The board members of the Southfield Veterans' Commission can be reached at
(248) 796-4VET (4838) or in writing at
Southfield Veterans' Commission
City of Southfield
P.O. Box 2055
Southfield MI 48037-2055
southfieldvets@cityofsouthfield.com
Updated 10/30/09
"Vets for Business Seminar" Sponsored by General Dynamics, this year’s conference is being held from 0800 to 1600 hours, 23 Oct. at the Michigan State University Management Education Center in Troy, MI. A continental breakfast will be available in the morning and lunch will also be served around noon. The day-long event will focus on two tracks of entrepreneurial development: Information on how to start a business will include a discussion on financing a start-up in these tough times. There also will be workshops on developing and expanding your veteran owned business and how to do business with county, state and federal agencies. Those signing up on or before Oct. 15th will be charged $30. After that date, the fee increases to $40. To register visit their Ticket Center
"Friends of Michigan History Annual Salute to Veterans" The Friends of Michigan History will present their annual Salute to Veterans at the Michigan Historical Museum Auditorium, 702 W. Kalamazoo Street, Lansing Michigan on Sunday, November 8, 2009. The program begins at 2:00 PM. Contact Paul Tarr at 517.319.2580 for additional information.
"VA Release of 2009 Veteran's Day Poster" The Veteran's Administration has released the offical 2009 Veteran's Day poster. To download this year, or previous years, poster go to http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp
"Veteran's Day Parade" The 2009 Veteran's Day Parade will take place on Saturday, November 7th, starting at noon at Grand Circus Park. This years parade is being hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America, Post 9. All veteran groups and individuals are invited to either participate or just watch along Woodward Ave. For more information regarding the parade, or to participate in the parade, see the parade official website: http://metrodetvetcoalition.t35.com/parade%20info/
"Assistance for jobless Veterans" Are you a veteran and need a job? The State of Michigan has a veterans employment specialist located right here in Southfield at the John Grace Center, 21030 Indian St. His primary function is to assist Southfield veterans in finding a job. Contact Mr. Matt Hagaman at 248-796-4569 or email him at hagamanm@michigan.gov.
"Free Veteran Legal Clinic" Are you having issues with the VA? Need some legal help with all the VA paperwork? The University of Detroit-Mercy offers free legal services for veterans. For more information contact U of D-M at 313-596-9854 or email them at costelma@udmercy.edu.
"Veterans History Project" The Southfield Veterans' Commission is currently working with the Library of Congress and the Southfield Public Library gathering interviews for the American History Series. We are asking all veterans to share their stories with everyone across the country. Currently interviews are being done every Wednesday afternoon at the Southfield Library. The veteran also receives a copy of the interview for their own family record on DVD. You do not need to be a Southfield resident to participate in this program. Veterans wishing to be interviewed need to contact us to schedule a date and time at the above phone number or email address so that the necessary paperwork can get started. You will need to sign a release form for the Library of Congress, the Southfield Public Library, complete a bio form, etc. As of October 2009 144 vets have been interviewed. More information on the Veterans History Project can be found at www.loc.gov/vets
"Veterans Aid & Assistance Program" Are you taking care of a veteran? Have a veteran in a nursing home? Have the spouce of a veteran in a nursing home or taking care of at home? A little known program of the VA might be able to help. VA Program S-38 might be able to supply to you up to $20,000 a year toward the care of a veteran or spouce, or widow of a veteran. Naturally there are qualifications to meet, more then can be covered here. Details on this program and assistance on how to apply can be found at www.veteranaid.org/apply.php.
"New GI Bill" The Veterans Education Act of 2008 was passed last summer. This affects all veterans who have served since 9/11/01 and goes into affect on August 1, 2009. The American Legion is sponsoring a web site to provide information to current veterans on what this new program will provide. To find out more about the New GI Bill go to www.mygibill.org.
"Veteran Housing Project" Are you a disabled or a low income veteran and having problems cutting the weeds in your backyard, fixing a leaking sink, need a wheelchair ramp installed, etc. The Oakland County chapter of the Rebuilding Together program may be able to help. Their volunteers will come to your house, cut your weeds, fix that leak, build you a wheelchair ramp. For more information goto http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/content/organization/detail/743/ or call Mr. Jerry McKay at 248-889-5450.
"Social Security Benifits for Wounded Veterans" If you are a disabled veteran, and receiving benifts from the VA, you may still be entitled to extra benifits from the Social Security Administration. For more information check with the Social Security Administration local office or goto: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors/
"Social Security Benifits for Vets prior to 1967" In many cases veterans that served prior to 1967 did not get full credit for their service with the Social Security Administration. If you are retiiring be sure to take a copy of your DD-214 to the SSA office. If you are retired take a copy of your discharge papers to the SSA to get your earning record corrected. This might mean more per month for you.
"Free Tuition for Returning Vets" Western Michigan University's trustees have initiated a Returning Veterans Tuition Assistance Program designed to help recently discharged veterans with the cost of college. The program waives tuition for the first semester on campus. The current cost for a semester of tuition for a typical full time student is $3,088. Eligible veterans must begin school at Western Michigan University within six months of discharge from active duty for purposes other than training. Contact Western Michigan University for more information.
"Combat Veterans Program" The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit will soon start a program to aid combat veterans from WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars. This support will include assistance with readjustment to life after deployment, support groups, assessment and treatment of PTSD, couple and family counseling, etc. If you feel this program might be of benefit to you or a family member please call the program coordinator Ms Kelly White at 313-576-1000, ext 63519, or program social worker Ms Christina Hall at 313-576-1000, ext 64962.
