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Craig — There are a number of organizations offering trips or assistance for trips to Washington, D.C. Try Honor Flight at www.honorflight.org or The Greatest Generation Foundation at www.TGGF.us.

Valor Awards

There has been some confusion concerning what is a decoration for valor in combat to support post traumatic stress disorder claims filed because of combat. The decorations on the list below are the only decorations recognized for valor in combat. If the veteran has one of these decorations, he or she does not need a diagnosis of PTSD, as exposure to combat is conceded by the VA. Veterans only need to complete VA form 21-0781 detailing stressful incidences to the best of their ability and provide a "Stressor Statement" detailing the symptoms they're experiencing. There can be other acceptable evidence in the form of official Unit Records, Diaries and Ship's Deck Logs on occasion.

• Air Force Cross

• Air Medal with "V" Device

• Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device

• Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device

• Combat Action Badge

• Combat Action Ribbon (Note: Prior to Feb. '69, the Navy Achievement Medal with "V" Device was awarded.)

• Combat Aircrew Insignia

• Combat Infantry/Infantryman Badge

• Combat Medical Badge

• Distinguished Flying Cross

• Distinguished Service Cross

• Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" Device

• Medal of Honor

• Navy Commendation Medal with "V" Device

• Navy Cross

• Purple Heart, and/or

• Silver Star.

Veterans benefits expiration dates

Some benefits do expire quickly. Here are two that are important to recently discharged vets.

Combat Vet VA Health Care: 5 years after discharge for nonservice connected care.

Combat Vet VA Dental Care: 180 days after discharge for nonservice connected care.

WWII nostalgia posters

There are many available at this Web site: http://afsf.lackland.af.mil/Images/WWII/index.htm. They are downloadable and most print clearly into 8-by-11 or 11-by-17 size. Use them for publicity. Viewers react very positive to them, both elders who remember seeing them and younger people.

Redstone College looking for veterans

Jeremy Montgomery, the Military Admissions Rep for Redstone College, sent this e-mail to my office, and I am passing it on:

I am a military rep with Redstone College, and we are trying to service our veterans with some outreach programs. We are offering a 10 percent tuition discount and no enrollment fees to our veterans. Forty percent of our student population is classified as veterans or active guard and reserves. I am looking for creative ways to present our college and our career training to veterans. I have been invited in the past to discuss life after the military, resumes, career training, financing school, etc. and have been provided the opportunity to plug our school for a few minutes at that end of these presentations. I would like any advice and help that you would be able to provide. Our financial aid team has found ways for some of our students to go to school for nothing a month and have our graduates placed in one day in salaries ranging from $30K to $100K.

Jeremy Montgomery

Military Admissions Representative

Redstone College

Cell: (303) 483-3489

Office: (303) 464-2314

For information on these programs and/or other veterans' benefits, call or stop in the Moffat County VSO office at 480 Barclay St. (west of the Bank of Colorado parking lot). Call 970-824-3246 or use the fax 970-824-7108. Our e-mail address is veterans@moffatcounty.net. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Other times can be arranged by appointment only.Bring a copy of your separation papers (DD-214) for application for VA programs and for filing at our office.