The Morning Muster A Column For and By Veterans

“Memorial Month” has officially come to a close. The smoke has settled from the Watch Fires that lit up the skies at Bowline Point, Eugene Levy Park, Clausland Mountain, and Piermont Pier. Ceremonies across the county have concluded, parades are all packed up, and banners will come down any day now. With summer approaching, the rest of the country will be focused on pool parties, beach days, and other festivities. But for those of us who lost battle buddies or family members in service, we continue to remember and bear the weight of their absence. They are not forgotten.

After Action Report: The VA Town Hall

On Friday, May 29th, New City hosted the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System and the Rockland County VSA for a town hall to provide local veterans the latest information regarding healthcare, facilities, and benefits. Veterans were given the opportunity to talk directly with Senior VA Leadership about pressing issues they, and many others, have been dealing with. The panel was headlined by Chief of Staff  Dr. Felix Kunjukutty, who provided clinical updates such as medical care and specialized health programs in the Hudson Valley. Additionally, Associate Director Kathleen Dupaya-Metallo followed with construction updates including physical improvements and facility modernization, while Veteran Experience Officer Angel Duncan focused on how the VA processes and reviews healthcare surveys, and Outreach Coordinator Lenox Okall spoke on the enrollment procedures and benefits.

Some key points made that may affect you include: 

New City’s Dr. Escrow is being promoted to Primary Care Team Chief and a new primary care doctor will be joining the team shortly. 

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating over 30% can utilize a VA contracted community urgent care clinic up to three times per year free of cost. To qualify, you must have received care at a VA facility within the past 24 months, and the urgent care clinic must be explicitly in the VA network. While in-network urgent care centers will verify your eligibility at the front desk, please note that any visits to a non-VA emergency room require the VA to be notified within 72 hours. 

If you are not enrolled in VA healthcare it is a benefit veterans have earned and does NOT take away from private healthcare or insurance benefits. Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare do not take any services or benefits away from other veterans, in fact, they are ensuring the VA receives more needed federally funded resources.

What exactly is the PACT Act

A major topic of discussion among veterans recently has been the PACT Act. The PACT Act law, passed in 2022, is the largest expansion of veterans benefits in generations, making it easier for veterans to get disability compensation and free healthcare through the VA for illnesses stemming from toxic exposures. You only need a medical diagnosis and service records showing you deployed to a covered area. Benefits do need to be applied for with a VA disability and compensation claim. If you believe that you may qualify, there are many local services to reach out to provide assistance.

June SITREP: 

There will still be many opportunities for you to get out there and connect with other veterans in Rockland County. The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program hosts weekly walks in the Palisades Mall from the BRIDGES Headquarters on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM. This event provides veterans a safe, indoor environment to exercise and build connections with peers across the community. In addition to this recurring event, the Dwyer Program also hosts a monthly BINGO social for veterans and their families. This month’s social is on Friday June 12th at 11:00 AM at 31 Zukor Road, New City, NY. To RSVP, please contact Nicholas Ambrogio at 845-879-2408.  

The MJHS Vet-to-Vet Café will host a free hybrid event on Monday, June 22, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, titled “Supporting Caregivers and Uplifting Their Stories.” This event features keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Viviana DeCohen, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Veterans’ Services, and will highlight caregiver self-care, VA Caregiver Program navigation, and essential military family resources. Attendees can participate in person at 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY (3rd Floor) or stream live through Zoom. Pre-registration is required, so please contact Ashton Stewart at 917-588-4398 or ashstewa@mjhs.org to secure a spot or receive the streaming link. 

As always, 

Fall Out!