Monday, November 23, 2020

Dues Reminder posted 23 Nov 2020


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   CHAPTER 76

             SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

                    South Florida Chapter 

            

               “The Green Berets”

 

 

                                                                                      

November 22, 2020

 

Hello SF Members and Friends of the Association,

Treasurer Jim Trice would like to remind those to whom it is applicable that annual dues will become due soon.  As you are probably aware, the chapter maintains funds for various reasons including the benefit of us who may find ourselves in need, to purchase products for resale and to donate to worthy causes.

Attached is a handy one page renewal form with all instructions included including who your check is written to and where to mail it.  Jim’s number for questions is: Cell 305-393-2890.

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

Chapter Blog is located at http://SFACH76.Blogspot.com/

 

Chapter Website located at http://www.sfa-southflorida-chp76.org/home.html

 

Please update your email address to prevent interruptions

 

ED PIJUAN 

PRESIDENT

 

ROGER KIDDER 

VICE PRESIDENT

 

AL HERNANDEZ 

SECRETARY

 

JASON PSALTIDES 

SECRETARY

 

JIM TRICE 

TREASURER 

 

TOM HOUSE 

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

_________________

 

DAN POIRIER 

CHAPTER 76 BLOGGER

 

ED BELLO 

CHAPTER 76 WEBMASTER

 

JOE PRUETT 

COMMUNICATIONS




Chapter 76 - Special Forces Association                                                            Renewal/Reinstatement Form (Updated January 14, 2019)

***  It is Important that you remit dues DIRECTLY TO OUR LOCAL CHAPTER  ***

Without your dues, the effectiveness of our Chapter is impaired. Paid Dues cover the period from 1 January to 31 December of each year.  Members who do not pay dues by 31 January become delinquent and are placed on inactive status and will not receive future issues of The Drop or other official correspondence from SFA National.  Remember the strength of the Association rests with its members.

Dues paid after 30 September will be applied to the next year’s dues (and become effective immediately).  (PLEASE PRINT ALL INFO BELOW)

I, (Last) ___________ (First) ____________ (MI) ___ Mbr# __________ apply for renewal of my Membership in Chapter 76 of the Special Forces Association and submit the following information:

*** Life Members pay no annual dues *** All Dues Payable by Check or Money Order ***

___Annual Dues Renewal. $40.00 for a one-year renewal of my membership. Note: Annual renewal is $40.00 if paid before 30 January of each year.

___Reinstatement (if you missed the Jan 31 deadline). $45.00, which includes a $5.00 reinstatement fee along with the $40.00 annual renewal fee.  Note: annual renewals are $45.00 after 30 January of each year.

___Life Membership. $440.00 for a lifetime membership. The $440.00 fee applies to members in good standing only.

___Reinstatement & Life Membership.  $475.00 for reinstatement and lifetime membership of which $440.00 is the life membership fee, $30.00 is for annual dues and $5.00 is for reinstatement.

___Life Membership (65 and over). Date of Birth ___________. $320.00 for a lifetime membership. The $320.00 fee applies to members in good standing only.

___Reinstatement & Life Membership (65 and over). Date of Birth __________. $345.00 for reinstatement and a lifetime membership of which $320.00 is the life membership fee, $20.00 is for annual dues and $5.00 is for reinstatement.

Check payable to: SFA Chapter 76.  Mail to: Jim Trice, 17951 SW 288th ST, Homestead, FL  33030

Please Print:   Your current mailing address including City, State & Zip Code: 

_______________________________________________________________________________________          

Home Phone: (______) _______-_____________ Work Phone :(______) _______-_____________

Email Address: ___________________________ Date of Birth: ________________ 

Retired Rank/Rank at Separation: _____________________ 


Saturday, November 7, 2020

Veterans Benefits Newsletter posted 7 nov 2020





VA Benefits: Direct Deposit | Benefits for Families | Specialty Car Allowance

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The Department of Veterans Affairs logo

November 2020

Veterans Benefits Newsletter

Veterans Benefits Banking Program banner

Switch to Direct Deposit with VBBP

As we celebrate Veterans this November, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) strives to provide benefits faster and better than ever before! If you're a Veteran, you can receive your VA benefit payments in a more secure, reliable, and inexpensive way by signing up for the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP). With VBBP, you can have your VA benefits deposited directly into your bank account instead of receiving a pre-paid debit card or paper check!

 

If you don’t have a bank account, visit benefits.va.gov/banking or call one of VBBP’s participating banks. If you have a bank account but are not using direct deposit, visit va.gov/change-direct-deposit or call 1-800-827-1000 (711).

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Service member hugs her child and husband
 

Discover Family Benefits

If you're the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or Service member, you may qualify for certain benefits like health care, life insurance, and money to help pay for school or training. Find out which VA benefits you may qualify for and how to access them.


Veteran watching the new VBA webcast
 

Learn the Latest From VBA

Watch the latest webcast from the Under Secretary for Benefits, Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., to hear how VBA exceeded 2020 performance goals and objectives despite this year's challenges. Learn how VBA’s efforts and accomplishments have made this our #BestYearEver for delivering the benefits Veterans have earned and deserve.


Veteran talking with VA health care provider
 

Understanding VA Claims

You may qualify for VA disability benefits if you have physical or mental health conditions that developed as the result of your service. To receive these benefits, you must file a claim to determine your disability rating. Learn more about the VA claims process.


Disabled Veteran getting out of his specially adapted vehicle
 

Adapt Your Car with VA

If you have a service-related disability that prevents you from driving, VA can help you buy a specially adapted vehicle or adapt an existing vehicle to make it drivable for you! Learn how to apply for automobile allowance and adaptive equipment grants.


Veteran on the phone with a Solid Start representative
 

Get a Solid Start

If you're in the first year of separation from military service, you will receive three phone calls from VA Solid Start representatives who can help you find the resources, services, and benefits that are right for you. Find out why you should take the call!


Woman looking at VBA’s Instagram feed
 

Follow Us on Instagram

Did you know VBA is on Instagram? Be one of the first to learn about benefit updates, VBA job openings, events, and inspiring stories of fellow Veterans by following @vabenefits on Instagram today!

Veterans listening to the VFW Podcast

Introducing the VFW Podcast

Tune in to hear representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) share one-of-a-kind perspectives and insightful conversations about critical issues, challenges, and legislation affecting Veterans, Service members, and military families. The VFW Podcast is available on the first Wednesday of every month and can be found on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Pandora, and the VFW website. Starting in 2021, the VFW Podcast will air on the first and third Wednesday of the month.

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Change Your VA Direct Deposit Information Online

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Veterans and Gold Star Families Will Soon Have Free Admission to All National Parks posted 29 Oct 2020

Veterans and Gold Star Families Will Soon Have Free Admission to All National Parks

Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard hike in Acadia National Park.
Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard hike down Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park for physical conditioning during the first week of the Soldier Wellness Education and Training (SWEAT) program, July 14, 2017. (U.S. Army/ Spc. Jarod Dye)

National Parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands will all be free for veterans and Gold Star family members to use starting Veterans Day, Interior Department officials announced today.

The change extends to veterans and Gold Star families the existing free admission policy already in play for active-duty troops and their families, as well as Guard and Reserve members. It waives both entrance and day use recreation fees for lands managed by the Department of the Interior nationwide.

While not all of the system's 2,000 public recreation areas charge entrance fees, many of the more popular destinations do, such as Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. The fees vary by location. Instead of paying individual entry fees, visitors can purchase an annual "America the Beautiful" pass for $80. Seniors over age 65 can purchase a lifetime pass for $80.

Disabled veterans qualify for the Access Pass, which gives free admission and a 50% discount on some costs such as camping or boat launch fees. Other passholders pay out of pocket for those costs.

The new program expands free park access to millions of honorably discharged veterans. To gain access, veterans can present a DoD ID card; a Veteran Health Identification Card; a Veteran ID card; or a state-issued card displaying veteran status.

While the free pass for active-duty troops can be used by their dependents, the new free-access rule for veterans does not extend to their immediate family members.

That means that at parks where entrance fees are paid per vehicle, veterans and their families will be able to enter free using the veteran pass. At parks where admission is paid per person, however, only the veteran will be able to enter free.

Free entrance for Gold Star family members is limited to those designated as "Gold Star" by law. To meet the definition, families must be the "next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a 'qualifying situation,' such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces," according to the release.

But Gold Star family members will not be required to produce proof of qualification -- at least for now. 

"For the time being, we will be using an honor system," Ben Goldey, a spokesman for Interior told Military.com in an email. "An individual who identifies themselves as a Gold Star family member at an entrance facility will be thanked for their service and sacrifice and admitted free of charge."

Read next: 2020 Veterans Day Deals, Discounts and Freebies

This story was updated Oct. 29 to reflect a clarification to admission rules for Gold Star family members.

 

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Veterans Day Discounts for Veterans posted 24 Oct 2020

Free barbeque sandwich at Mission Barbeque on Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11.  Enjoy and thank you for serving our country.

Military Advantage

Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

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Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Okay, it's true that there's ALWAYS a catch - except on Veterans Day.

Many businesses honor Veterans and Servicemembers by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services and dining. Most businesses require some proof of military service, this includes a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers) or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform.

Be aware that not all franchise locations participate in their national chain's Veterans Day programs, be sure contact your nearest establishment to be sure they are participating.

The following islist of current veteran and military discounts, Buy One Get One (BOGO) offerings, and even includes some honest-to-goodness free meals:

Veterans Day Restaurant Offerings:

Abuelo's Mexican Food - Abuelo's offerings vary by region, be sure to call ahead to see what the discounts or freebies are included.

Applebees - All veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu at Applebee's on Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

Chili's - Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special limited six item menu on Veterans Day.

Golden Corral - Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on November 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Hooters - All Veterans and active duty eat free. The free entrees must be selected from a special Veterans Day menu.

Krispy Kreme – All active-duty, retirees & veterans get a free doughnut on Veterans Day. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants - Participating McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants restaurants offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on a space available basis, online reservations are highly recommended.

Outback Steakhouse - Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day.

UNO Chicago Grill - UNO is offering a Buy One Get One free offer to Servicemembers or Veterans with a military or veteran I.D. or in uniform or with a photo of themselves in uniform. The Veterans Day BOGO offer includes a free entree or individual pizza, with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value.

Texas Roadhouse – Free meal from opening until 4pm. on Veterans Day. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Veterans and Servicemembers Buy one get one free from Nov 11-14. Contact your nearest location for more details on their Veterans Day BOGO offer.

Veterans Day Retailer Offerings:

The Dollar General - Veterans, Servicemembers (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families will receive a 10-percent discount with a Veterans Day coupon. The coupon may be found in store circular ads or by asking a sales associate.

Home Depot  - Offers a 10 percent discount to all Veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Lowe's - All veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The offer is available in stores only and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

Sam's Club - Sam's give away 36,000 collapsible Hugo Canes on Veterans Day to military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Sam’s Club will require membership for this offer, but proof of service may be necessary.

 

Year-Round Veterans Discounts:

Foot Locker - Veterans, Servicemembers (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card receive a 20 percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports -- even on sale items. Learn more about the Foot Locker Veterans Advantage offer.

Home Depot  - Offers a 10 percent discount (up to a $500 maximum) to all active military, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Learn more about the Home Depot Military Discount program.

Lowe's - Lowe’s offers a year-round 10 percent discount offer for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled Servicemembers and their immediate families. All other veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000. The offer can't be used on sales at Lowes.com, on previous sales or on sales of services or gift cards. You must present a valid military I.D. card to receive the discount.

Sports Clips Haircuts - The men's hair salon chain is offering a free haircut to active military and veterans on Veterans Day.