Columbus veteran Randal Mulligan of Galloway received his gift from Santa a little early this year thanks to our friends at Home Depot! Mulligan had a brand new stove installed in his home on Dec. 19 as his old stove barely functioned. “All I could do was heat up water on the one burner that worked,” he said. The stove was purchased using funds provided by a grant to MVRC from Home Depot for veterans in need of appliances and minor home repairs. Mulligan is relieved to have a working stove in his home just in time for the holidays. “Now I can cook anything,” he said. Save Save Save

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced in a press release today (Dec. 12) that it is amending its regulation on copayments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions. The VA currently charges non service-connected veterans either $8 or $9 for each 30-day or less supply of outpatient medication. According to the press release, the VA will be switching to a tiered system on Feb. 27, 2017 that will keep outpatient medication costs low for veterans. The tiers are as follows: Tier 1: Preferred generics – $5 for a 30-day or less supply Tier 2: Non-preferred generics including over-the-counter medications – $8 for a 30-day or less supply Tier 3: Brand name – $11 for a 30-day or less supply These changes apply to veterans without a service-connected condition, or veterans with a disability rated less than 50-percent who are receiving outpatient treatment for a non-service connected condition, and whose annual income exceeds the limit set by law.  Copayments stop each calendar year for veterans in Priority Groups 2-8 once a $700 cap is reached. More information on the new tiered medication copayment can be found here. https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=VA-2016-VHA-0003-0001

Dan Dunaway, our veterans services specialist at our Hamilton location, is ushering in the holiday spirit with his “giving tree” he has set up near the entrance to the center. Several families filled out wish lists and Dunaway’s “elves” are now busy fulfilling those wishes. A festive tablecloth, holiday candy and fresh cookies are also there to greet veterans who come through the door. The place feels a little more like home and puts people coming in for help at ease immediately. A few weeks ago, Dunaway solicited wishes from the children of several of our families in need and hung them on the tree. Volunteers from the local community are now making sure our families have presents under their trees on Christmas Day. Little touches from people who truly care are what makes the holidays special. Many thanks go out to Dunaway and his generous volunteers. Happy holidays!

75 years ago today the Japanese fleet launched a coordinated attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the attacks will be attended by Pearl Harbor survivors and WW II veterans. Speakers will include Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and author and military historian Ian Toll. Today’s events will include a wreath presentation, a parade, a memorial concert and more. A detailed list of events appears below. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration: 7:45 a.m. HST (12:45 p.m. EST)  to 9:15 a.m. HST (2.15 p.m. EST)  at Kilo Pier, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Attack on Hickam Field Ceremony and Reception: 7:50 a.m. HST at Atterbury Circle, Hickam AFB Annual Wreath Presentation: 8 a.m. HST at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Freedom Bell Ringing: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. HST at USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park Public Tours of the USCGC Morgenthau: Noon – 4 p.m. HST at Aloha Tower Pier 9 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band Performance: Noon -1 p.m. HST at Battleship Missouri Memorial Fox Sports Pearl Harbor Basketball Invitational – Seton Hall vs. California, Princeton vs. Hawaii: 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. HST at Bloch Arena USS Oklahoma Memorial Ceremony: 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. HST at USS Oklahoma Memorial, Ford Island 25th Infantry Division Commemoration Ceremony: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. HST at Fort DeRussy Double Interment Ceremony: 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. HST at USS Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and Public Ceremony: 4:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. HST at Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki Watch a live stream of today’s events on the U.S.Navy blog. More about the attacks and the anniversary. Pearl Harbor Veterans Reflect On How America’s Wars Have Changed Since 1941 (Task & […]