From The News |
| Global War on
Terrorism Medal DoD announced February 26 the final approval of the Global War on Terrorism Medals. These medals recognize the significant contributions members of the armed forces bring to bear in combating terrorism in all forms throughout the world. Presidential Executive Order 13289 previously authorized the medals which come in expeditionary and service versions. The expeditionary version is for those who deploy to designated combat areas, while the service medal is for those who serve in support of operations to combat terrorism. Service members must have deployed on or after September 11, 2001, and to a future date to be determined. Initial award of the expeditionary medal is limited to personnel deployed abroad in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The area of eligibility encompasses the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (less the lower Horn of Africa); Middle East; eastern Turkey; Philippines; Diego Garcia; and all air spaces above the land and adjacent to the water areas. For more information contact your nearest military personnel center. |
| More Pay for 1,500
Soldiers Approximately 1,500 soldiers are eligible to receive an extra $1,000 a month for being involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers in selected units, mainly from Germany, are eligible to receive an extra $200 in hardship duty pay if they have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, including staging time in Kuwait, for 12 consecutive months or a total of 12 months within a 15 month period. That will increase to $300 for those soldiers. The package also includes the option of receiving an extra $800 a month in assignment initiative pay, or a follow-on stabilized assignment equal to the total time spent in theater. This pay is not prorated. Soldiers are eligible for the entire month’s pay even if they re-deploy in the middle of the month. Again, not all soldiers are eligible, unless assignment to the designated units identified by the DoD. The option the soldier chooses will be documented in a signed contract. DA Form 4187, Personnel Action, will have to be completed stating what option the soldier chooses, $800 or stabilization. After June 1, 2004 the incentive package will no longer be offered. Current selected units are:
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2004 Battle Of Midway Commemoration The Naval District of Washington will commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Midway fought on June 4, 1942. The first Japanese naval defeat since 1592, the Battle of Midway, has been heralded as the turning point of World War II, allowing the United States to shift focus toward Europe and the Normandy Invasion. All are invited to learn about this historic battle and hear from the sailors who lived to tell the tale on Friday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. at the Navy Memorial, located at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. Please contact Naval District Washington Public Affairs Office at (202) 433-2678 for additional information. |
| VA
Names Two New National Cemeteries VA has announced the formal names for two New National Cemeteries. The Department of Veterans Affairs, now in the midst of the largest cemetery expansion since the Civil War currently operates 120 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico, 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than 2.5 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict — from the Revolutionary War to the current war against terrorism — are buried in VA’s national cemeteries on more than 14,200 acres of land. Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. Other burial benefits include a burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker – even if they are not buried in a national cemetery. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet Click Here or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000. The newly designated National Cemeteries are: Georgia National Cemetery Currently there are no open national cemeteries in Georgia. The two closest open VA national cemeteries are Chattanooga National Cemetery, 118 miles away in Tennessee, and Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 130 miles away in Alabama. The 110-acre initial construction phase calls for 17,200 full-casket gravesites, 12,000 pre-placed crypts, a 3,000-unit columbarium, 765 sites for in-ground cremated remains and a scattering garden for cremated remains. The plan also includes construction of an administration and maintenance complex, three committal service shelters, and a public information center with electronic gravesite locator and public restrooms, a cemetery entrance area, flag assembly area, memorial walkway and donations area and infrastructure elements including roadways, landscaping, utilities and irrigation. Construction is estimated to begin in late 2004 and burials are expected to begin by late 2005 in an initial burial area. This burial section, separate from the overall construction project, allows burials to begin during construction of the cemetery. The cemetery staff will conduct initial operations from a temporary office, committal service shelter and equipment shed until the construction is completed.
“Naming this wonderful new facility the Great Lakes National Cemetery emphasizes its status as an enduring shrine for the veterans of the entire region,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. The name was submitted by the Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors and approved by Principi. The 22-acre initial construction phase calls for 6,500 full-casket gravesites, 5,200 pre-placed crypts, a 1,700-unit columbarium and 1,750 sites for in-ground cremated remains. The plan also includes construction of an administration and maintenance complex, two committal service shelters, a public information center with electronic gravesite locator and public restrooms, a cemetery entrance area, flag assembly area and infrastructure elements including roadways, landscaping, utilities and irrigation. Burials are expected to begin during mid-2005 in an initial burial area. This burial section, separate from the overall construction project, allows burials to begin during construction of the cemetery. The cemetery staff will conduct initial operations from a temporary office, committal service shelter and equipment facility until the construction is completed.
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Social Security and Divorce A number of people have asked questions about Social Security entitlements as they relate to divorced spouses. The following information provides an overview for divorced spouses. If divorced after at least 10 years of marriage, you can collect retirement benefits on your former spouse's Social Security record if you are at least age 62 and if your former spouse is entitled to or receiving benefits. If you remarry, you generally cannot collect benefits on your former spouse's record unless your later marriage ends (whether by death, divorce, or annulment). If your divorced spouse dies, you can receive benefits as a widow/widower if the marriage lasted 10 years or more. Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older will not affect the benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits. In general, you cannot receive survivor’s benefits if you remarry before the age of 60 unless the latter marriage ends, whether by death, divorce, or annulment. If you remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse’s record. When you reach age 62 or older, you may get retirement benefits on the record of your new spouse if they are higher. Your remarriage would have no effect on the benefits being paid to your children. If you are collecting survivor’s benefits, you can switch to your own retirement benefits (assuming you are eligible and your retirement rate is higher than the widow/widower's rate) as early as age 62. In many cases, you can begin receiving retirement benefits either on your own or your spouse’s record at age 62 and then switch to the other benefit when you reach full retirement age, if that amount is higher. Social Security representatives are available to answer questions on these rules toll free at 1-800-772-1213, or for the deaf and hard of hearing, at toll-free "TTY" number: 1-800-325-0778. Social Security Fast Facts |