You have no other form of health care insurance; and
• You do not have coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, or a state program; and
• You do not have coverage under any other VA programs; and
• You have no other contractual or legal recourse against a third party (such as a Workman’s Comp Claim or a Motor Vehicle Accident) that will pay all or part of the bill; and
• Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal facilities were not feasibly available at time of the emergency; and
• The care must have been rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health.

If you are an eligible veteran, and a VA facility is not feasibly available when you believe your health or life is in immediate danger, report directly to the closest emergency room (ER). If your condition is stabilized by the ER but additional medical care is needed, proceed to the nearest VAMC. If hospitalization is required for your service or non-service-connected condition, you, your representative or the treating facility should contact the nearest VAMC’s Transfer Center within 24 hours to arrange a transfer to VA care. Veterans have a responsibility to ensure that the VA Transfer Center is notified immediately upon any hospital admission. Payment responsibility is as follows:

• VA will reimburse health care providers for all medical services necessary to stabilize your condition up to the point you can be transferred to an approved VA health care facility or other federal facility. If you stay beyond that point, you will assume full responsibility for the payment of costs associated with treatment.
• If you are hospitalized, and the VA is notified, the VA will be in regular contact with your physician at the private hospital. As soon as your condition stabilizes, the VA will assist the private facility with arrangements to transport you to a VA, or VA-designated facility.
• If the VA accepts responsibility for the emergency room visit and/or admission, the ambulance will be paid from the scene of the incident to the first non-VA facility providing necessary care.
• The VA is only authorized to pay for an ambulance to go from the scene of the incident to the first non-VA facility providing necessary care. The veteran is responsible for payment for an ambulance from the non-VA facility to a VA facility. Ambulance bills are considered unauthorized claims, and must be submitted to the VA in a timely manner.
• The VA’s authority for reimbursement of pharmacy items to veterans from non-VA providers follows a strict set of guidelines. The veteran must be actively enrolled in a Fee Basis Program; the pharmacy item must be considered as urgent or emergent by the initiating physician; the pharmacy item cannot be reimbursed past a 10 day supply; and the prescription and receipts must be turned in to the Fee Basis Unit. The reimbursement is based upon the U.S. Government’s Red Book cost and no taxes can be reimbursed.
• If you are billed for emergency care services, contact the nearest VAMC Hospital Fee Unit and a representative will assist you in resolving the issue. Under the law, payment from the VA is considered as “payment in full” for the dates authorized.

Claims must be filed with the nearest VA Medical facility to where the services were rendered within 90 days of the discharge date of medical service; otherwise, the claim will be denied because it was not filed in a timely manner. You will need to provide to the VA the following documents from the Emergency Room/Hospital for them to pay for emergency care in a non-VA facility?

• HCFA Form UB92 or other Approved Medicare Form (OCR) (pink and white Medicare Billing Form) from the Hospital Business Finance Office
• Itemized Billing Statement from the Hospital Business Office.
• A complete copy of All Medical Records pertaining to the admission through the date of discharge for this ER Visit/Hospitalization.
• Ambulance Provider HCFA Form 1500 or other Approved Medicare Form (OCR) (pink and white Medicare billing form).
• Ambulance Trip Ticket/Run Report.
• ALL OTHER Provider/Physician Medicare HCFA Form 1500 or other Approved Medicare Form (OCR)

[Source: http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/FAQs/ECFAQ.asp#emergency Nov 09 ++]

“It is our duty to honor all servicemembers, especially those who are injured while serving our country and fighting for democracy,” said Governor Quinn. “This bill helps ensure that every injured hero can focus on recovery by easing some of their financial burdens during a critical time.”

Senate Bill 2148 allows active duty servicemembers, who are Illinois residents, to apply for casualty-based grants from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, a donation-supported fund created in 2003.

To qualify for grants, the active duty member must have been deployed in support of operations as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks and sustained an injury as a result of hostile action. Each grant recipient is awarded a minimum of $5,000 and may only receive one casualty-based grant for each engagement or incident in which injuries were sustained. The Illinois Department of Military Affairs will oversee the program and make grant determinations.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) and Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) and is effective immediately.

The Illinois Department of Military Affairs has had a program for casualty-based grants for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers prior to this legislation. Senate Bill 2148 increases the grant amount from $2,000 to a minimum of $5,000 and includes active duty servicemembers.

The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund legislation was drafted by then-Lt. Governor Quinn, passed unanimously by the General Assembly and signed into law in 2003. It established a check-off box on the Illinois income tax return that allowed residents to make tax-deductible donations directly to the fund. More than 35 states have passed legislation modeled after the Illinois fund.

Thanks to many generous donations by Illinois residents, businesses and organizations, the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund has distributed more than $10.4 million to more than 19,000 military members and families to date. Donations to the fund can be made by visiting OperationHomefront.org . Checks can be made payable to the Illinois Military Family Relief and mailed to: The Illinois Department of Military Affairs, ATTN: IMFRF, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399.

An event will be held to commemorate the handing over of keys to the
benefiting charity. This event will be one of over 70 simultaneous “
Recycled Rides” donations events taking place throughout the country.

——————————————————————————————

This is a Most Generous Contribution to Share and Show how an American Corporation values the Service of our Veterans and Troops. They Do this to Honor those that have paid the Ultimate Sacrifice. Our Beautiful Memorial Trailer will be safely traveling the highways and backroads of small towns and Metropolitan Chicago Land to pay Homage and Tribute to these Amazing American Warriors.

Thank You to both Allstate and Sterling Autobody of Blue Island for your loving restoration of this Profound Contribution.

Respectfully,
Commander Dan Finn MOPH-IL
Ladies Auxiliary President Christina Finn and the Entire State of IL Membership

By David K. Winnett Jr.

The tools of modern warfare are vastly more effective now than in previous wars. They are more precise and infinitely more lethal, and some pose great risk to those who employ them. Case in point is depleted uranium – or DU.

DU is a byproduct of enriched uranium, a highly radioactive substance. Since 1991, the United States has used DU in the manufacture of protective armor plating for tanks and armored combat vehicles, as well as heavy armor-piercing ammunition. We not only shield our combat vehicles with DU, we also fire DU-coated ammunition at enemy vehicles, with quite deadly effect.

Since the use of DU began, a heated debate has continued over the long-term health risks. Upon impact, DU is vaporized. The resulting microparticulate is distributed throughout very large areas of the battlefield. If ingested, there is a risk of kidney, liver, heart or brain damage. The Department of Defense’s own studies have demonstrated genetic, reproductive and neurological damage in rodents exposed to DU. If ingested, DU can remain in the human body for a lifetime, wreaking havoc on internal organs and the central nervous system.

DU was first used in combat during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Now, thousands of veterans of that war suffer from permanent, life-altering chronic illnesses. Is this mere coincidence? After the war, Veterans Affairs saw a huge increase in disability claims submitted by Gulf War veterans. Yet no one was

able to identify a cause. Many veterans were deemed to be experiencing psychosomatic illness, the VA blaming the complaints on post-traumatic stress disorder. Most were told, “It’s all in your head.”

For 15 years I have lived with intermittent bouts of blurry vision, sore muscles often accompanied by uncontrolled twitching of major muscle groups, hand tremors and frequent bouts of extremely debilitating fatigue. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, neuro-myalgias and chronic fatigue. I have an unexplained scar on my right kidney and an enlarged liver, yet I am not overweight, have never been a smoker and my alcohol intake has always been moderate.

DU is not the only suspected cause of Gulf War illnesses. Other possibilities include exposures to low levels of sarin gas accidentally released into the atmosphere during the demolition of seized Iraqi ordnance, multiple vaccinations, non-FDA approved anti-nerve agent pills, smoke from burning oil wells and heavy use of pesticides. Regardless of the cause, let’s use these experiences to reduce the chances of future battlefield exposures, and to work toward improving the quality of life for those permanently afflicted by battlefield hazards.

In 1994, a law authorized the VA to grant “presumption of service connection” for certain symptoms associated with the Gulf War. Qualifying symptoms for compensation include: fatigue, rashes, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiovascular symptoms. When these symptoms cannot be attributed to a known illness, they are to be considered “undiagnosed illnesses,” and presumed to be the result of exposures in the war.

The law begins, “The Secretary may pay compensation .” The problem lies in the word “may.” VA centers across the country are permitted to interpret the law as they see fit. They “may” award compensation, or they may not. The majority of Gulf War-related disability claims are denied. Approval rates also differ from one VA region to another.

Fewer than 4,000 of the 670,000 Americans who served in the Gulf War have been awarded the disability rating prescribed in the law. Yet the VA’s own “Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses” reported last year that one in four veterans are sick. Using VA’s numbers, that’s 167,500 sick veterans. Tens of thousands have been rated with post-traumatic stress disorder, yet less than 4,000 veterans, including myself, have been awarded the “undiagnosed” rating.

The ground war lasted 100 hours. The number of post-traumatic stress ratings far exceeds what would be expected for such short duration. Instead of being referred to neurology or the infectious diseases department in the VA, these veterans have been directed to psychiatry. Many more have given up hope that they will ever obtain assistance from the government that sent them to war. Some have taken their own lives.

Far too many have been unjustly denied medical and disability benefits. For that reason alone, the law should be amended. The word “may” should be changed to “shall.” Those who served in the Persian Gulf War are heroes, one and all. This disenfranchisement of so many courageous American veterans must end immediately.

Regardless of the cause of Gulf War illnesses, Americans should demand that their elected representatives continue to provide annual funding for Gulf War illness research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and to hold the secretary of Veterans Affairs accountable for fairly and consistently administering disability claims submitted by Persian Gulf War veterans.

A free nation has a moral obligation to ensure that its injured or ill veterans are made whole again to the fullest extent possible through a compassionate system of disability compensation and proper medical treatment, no matter the cost.

David K. Winnett Jr. is a retired Marine Corps captain and the chairman of funding development for the National Gulf War Resource Center (www.NGWRC.org). He lives in Torrance.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinions/ci_13751184

Mayfield Banquet Hall 6072 Archer Ave Chicago : Archer / Mayfield

Military Order of the Purple Heart Members & Guests
Annual Christmas party held at The Mayfield Banquet Hall: Archer & Mayfield
The Hall opens at Noon, Meal to be served promptly at 1:00. Fantastic polish Family style Dinner and Klochkies for dessert!

*Santa will be in attendance to meet the little ones, & for photo ops. If you would like your child to receive a gift bring along a small wrapped present!

Entertainment will be the Infamous Joe Cantafio, an amazing performer that has entertained our Troops overseas through the USO! He has wonderful stories to share along with his Talent of Singing and song writing.

In 2004, Cantafio toured Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Africa and UAE with his new band, The 101st Rock Division. A highlight of the tour was performing American “rock and roll” on the steps of Saddam Hussein’s Baghdad Palace. Joe’s solo portion of their show brought standing ovations from the troops. Cantafio said, “During our tour overseas, performing for America’s finest men and women, I felt at home. Some of the greatest people I have ever met, I met on that tour.”
http://www.joecantafio.com/

We will have approximately #100 tickets to this event which will surely be a Sell Out! If you would like to have a Good Dinner with Great Company, and have some Fun & Laughs consider buying your ticket TODAY!

Cost per ticket is $20.00 per Adult / Children under ten years of age the cost is $10. If you are interested in tickets Please mail check written to MOPH Chapter # 575 enter desired # of tickets into memo or attach a little note with how many Adults & or children’s plates.

Mail chceks to:
MOPH Chapter 575
c/o Dan Finn
3400 W 111th Street
PMB # 494
Chicago, IL 60655

Deadline for advanced ticket purchase post marked by November 25th.
NO on site ticket Purchases! We will hold you tickets at the Welcome table for your reservation.

Thank You for your kind consideration to join us at will AGAIN be a positive, Fun Filled afternoon of Fellowship!

God Bless Our Veterans, Troops and Gold Star Families!
The Members of MOPH Chapter & Unit 575 & DAV # 84

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58441966335&ref=ts#/event.php?eid=169462986555&index=1

The Military Order of the Purple Heart will display its mobile memorial wall for three days next week. The wall, which was completed earlier this year, includes pictures of the Illinois soldiers that have been killed while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are 196 faces and names on the wall, and plans are in the works to add about a dozen more. The additions are the Illinoisans who have died in combat since the wall was completed, said Daniel T. Finn, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Illinois.

“We don’t want people to forget the ultimate sacrifice our young women and men have endured, and the pain that families go through. We want to make sure we never forget what they did,” Finn said.

The movable memorial wall has visited several Illinois communities this year. Some of the people who visited the wall have included families of fallen soldiers and people who served with soldiers pictured on the wall.

Finn added that it’s important that the wall includes pictures of the soldiers, and not just names.

“There’s a face with it, and that really brings the reality home,” Finn said.

The display also includes a tribute to all wars America has fought.

People can view the wall from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to noon Thursday.

Other Veterans Day events next week in the Springfield area:

* The annual Veterans Day parade in Springfield is scheduled to kick off at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday. Parade participants will gather near Lincoln Library at Seventh Street and Capitol Avenue and head west down Capitol Avenue. The parade will turn south on Second Street and proceed into the Howlett Building for a short ceremony.

* A ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Camp Butler National Cemetery near Riverton. The keynote speaker will be Lindee Lenox, associate director, National Cemetery Administration Office of Fields Programs.

* A Veteran’s Day Retreat will be held at Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15, Lake Area 25 starting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009. The public is invited.

* Rochester’s annual Community Veterans Day observance will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Rochester High School Performing Arts Center. Retired Vice Admiral Ronald Thunman will deliver the keynote address and Rochester High School students will provide music. Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups are encouraged to attend in uniform and lead the audience in the pledge of allegiance. Refreshments will be served following the program, which is sponsored by the Rochester Lions Club. Admission is free.

* A 36-foot-long model train that is a replica of a train used by the U.S. military from 1950 to 1953 will be on display at the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library facility in downtown Springfield. Lynn Raney created the display. The museum is on the Old Capitol Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth Streets. The train model will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Tuesday and Wednesday. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday.

* A Jacksonville resident who fought at Iwo Jima will recall his experience in a Veterans Day presentation Wednesday at Illinois College. Warren Musch, a 1943 Illinois College graduate, is scheduled to give the program at 6:30 p.m. in the main lecture room of Crispin Hall. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend.

Illinois College will also devote its weekly chapel service to Veterans Day on Wednesday. The 10 a.m. program in Rammelkamp Chapel is open to the public.

John Reynolds can be reached at 788-1524.

http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1156081401/Memorial-wall-display-highlights-Veterans-Day-events-next-week?view=print

Pray for those that are currently Serving in Harms Way, and those that have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice! Pray for their Families, give them your Strength and Support.  They are this Nation’s “Strongest Generation!”  Teach and youngster what this Nation was Founded upon and her History.

Never….. Never….. Forget!

Our G.I.s represent: Courage, Loyalty, Honor, Duty, Respect, Integrity!

Price of Freedom

Worth Watching, Pause, Reflect, Share and Show your Gratitude!

God Bless our Warriors!

Respectfully,

Christina Finn President of the State of IL Auxiliary Military Order of the Purple Heart!