VETERANS

VETERANS

VA increases payment

TOWSON, Md. — The Department of Veterans Affairs has increased its payment in the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit by $100 over last year, according to Senior Helpers, which partners with Veterans Express, a national nonprofit service, to help families navigate the VA application process.

Most veterans who need assistance qualify for this benefit because the aid and assistance program is a pension benefit and is not dependent on service-related injuries, Senior Helpers said.

In 2009 a veteran is eligible for up to $1,644 per month from the VA; a couple can qualify for up to $1,949 per month, and a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,056 per month, an increase of almost $60 from last year.

Reserve officers to meet

AUSTINTOWN — Maj. Michael Stull, professor of military sciences with the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Youngstown State University, is guest speaker at the Thursday meeting of Mahoning Chapter 42, Reserve Officers Association. Stull’s topic is the re-structuring of the YSU/ROTC program for 2009.

The meeting is at the Manor Restaurant, state Route 46 and Kirk Road. Refreshments are at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Active and retired reserve officers from all branches of the service may attend. Also at the meeting, delegates to the National ROA Convention in Tampa, Fla., and the Department of Ohio State Convention in Fairlawn on April 24-26 will be selected.

Veterans meetings

The United Veterans Council of Mahoning County meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday at American Legion Post 15, and the Mahoning Veterans Memorial meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Log Cabin at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Sokol elected commandant

Frank A. Sokol of North Lima has been elected 2009 commandant of the Tri-State Marine Detachment. Other elected officers are: John T. Jubak of Liberty, senior vice commandant; Alan Kozak of Boardman, junior vice commandant; and Harry Dampf of Canfield, judge advocate. Richard A. Mitchells of Greenford is the junior past commandant.

Officers appointed by the commandant are: Frank H. Griffiths of Canfield, paymaster; Michael A. Shepherd of Boardman, adjutant; John J. Kirsch of Youngstown, sergeant at arms; Dale Baringer of Austintown, chaplain; and Robert M. Brienik of Austintown, historian.

The officers will be installed at 7 p.m. April 7 at ITAM Post 3, 115 S. Meridian Road.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Reserve Airman James M. Haupt (Austintown Fitch High School, ’08), son of James and Laura Haupt of Austintown.

Army: Pvt. Glenn E. McMillan (David Anderson Junior-Senior High School, Lisbon, SSRq08), son of Glenn and Teresa McMillan of Lisbon.

XItems of note for the Armed Forces Digest can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or e-mailed to alcorn@vindy.com.