BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION (BVA)
FLORIDA REGIONAL GROUP, INC.
3801 Coco Grove Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133
Newsletter - January 2004
FRG President’s
Message: I would like
to start off the New Year by explaining to our newly acquired Blinded Veterans, what the
BVA is all about and just a very few of the services and benefits that the BVA has
obtained for us over the years. I also feel that, from time to time, all Blinded Veterans
need to be reminded of just how much work and dedication has gone into making the BVA what
it has become today, by the BV’s that came before us.
The
BVA was founded in 1945 by a group of World War II Blinded Veterans, who rightly
determined that if Blinded Veterans were to get the services and benefits they needed,
they would have to join together to work with the Administration, Congress, and the VA. At
that time, the VA operated no Blind Rehabilitation services for Blinded Veterans. There
were no VA Blind Centers, no VIST Programs, or BROS. and few prosthetics and sensory aids
for Blinded Veterans. The BVA worked with President Truman. Congress, and General Bradley,
then head of the VA, to get Blind Rehabilitation Services established in the VA. The first
VA Blind Rehab Center was established at Hines in 1948. All of the VA Blind Centers
established since then, resulted from the efforts of the BVA with the VA and Congress. In
the middle 1960’s, the BVA and VA cooperated in a research project, started in
Florida, which resulted in the establishment of the VIST Program in 1967. Initially, there
were part time VIST Coordinators at 60 (2 in Florida) VA medical facilities. It quickly
became apparent that there needed to be full time VIST Coordinators at most VA medical
facilities to provide the services that BV’s needed and deserved. Through the
BVA’s efforts, there are now 92 (9 in Florida) full time VIST Coordinators and 52 (4
in Florida) part time VIST Coordinators in the country. The BVA has secured, through
Congressional legislation, changes in the issuance of prosthetics and sensory aids, for
BV’s, receiving treatment from VA medical facilities. In Florida, the FRG-BVA,
working with other organizations, secured passage of legislation providing total Homestead
Tax Exemption, without income limitation, to 100% service connected disabled veterans, and
total Homestead Tax Exemption to individuals restricted to a wheelchair or who are legally
blind, with an income limitation. These are only a very few of the hard won services and
benefits that our BVA predecessors have acquired for us. Therefore, it is only prudent
that we all continue to maintain the highest traditional standards of the BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION.
In closing, I would like to wish you
all a Very Happy New year and encourage all Blinded Veterans that are interested in
continuing to assist the BVA in its on-going efforts to maintain and enhance the benefits
for Blinded Veterans, to become actively involved in the BVA. Remember, ask not what the
BVA can do for me, - But what can I do for the BVA and my
fellow Blinded Veterans. Terry King, FRG President.
FRG
Auxiliary President’s Message: This year has really flown by. I
bet that is what everyone is saying. I, for one, can say that it is true. Before we know
it, April 30th will be here and we will have our FRG
State Convention in Daytona. I hope to see all of you there. I would like to make a
suggestion. It is very difficult to find transportation, especially if you can’t
drive. Greyhound is good, as a last resort. Terry and I use it most of the time. Here in
my location, at times, we have the advantage of utilizing the VA van. Perhaps this can be
done in your area. Also, someone has told me, “it isn’t inconvenient to take
someone with them in their car, because when they go, the back seat goes too. Why not? It
is not too soon to start planning. That is my little food for thought this month.
I
again would like to remind our family members, sponsors, and friends to join our
Auxiliary. Peg Toomey, our FRG Auxiliary Treasurer, will be at our Tampa meeting. She will
have applications handy and it will be a good opportunity for you to take advantage and
join at that time.
AS
I was trying to find a special topic for my message this month, I went on the Department
of Veterans Affairs own computer page. If you haven’t been on the VA web site lately,
I recommend it. There is a lot of interesting information, which concerns every veteran
and their family. One interesting thing was a new Benefits Book, to read and down load on your computer.
There is even a link called “VA Kids” and a new
link called “My Health”. If you are like Terry and me, we have been trying to
find the newest Benefit Book and there it is.
I
would like to take this time to wish all of you a Very
Happy New Year and may all of your dreams come true. Joanne King, FRG Auxiliary President.
FRG
Meeting Notice: The next meeting of the Florida Regional Group will be held on
Saturday February 7th, at the Enlisted Club at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The
meeting will begin with a period of socializing at 11:30 AM, followed by lunch at noon.
For lunch, you may have either Marinated Breast of Chicken or Sliced Roast Beef and Salad,
Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, Rolls & Butter, Iced Tea or Coffee, and Dessert.
The price of the lunch will be $5 per person,
including tax and tip. Beer, wine, and mixed drinks will be available for an additional
charge.
FRG
President Terry King will preside at the meeting following lunch. Representatives from the
Department of Veterans Affairs will be on hand to provide information about services and
benefits of interest to BV’s and their families. A National Legislative Up-Date will
be presented. FRG activities for the remainder of the year, including the FRG State
Convention, will be discussed. We urge you to share your suggestions and recommendations,
regarding these plans. information about the FRG Auxiliary will be presented.
Due
to tightened security at MacDill AFB, we must provide the Security Guards at the gate, a
list of all who will be attending. In addition, the Enlisted Club has asked us to notify
them as to the number who will be attending and the type of luncheon desired by February
4th. Please make your reservations prior to that date by writing to Central West District
Director Bill Geden at: 622 East Forestbill Place, Hernando, FL 34442 or call Bill at:
(352) 341-6875. In Clearwater, you may call Ben Wells at (727) 536-1762 or in St.
Petersburg, call Tony Ramirez at (727) 321-5523. In
addition, you may call Charles Nieberding, Tampa VAMC VIST Coordinator, at: (813) 972-7674
or toll free (888) 716-7787 ex 7674 or Bay Pines VIST Coordinator Marilyn Nolan at: (727)
398-6661 ex. 4516. The restaurant needs the reservation information in order to prepare
properly for our meeting. Please enter the MacDill AFB Main Gate at the South Dale Mabray
Highway entrance. Dale Mabray Highway is a North to South main artery which may be
accessed from I 275 at exit 23 B. Those coming from the St. Petersburg or Clearwater areas
may take the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Eisenhower Blvd., turn South and go to Kennedy
Blvd., Then turn left and proceed Eastward to Dale Mabray Highway. Then, turn right and
proceed Southward. The Air Force Base is a good 7 to 8 miles from I 275 or Kennedy Blvd.
From the North, (Ocala etc.) I 75 or from the East (Orlando, etc.) on I 4, continue until
they merge with I 275, then continue as above. You cannot miss MacDill AFB if you are
going south on Dale Mabray, as that highway ends at the base. Continue through the Main
Gate, bear left on North Boundary Road, follow it by the Exchange and Commissary to the
third traffic light. Turn right at the light and the Enlisted Club should be on your
immediate right. Parking is available adjacent to the Club. Begin planning now and bring
another Blinded Veteran with you and join us at the MacDill AFB Enlisted Club on Saturday,
February 7th. We need your suggestions and look forward to meeting you there.
US Legislative Up-Date: In the
December FRG Newsletter, we reported that the Senate and House of Representatives had
passed appropriations measures for the Department of Veterans Affairs which differed in
the amount provided for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Subsequently, a
Conference Committee met to reconcile the differences. A compromise was reached and the
appropriation included in an omnibus Appropriations bill covering all of the Departments
and Agencies in the government. The House passed that Omnibus Appropriations bill but the
Senate did not.
Prior to their recess on December
12th, the Senate and House of Representatives completed action on the MediCare
prescription measure. That measure was passed by both the Senate and House and signed by
the President. Then the senate and House passed Continuing Resolutions (CR) to fund the
government through January 20th. When Congress returns after the holidays, it will have to
complete action on the Omnibus Appropriations bills.
It is understood, that the 2.1 % Cost
of Living Adjustment for VA Compensation, Pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
(DIC) and Social Security benefits took effect in December. Consequently, this COLA should
appear in your January checks.
During much of 2003 Congress was
involved in the war in Iraq and the MediCare Prescription Drug bill. Consequently the time
spent on the appropriations for other departments and agencies was reduced. it is hoped
that when Congress returns in January, it will fulfill its responsibilities and complete
action on the Omnibus Appropriations bill.
Florida Total Homestead Tax Exemption
Reminder: It’s
that time of year again. At this time, each year, we remind Blinded Veterans of two Total
Homestead Tax Exemption Statutes available to qualified individuals in Florida. This may
be old information to some of you. However, we have many Blinded Veterans move into
Florida each year. In addition,, with Florida’s older population, many veterans lose
their vision each year. Consequently, we are including this information in this
Newsletter. The Florida Regional Group worked many years to obtain and improve these
benefits.
FS
196.081 provides a total Homestead Tax Exemption to 100% service connected disabled
veterans. The exemption has no income limitation. In the event of the veteran’s
death, the exemption is continued to the surviving spouse, as long as he or she does not
remarry. In the past the spouse would have to remain in the same home to continue the
exemption. Several years ago, the statute was amended and the surviving spouse may keep
the exemption on that home or a different home as long as the new home is assessed at the
same or a lower amount. To qualify for this exemption, a veteran should obtain a statement
from the VA Regional Office certifying that be or she is a 100% service connected disabled
veteran. Take that certificate to the County Tax Appraiser’s Office before March 1st.
This total Homestead Exemption will be renewed each year. If you have qualified for this
Total Exemption in the past and have not received notification of the renewal by the end
of January, contact your County Tax Appraiser~ s Office.
FS
196.101 provides a Total Homestead Tax
Exemption to certain individuals who are restricted to a wheelchair for mobility ~ who are
legally blind. This total Exemption has a total household income limitation of $21,755 in
2003. FS 196.101 has a provision which provides an annual increase in the income
limitation equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index. It is probable that this
amount will be increased by about 2.1 % for 2004. To qualify, obtain a statement from
two Florida licensed Ophthalmologists stating that you are legally blind. Take the
statement to your County Tax appraiser’s Office before March 1st. You will be
required to certify your income annually to maintain the Total Homestead Tax Exemption
under FS 196.101
Please join us at the next FRG meeting on Saturday, February 7th, at the
Enlisted Club at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Remember to make your reservations
for that meeting by calling Bill Geden, Ben Wells, Tony Ramirez, Charles Nieberding, or
Marilyn Nolan by February 4th. If you make a reservation and can’t come, please call
one of the above and cancel, so that we won’t have to pay for meals not used. Bring a
fellow Blinded Veteran and make an afternoon of it.
Join us for a most interesting, informative, and enjoyable time at the MacDill Air
Force Base Enlisted Club. The FRG need your ideas and suggestions. We look forward to
meeting you in Tampa on February 7th.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 7th FRG meeting at
the MacDill AFB Enlisted Club Tampa
March 13th
FRG Meeting - Elks Club in Pompano Beach
April 30 - May 2
FRG State Convention in Daytona Beach Shores
August 10-14 BVA National
Convention in Reno, Nevada
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Terry King
FRG President
Joanne King
FRG Auxiliary President
George Stocking
Editor