Service Office

DETROIT OFFICE - Suite 1215, 477 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226-2588 313-964-6510 FAX: 313-964-6545

Gary L. Putinsky, Assistant Director, Detroit Office (5666) E-mail: gary.putinsky@va.gov

David J. Gay, Assistant State Service Officer (3243) E-mail: dave.gay@va.gov

David W. Patrick, Assistant State Service Officer (3651) E-mail: david.patrick@va.gov

Martha M. Abdelsalam, Assistant State Service Officer (7546) E-mail: martha.abdelsalam@va.gov

Toby L. Beanblossom, Assistant State Service Officer (796) E-mail: toby.beanblossom@va.gov

ATTENTION TO ANYONE GOING TO THE VA HOSPITAL IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN WHO IS GOING TO BE STAYING OVER NIGHT AND HAS FAMILY MEMBERS NEEDING TO FIND HOTELS IN THE AREA. PLEASE CLICK ONTO THE LINK BELOW TO FIND HOTEL AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE LOCATIONS AND A MAP OF THE ANN ARBOR AREA BELOW.

NOTE: WHEN YOU DO GET TO THE HOSPITAL....PLEASE CHECK IN WITH THE HOSPITAL SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICE TO GET THE NECESSARY LETTERS FOR ANY TYPES OF DISCOUNTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

Chairperson Dan Crocker called the monthly meeting of the Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council to order at 1:00 p.m. and provided a printed agenda to all present.

Chairperson Crocker led everyone in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag of our Nation.

Secretary Donald Lada made the roll call of officers and organizations present.

Chairperson Crocker stated the minutes of the August 1, 2007 meeting were e-mailed or mailed to the membership. Also, additional copies were available to members present. Chairperson Crocker asked for approval of the minutes.

Motion to approve the August 1, 2007 minutes, as printed and mailed/e-mailed, was

Treasurer Peter Sardo presented the treasurer’s report. The printed report was distributed to the advisory council members showing a beginning balance as of July 31, 2007 of $29,731.90 (details of receipts and expenditures were included in the report) and the ending balance as of August 31, 2007 is $30,445.40.

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report as printed, subject to audit, was

Cemetery Director Richard Anderson announced that through August 31 there have been a total of 3279 interments made at the cemetery. During the month of August almost two hundred interments were made. Currently that averages about eight interments per day. Phase I-A has been completed, but there are a few items to complete on a punch list. The major difficulty with the Public Information Center is basically technical issues and these should be resolved within the next ten days. During the next three years we will continue to work out of the temporary trailer. The focus on Construction Phase I-B has begun with the final design stage to be done by September and approved, with bids being accepted by November or December. Construction could begin by April of 2008. This Phase will provide an additional 26,000 spaces for grave and columbarium interments. Construction traffic during this Phase will use an entrance off Lahring Road, so there should be few interruptions during the normal daily activities at the cemetery.

Cemetery Director Anderson noted that there were Honor Guard Canteen Fund expenses on the treasurer’s report. He stated that this is money well spent and thanked the council for taking on this responsibility. Coffee, water and snacks provided are appreciated by the honor guards. Each month twenty two different honor guard units come out to the cemetery, which totals more than two hundred different people, plus active duty military personnel. Cemetery Director Anderson acknowledged Adrian Cervini, Sr. for his many supplemental food provisions he has contributed to the honor guards.

Treasurer Sardo stated all the money used for the Honor Guard Canteen Fund has been donated by families to the Honor Guard.

Adrian Cervini, Sr. asked if it would be possible to have another gun rack provided in the closet at the committal shelter for the honor guard. Assistant Cemetery Director Goldsmith will see that this is done.

Cemetery Director Anderson and Assistant Cemetery Director Goldsmith have been busy during the past month with veteran’s affairs in various locations in Michigan and out of state.

The Polish Legion American Veterans will be dedicating a Memorial Pathway Monument at the cemetery on Sunday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcomed.

Gerald Check thanked Cemetery Director Anderson for his presentation at the PLAV State Convention.

In June of 2008 a unit from Central Office will be on site for an organizational assessment inventory to review and assure that cemetery processes, etc. are according to National Standards.

Chairperson Crocker thanked Cemetery Director Anderson and Assistant Cemetery Director Goldsmith for their assistance and counsel. Also, appreciation was extended to Assistant Cemetery Director Goldsmith for organizing and scheduling the honor guard.

By-laws Committee Chairperson Christopher Sardo presented and read the third reading of the proposed revisions to the By-laws. ( A copy of the proposed revisions to the By-laws will be placed in the official advisory council records)

Motion to approve the proposed revisions of the By-laws was made by Christopher

Sardo and seconded by Dan Burrows. There being no question on the motion; the

Christopher Sardo made the motion to suspend the regular order of business and

Jim Tuohy seconded the motion. There being no question on the motion; the motion

Christopher Sardo suggested on the Constitution and By-laws layout that for clarity the advisory council would consider using Roman numerals for the Constitution and Arabic numerals for the By-laws.

Christopher Sardo made a motion to use Roman numerals for the advisory council

Constitution and Arabic numerals for the By-laws and Jim Tuohy seconded the motion. There being no question on the motion; the motion was approved by all present.

Cemetery Director Anderson will provide a new copy of the Constitution and By-laws to the advisory council membership to reflect these changes.

Adrian Cervini, Sr. made the motion to return to the regular order of business and

Pauline Bickersteth represented the committee and stated there will be a committee meeting immediately following the advisory council meeting today. A draft program layout was reviewed by the advisory council. Cemetery Director Anderson stated the fly over still is waiting a formal response.

Chairperson Crocker called upon Jim Tuohy to report on the nomination committee slate of proposed candidates to the advisory council according to Roberts Rules of Order. The following advisory council members have agreed and are willing to serve, if elected:

Chairperson Crocker explained the election process, provided ballots and instructed the twenty organizations present on the voting procedure. Gerald Check, Ray Johnston and Alexander Crowe will be tellers to count the vote.

Nominations are now open for Chairperson. Jeanne Thick has been nominated. Are

there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. If elected

Nominations are now open for Vice Chairperson. Donald Lada has been nominated.

Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. If elected

Nominations are now open for Secretary. Stephanie Kruger has been nominated. Are

there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. If elected

Nominations are now open for Judge Advocate. Daniel Crocker has been nominated.

Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. If elected

Nominations are now open for Provost Marshall. Christopher Sardo has been nominated. Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. If elected will you serve? He will.

Nominations are now open for Chaplain. Dan Burrows has been nominated. Are there

any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. If elected will you

Nominations are now open for Three-year Trustee. Adrian Cervini, Sr. has been

nominated. Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed.

presented by the nomination committee was made by Ray Johnston and seconded by Edward Schultz. There being no question on the motion; the motion was approved by all present.

Chairperson Crocker stated all newly elected council officers would assume their responsibilities and duties at the October meeting.

Treasurer Sardo reminded the advisory council of the need to follow through with the need for a six passenger golf cart, display board, plaque maker and the opportunities to sell commemorative coins.

Chairperson Crocker stated we are seeking additional quotes on a plaque maker and Dennis Rahn was researching a possible source. Also, a request for a six passenger golf cart has been placed on our web page.

Web Page – Chairperson Crocker stated the web page is up and running. It can be accessed at www.greatlakesntlcemeteryadvisory.com Cemetery Director Anderson has reviewed the information with his staff and has suggested a few changes in regards to re-posting directions, information format, etc. This suggestion will be reviewed with any other ideas and suggestions to be implemented.

Audit – Trustee Tuohy stated the audit has been completed. Only one suggestion was made to Treasurer Sardo and his work is appreciated by the audit committee and advisory council.

Display Board – Trustee Tuohy is awaiting a response from an individual and will forward any information to Secretary Lada.

Chairperson Crocker thanked everyone for their support to the council and himself resulting in making a difference in a lot of people’s lives.

Assistant Cemetery Director Goldsmith thanked Chairperson Crocker for his leadership over the past many months.

Vice Chairperson Jeanne Thick acknowledged a recent article that appeared in the Detroit Free Press highlighting Advisory Council member Bettie Johnson.

Cemetery Director Anderson requested all newly elected officers to stand and he administered the officers’ obligation as officers of the Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council.

*PLEASE NOTE – The next regularly scheduled GLNC Advisory Council meeting on October 3, 2007 (Wednesday – 1:00 p.m.) will be held at Holly VFW Post #5587, 201 Airport Drive, Holly, Michigan.

The following instructions were given to VA adjudication personnel in the last few days. Encourage veterans to file claims if they served in Vietnam and have been diagnosed with hypertension. Please ensure that the veteran understands that it may be months before VA makes a decision as to whether to grant a presumption. Explain that should VA decide to establish a presumption it may still be another 6-12 months after that date before VA can decide their claim.

Note: if a Vietnam veteran is already service connected for diabetes and is newly diagnosed with hypertension; file the claim alleging that it is secondary to the diabetes.

Hypertension and Herbicide Exposure

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies recently published its biennial update, entitled Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2006. In the report, the IOM found only limited or suggestive evidence of an association between exposure to Agent Orange and the subsequent development of hypertension. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) must now determine whether a presumption of service connection is warranted. If the Secretary determines that such a presumption is warranted, VA will propose the appropriate regulations. If the presumption of service connection is not warranted, VA must publish a notice to that effect in the Federal Register.

In the interim, VA will not adjudicate or develop a claim for high blood pressure based on exposure to herbicides. Instead, VA will establish end product (EP) 695 with a diary of 120 days (4 months).

At a later date, VA will provide sample language for an acknowledgement letter to send to the veteran and, if any, his/her representative.

VA will develop and adjudicate as normal other issues received with claims of hypertension related to herbicide exposure.

Assistant Director

VFW Service Office

Detroit, Mi 482226

Subject: Defense Finance & Accounting Service Aug 07 Newsletter RE CRSC&

CRDP

On September 1, 2006, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and

the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) finalized plans for disabled

military retiree retroactive pay, commonly called the VA Retro program. The

program is designed to pay eligible military retirees any retroactive money

due as a result of increases in their percentage of disability. These

payments include adjustments to Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC),

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP), and DVA disability

compensation. Individual amounts will vary based on differences in

disability amount and length of retroactive period.

No action is required by the retiree to initiate the VA Retro investigation.

DVA is providing DFAS with the eligible retiree Social Security Number.

Both organizations are working together to provide eligible retirees with

their full entitlements to both DVA compensation and CRSC or CRDP.

As of August 2007, over 98,000 cases have been processed or about 75 percent

of the original 133,000 cases. To date, the DVA has paid $133 million and

DFAS has paid $28 million with the average payment being $1,638. We are now

processing what are considered to be the more complex accounts. These

involve multiple DVA rating adjustments, shifts by retirees between CRDP and

CRSC, ex-spouse pay entitlements, and other issues that require lengthy

record searches. Completion of all the original cases is anticipated to be

no later than November 15, 2007.

Military retirees may call 1-877-327-4457 for issues concerning their

entitlement to VA Retro. Trained customer service representatives are

available at this phone number, which is exclusively for VA Retro questions,

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET).

Questions concerning disability percentages should be directed to DVA at

1-800-827-1000.

DEPARTMENT SERVICE OFFICE STAFF