By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
The POW/MIA table drew my gaze as I entered the renovated VFW Post Home in Overton on Saturday, April 7. This table is set for remembrance and is a place of respect in every VFW/American Legion Post. The single red rose is to remember the blood that has been shed during war. The lemon on a plate is a reminder of the bitterness of war.
The salt reminds one of the tears for those left behind. The upside down drinking glass brings memories of those who are no longer here to share a drink. The candle is lit for the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion for those yet accounted for.
VFW Post 8336 was first chartered on October 19, 1946, shortly after World War II ended. The Regional VFW/American Legion Post sat on Moapa Valley Blvd. In 2003 the Elwood Perkins VFW Post 8336 was re-chartered and in 2013 the Post purchased a small building on Whitmore St. that had been built in 1950. That building was previously owned by the Church of Nazarene and was operated as a Sunday School building.
On Saturday, the VFW Post proudly held an Open House for the Post Home Renovation Completion and brought in local, District and State representatives for a Veterans’ Outreach Fair.
The attending representatives offered advice on the benefits offered by the different Veteran’s services and to help attending veterans to obtain those services.
In attendance were several state level VFW officials. This included Matt Taylor a Marine for 13 years (1989-2002) who now serves with the State of Nevada Dept. of Veterans Services. In addition, Pat Adair, who served as a Calibration Repair Technician with the Air Force (1976-1994) and the Asst. Dept. Service Officer, Dept. of Nevada, VFW, was there to help spread the word of the benefits offered to Veterans.
These veterans organizations try to locate and identify veterans to make sure they know of all the benefits available. A veteran might feel all he needs is the insurance Tricare but not realize that they must also sign up with the VA to get all benefits. That enrollment can take place at the Las Vegas main VA hospital at 6900 N. Pecos Rd.
There are also many benefits available for those servicemen who were exposed to Agent Orange and there are several tax exempt status available. Any veteran who was discharged under honorable conditions is eligible to make a claim. Information can be found at www.va.gov.
Taylor can be reached at (702) 486-8041 and Adair at (702) 643-4905.
Attending from the State of Nev. Office of the Attorney General were Ryan McDonald, Office of Military Legal Assistance and Tirzah F. Mathews, Bureau of Criminal Justice – Financial Fraud Unit. They were there to offer the Military Legal Assistance pro bono and to advise that their offices also provide free Wills and Powers of Attorney to Veterans. More information on future workshops is available by calling (775) 684-1100.
Also available for information on veteran’s benefits and health care enrollment were local veterans Bruce Hollinger, Veterans Service Organization Rep. and former Dept. of NV., VFW Commander; and Joe Perez, Post Judge Advocate, who deals with PTSD and Veteran death survivor counseling.
Larry Griffiths spoke on Benefits to Community and Families while Elaine Williams presented a workshop on “Emotional Freedom Techniques.”
During the middle of the day the post members invited the community to an open house of the Post Home facility and served a free lunch.
This was a day dedicated to bringing information to all local veterans and their family members and an opportunity to build comradeship and new friendships with fellow veterans and community members.
