If you’re an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces, you may be entitled to benefits of which you are not aware. In some states, like Arizona, where I reside, proof of that status can be added to your driver’s license by submitting a copy of your DD-214 to the Department of Transportation, without charge.
Along the way, you can get a disabled driver plate for you vehicle and/or a sticker to hang from the mirror to allow you to park in a disabled spot, if your healthcare professional will submit the required certification. The first is being unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest. I’m not even a summer chicken (born in 1942) but have trouble getting around yet I was reluctant to admit that publicly. Nonetheless, I now have a disabled sticker but use it judiciously.
Unlike other parts of America, many establishments in Arizona offer discounts for veterans for food and services. I’m overwhelmed by the number of grownups and children who see my submarine hat and come up to me to say “thank you for your service.” A far cry from the people who used to spit on me when I traveled in uniform during the 60s.
You may be entitled to regular compensation for service-related disabilities. Many who served on the ground in ‘Nam suffered horrific disabilities from Agent Orange. For a long time, the Veterans Administration refused to recognize those as legitimate disabilities but reality has prevailed. In my own case, I applied for disability for tinnitus because my last submarine where I was Chief Engineer (tasked to the Underwater Sound Lab) had an active sonar that put 1,000,000 watts into the ocean. It sounded like a very angry canary. I have constant ringing in my ears but the latest VA evaluation was that my hearing is fine and there is no legitimate cure for tinnitus despite the nonsense seen on the Internet like holding a banana to your ear. I never applied for VA coverage when I resigned my commission in 1969. When I applied for coverage a year ago, the VA tried to register me as male, identifying as female, but that’s another story. I’ve now been awarded disability status for my tinnitus, $197 each month, tax-free. Although the process is long and arduous, I would encourage you to apply for compensation for any service-related disabilities as the result of your service to a grateful nation.
Our Nation is overwhelmed by homeless veterans while foreign invaders pouring through non-existent borders are provided with gift cards, free accommodations, monthly money and an app which allows them free plane tickets to anywhere in America.
There are many organizations for veterans such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars which offer many services to veterans but most charge membership fees.
Be proud of your service!
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