The weather has been miserable this month, but it looks like it may change.
This past month, I had 20 veterans in my office; we had 11 trips to the VA hospitals; and I had 54 phone calls into my office.
I will be at the American Legion Post 72 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday and at the VFW Post 1431 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 20.
I will also be on vacation July 10-16, but if you need to go to the VA, call me at 765-401-0432.
We now have an opportunity to do something great. Major General Richard Chastain is having his 90th birthday celebration 1-5 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Darlington Armory. There will be a special program at 2 p.m. with Gen. Black and a proclamation by Mayor Todd Barton. For those unable to attend, you may send birthday wishes to him at P.O. Box 751, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Post 9/11 combat veterans who served between 2001-2013 have until Sept. 30 to enroll in the Department of Veteran Affairs Health Care program. This is part of the Pact Act that took effect in 2022. It will give compensation to potentially millions of veterans or their survivors who were exposed to toxic chemicals while in uniform, going back to the 1960’s.
The American Legion Post 72 and other veterans groups plan to provide the community with a dynamic, education-based memorial park. The park will focuses on honoring all veterans and their roles in preserving the freedoms and rights that we as Americans hold dear.
Organizers are members of the Crawfordsville-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and considered a non-profit by the Secretary of State. Soon we anticipate approval from the federal government.
Veterans may purchase a brick for themselves or a relative to commemorate their service. Bricks will cost $100. I have the forms or you can pick them up from the American Legion Post 72.
The group’s priority is to acquire the centerpiece of the park — a refurbished 1969 H Model Huey helicopter. Cost, including transportation to the Crawfordsville site, and preparation is $50,000. The goal is to have the Huey in place by Veteran’s Day.
Joe Ellis is the Montgomery County Veterans Officer. He can be reached at the Montgomery County Governmetn Center, 1580 Constitution Row, Crawfordsville, IN 47933; by email at joe.ellis@montgomeryco.net; by landline telephone at 361-4133; or by cell phone at 765-401-0432.
