Veterans Services

WE ARE VETERANS

We left home as teenagers for an unknown adventure.

We loved our country enough to defend it and protect it with our own lives.

We said goodbye to friends and family and everything we knew.

We learned the basics and then we scattered in the wind to the far corners of the Earth.

We found new friends and new family.

We became brothers and sisters regardless of color, race or creed.

We had plenty of good times, and plenty of bad times.

We didn’t get enough sleep.

We smoked and drank too much.

We picked up both good and bad habits.

We worked hard and played harder.

We didn’t earn a great wage.

We experienced the happiness of mail call and the sadness of missing important events.

We didn’t know when, or even if, we were ever going to see home again.

We grew up fast, and yet somehow, we never grew up at all.

We fought for our freedom, as well as the freedom of others.

Some of us saw actual combat, and some of us did not.

Some of us saw the world, and some of us did not.

Some of us dealt with physical warfare, most of us dealt with psychological warfare.

We have seen and experienced and dealt with things that we can’t fully describe or explain, as not all of our sacrifices were physical.

We participated in time-honored ceremonies and rituals with each other, strengthening our bonds and camaraderie.

We counted on each other to get our job done, and sometimes to survive it at all.

We have dealt with victory and tragedy.

We have celebrated and mourned.

We lost a few along the way.

When our adventure was over, some of us went back home, some of us started somewhere new and some of us never came home at all.

We have told amazing and hilarious stories of our exploits and adventures. (At least to us they are amazing and hilarious)

We share an unspoken bond with each other, that most people don’t experience, and few will understand.

We speak highly of our own branch of service, and poke fun at the other branches.

We know however, that, if needed, we will be there for our brothers and sisters and stand together as one, in a heartbeat.

Being a veteran is something that had to be earned, and it can never be taken away.

It has no monetary value, but at the same time it is a priceless gift.

People see a veteran and they thank them for their service.

But at least in my case the gift of service was to myself.

When we see each other, we give that little upwards head nod, or a slight smile, knowing that we have shared and experienced things that most people have not.

So, from myself to the rest of the veterans out there, I commend and thank you for all that you have done and sacrificed for your country.

Try to remember the good times and forget the bad times.

Share your stories. 

But most importantly, stand tall and proud, for you have earned the right to be called a Veteran.

HEADS UP VET’S

I wanted to share a great opportunity from Eastern Propane & Oil, which has once again launched its annual “Hometown Hero” Fuel Giveaway Program. This initiative provides free fuel for the season to a deserving individual.

Eligible nominees include Active-Duty Service Members, Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMTs.

Anyone may submit a nomination – this is a wonderful way to recognize a veteran in our community who could use a helping hand this winter.

You can learn more and submit a nomination here: Season of Fuel Giveaway – Eastern Propane & Oil

Please consider sharing this with your members, local veterans, and first responders in your community.

LOCAL TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR VETERANS AND/OR WIDOWS AND SPOUSES

“HERO Act: An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Service members and Veterans”

VA expands access to GI Bill benefits for Veterans who served multiple periods of service

Persian Gulf War Veterans’ Bonus | Mass.gov – (Massachusetts wants to help its veterans of the Gulf War. If you lived in Massachusetts before entering the military, served honorably, and within August 2, 1990 to April 10, 1991 you may be eligible for the Persian Gulf War Bonus)

 Two important points of information relative to military ID cards…retired or otherwise.

1.  If you are retired or the dependent of a retiree and still carrying a ‘bluish’ colored ID card you MUST get a new ID as yours will no longer be valid in January 2026. It doesn’t matter whether it says  “Indef” on the expiration date or not. You must get a new ID by the end of the year. We suggest you not wait until later in the year as the crush of procrastinators will no doubt be an issue. Should you have any questions, call the Hanscom AFB MA DEERS Office (Pass & ID) at: 1-781-225-1320 and/or 1-781-225-1324.

2.  The Hanscom Pass & ID Office (Bldg 1305) will soon be making changes in how it handles “walk-ins” and “appointments.”  Previously the DEERs office only took ‘walk-ins,’ but the following will now be SOP for those requiring new ID cards effective Tuesday, 25 March 2025:

                  0800-1200 hrs.           BY APPOINTMENT ONLY     

                  1200-1500 hrs.           WALK-INS

Finally, you will find attached the latest official USID (United Services ID) information regarding issuance of new ID cards across the country. It may or may not be useful to you personally depending on your situation and how computer savvy you are.

SENIOR PARKING PASS

SETH MOULTON WEBSITE/NEWSLETTER

TOWN OF NAHANT – WATER/SEWER/TRASH ABATEMENT FORM

VETS prepares America’s veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses for meaningful careers.

Enroll in VA Health Care Apply online: VA.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction Apply over the phone: Call VA toll-free at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411), Option 2. Apply in-person: Visit your nearest VA medical center (https://www.VA.gov/find-locations).

Submit a VA disability compensation $$$ claim

• Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a VA benefits specialist.
• Submit your VA disability claim online.
• Get help from a VA accredited representative or Veteran Service Organization.

With everyone you know who may benefit, including Veterans, caregivers, service members and survivors.

We’re making millions of Veterans eligible for VA health care under the PACT Act. Here’s what YOU need to know.

• If you served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, or Afghanistan, you can enroll.
• If you deployed to any combat zone after 9/11, you can enroll.
• If you deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, you can enroll.
• And even if you never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or serving on active duty here at home—by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more—you can enroll, too.

Bottom line: all Veterans who meet the minimum service requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards—at home or abroad—are eligible to enroll in VA care.

VA provides the best and most affordable health care for Veterans in America – and this is your chance to apply. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than those who get their care elsewhere. And copays can be as low as $0 for prescriptions, urgent care, outpatient care, and more.  

Choosing VA means getting everything you need in one spot. Come see why 90% of patients said they trust VA for their health care. Even if you don’t need this care today, you may need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. And once you’re in, you have access for life.

Burial at Sea: A Time-Honored Tradition

Most people think a burial at sea is something that happens only in the movies, but it’s an option that is still widely used today. For many sailors and Marines, there is no more honored choice for their mortal remains than burial at sea. Since the burial is from an active military ship, family members are not able to attend the ceremony in person. However, some family members choose to observe the ceremony from a civilian ship that is positioned nearby. For families who want to attend the service, civilian organizations offer burial at sea from a civilian vessel.

Who Is Eligible

While anyone can have their remains buried at sea, burial at sea from a U.S. military vessel is limited to:

1. Active-duty military
2. Retirees and veterans who were honorably discharged
3. Civilian personnel of the Military Sealift Command
4. Dependents of active-duty members, retirees and veterans

Following the ceremony, the commanding officer of the ship conducting the burial at sea will send the family a personal letter describing the exact date and time of the ceremony, the burial flag, pictures or video of the ceremony, and a chart showing the longitude and latitude where the service was performed.

The family may provide a burial flag, which will be flown at half-mast on the ship during the committal service, and then returned to them. If they don’t provide a flag, the Navy will provide one but won’t return it to the family after the ceremony.

Application Process

After the eligible person dies, the next-of-kin or other authorized individual (relative, clergy, funeral director, etc.) should contact the Navy and Marine Corps Mortuary Affairs office at 833-330-6622 to request a packet and for additional information.

The request must include:

• A photocopy of the death certificate
• The burial transit permit or the cremation certificate
• A copy of the DD Form 214, discharge certificate, or retirement order

For more information see the Navy website or call 833-330-6622

https://form.jotform.com/240923157535053

‘Millions’ of Veterans Exposed to Environmental Hazards Will Be Eligible for VA Health Care on March 5

Reflections of the Black Military Experience: A Panel Discussion on the Past, Present, and Future of Black Americans in the Military

VA Plans to Expand Agent Orange Disability Benefits to Cover Exposure in a Dozen New States

Veterans Census Card and Exemption Forms

Please take a moment to register with us. We have provided the Census Card to help make the process easier. You may download our Veterans Census Card, print it out and mail it to us at the Town Hall.

A Veterans Exemption Form is also available for download. Please visit the Assessor’s page for more information on this Exemption.