The Wright Memorial Chapter of the AFA continues to improve and expand our support to the Dayton Veteran Administration (VA) Hospital as well as publicize information of interest to all our veteran members. AFA representatives attend the quarterly VA Voluntary Services (VAVS) quarterly meetings. George Simons, (937) 429-9466, is the Representative and Vita Eonta, (937) 429-5642, is the Deputy Representative to the VAVS.

In February, the AFA sponsors an activity to support veterans during the week of Valentine’s Day and Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week at the Dayton VA Medical Center. In June, the AFA cosponsors a Summer Picnic with the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) at the VA nursing home for all the patients at the VA Medical Center and in December cosponsors a Christmas Party with AFSA at the nursing home for all the patients at the VA Medical Center.

The Wright Memorial Chapter also provides support to the Dayton VA by annually donating additional funds to purchase items from their unfunded Needs List. Beginning in 2006, the Wright Memorial Chapter began to support The Ohio Department of Veteran Services Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs by cosponsoring their Women Veterans Conference.

For more information on the Dayton VA Medical Center and map of the campus go to the following link: http://www.dayton.va.gov. For information regarding other Health and Veteran Services go to: http://www.dayton.va.gov/links_text.asp and for the Center for Women Veterans go to: http://www1.va.gov/womenvet. The Ohio Department of Veteran Services: http://dvs.ohio.gov also has a comprehensive list of veteran benefits.

2011 EDITION - FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS, DEPENDENTS, SURVIVORS

Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

All Ohio veterans who served on active duty with U.S. armed forces, including the Ohio National Guard, anywhere in the world during specified periods of time. could be eligible for The Ohio Veterans Bonus. The active duty must be for purposes other than training and applicants must have been legal residents of Ohio when they went on active duty and also must be Ohio residents when they apply for a bonus. To apply for the bonus, applicants should go to www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov, and complete the online application. Ohio’s public libraries are prepared to assist with the online application if applicants do not have Internet access. In addition, staff at Ohio’s County Veterans Service Offices is available to assist in the application process.

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Since 1994, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services' Advisory Committee on Women Veterans has served to “locate, educate and advocate for all women veterans who served in the United States military.” The committee is dedicated to outreach through various initiatives including the creation of an informational Web site, the organization of a statewide women veterans conference and the promotion of benefits and superior health care for women veterans. The committee serves as a focal point of information for all women veterans. The committee acts as a liaison and advocate on behalf of women veterans with state legislators, veterans affairs administrators and county veterans service offices. Members of the committee ensure the programs and policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs remain open to women and are mindful of those elements of the veteran experience unique to women. To register as a woman veteran or to volunteer with an outreach program in your region, go to: http://dvs.ohio.gov/events_committees/women_veterans_advisory_committee.aspx.

MilitaryConnection.com offers the most comprehensive online directory of military resources and information. They provide education information including military schools, military education and federal schools. They also provide some excellent tools such as Military Pay Charts, Salary Calculator, Cost of Living Calculator and the Military Pay Calculator. There is information on military loans and military insurance too. They offer a Virtual Job Fair featuring top jobs for military, Veterans and those seeking federal employment, a Directory of Employers featuring thousands of employers, Job Postings and Live Job Fairs. There is a database of Military Commissaries & Exchanges and Free Coupons that you can print to obtain outstanding savings. The Virtual Mall offers lots of values too.

The VA is offering bronze medallions to Veterans not buried in a national or state Veterans cemetery, or those without a government grave marker. Each service has its own medallion that is attached to existing, privately purchased headstones or markers, signifying a deceased's status as a Veteran. The VA is pleased to offer this option that highlights a veteran’s service and sacrifice for our country. For more information go to http://www.cem.va.gov/pdf/medallionqa.pdf or http://www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmtype.asp

The Wright Memorial Chapter supports numerous events each year. As new events approach, please check here for information.

Please call (937) 257-0580 or use our online calendar.