VA implements new regulations to protect veterans

Washington, DC  (September 21, 2018) — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently updated regulations related to how it governs the oversight of beneficiaries, who, because of injury, disease, or age, are unable to manage their VA benefits, and the appointment and oversight of fiduciaries for these vulnerable beneficiaries.

Managed by VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration, the new regulations, which took effect in August, update and reorganize fiduciary rules consistent with current law and VA policies, and clarify the rights of beneficiaries and the roles of VA and fiduciaries in the program.

“These new regulations clarify the protections in place for veterans and Family members who apply for or are currently part of our fiduciary care program,” said Robert Wilkie, VA secretary. “This furthers our commitment to care for those who have given so much to our country.”

Among other things, the new regulations clarify beneficiaries’ rights, including the right to appeal fiduciary appointments and other fiduciary decisions, the 4 percent limit on fiduciary fees, and the procedures to remove a fiduciary, for instance, when a beneficiary demonstrates the ability to manage their own funds or when VA determines that the fiduciary misused VA benefits.

This is the first full revision of the fiduciary activities regulations since they were first published in 1975. To read the complete fiduciary activities regulations, visit HERE

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Bloomington Vietnam Vet to be honored

Bloomington, IN (September 21, 2018) — On Sept. 22 at 10:30 a.m., on the courthouse square in Bloomington, Ind., there will be a special re-dedication to honor Army Specialist Gerald R. Ross.

Ross served in the Vietnam War where he was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 8, 1969. He was just 25 years old at the time and left behind a wife and four children.

Ross grew up in Grover Hill and eventually moved to Bedford, Ind. where he first enlisted in the National Guard. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent overseas to Vietnam.

In August of 2016, the Monroe County Veterans Affairs office in Bloomington, Ind. held a special commemoration event for the soldiers that lost their lives in Vietnam that were from the county.

An e-mail had been sent from the office to the curator of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. to verify they had all the names of the service members. It was then discovered that Ross had been mistakenly left off of their list. Although he lived in the Paulding area, he was originally from Monroe County, Indiana.

Once they found out this information, they set out on a mission to find the family of Ross so they could properly honor him and add his name to their memorial.

On Aug. 10 of this year, the Monroe County Veterans Affairs office put a picture on their Facebook page of Spec. Ross in hopes of finding some of his family members. They had conducted a search in the Bloomington area and could not find any living relatives.

The Facebook nation then went to work and within a few hours, information came flooding in. They were able to locate his children and other family members.

The re-dedication is open to anyone who like to attend and there will be a luncheon afterwards provided by the VFW.

SOURCE: Paulding County Progress

Salutes: Master Sergeant Thomas R. Davis, Sr.

Denham Springs, Louisiana (September 20, 2018) — Master Sergeant Thomas R. Davis, Sr. (retired), a native of Beech Grove, Indiana, and a resident of Denham Springs, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at the age 86. He led a storied life of extraordinary depth and purpose. Exactly half of his life was dedicated to the service of our country.

He served in times of conflict and times of peace. He was involved in historic events spanning his lifetime, born during the Great Depression, coming of age during WWII, and participating in the rebuilding of Germany during the Berlin airlift. He was in the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. He served during the Cold War. His tours of duty included Iran, Panama, Spain, Thailand, and stateside assignments. He was a self-made man with an interest in history, human geography, and his fellow human beings. 

He was a dedicated patriot. During his time of service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm for accomplishing deeds of valor or displaying heroic conduct while fighting the enemy. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Flora Edney Voivedich Davis of Denham Springs, Louisiana; sons, Thomas R. Davis, Jr. of Winterhaven, Florida and Jason Davis and wife Sherry Davis of Inverness, Florida; daughter, Cynthia Davis Gravois and husband Edward Gravois, Jr. of Zachary, Louisiana; grandchildren, Edward Gravois, III, Geraldine A. Gravois, Jason Davis, Jr., Stephanie Lindley, Ashley Davis and Thomas R. Davis, III; brothers, William Davis and Bobby Davis. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Corey Davis; parents, Claude and Ada Davis; brother, Claude Davis, Jr.; sister and brother-in-law, Nellie Riffle and Jimmy Roy Riffle; and granddaughter, Sarah Beth Davis. 

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation at Rabenhorst East, 11000 Florida Blvd. in Baton Rouge, on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, from 9-11 a.m. A funeral service will be held in the chapel at 11 a.m. officiated by Pastor Jeff Hilliard. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in his name to St. Joseph Hospice, 10615 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809. 

SOURCE: Living Parish News