MY FIRST DEPLOYMENT

N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 4 The Lebo Light Page 4
Cont from page 3
MEN IN THE ARMED FORCES
They say that the “Flag” is going to break
up next month and that we are going to
come home. I hope that this is true and boy,
you don’t need to worry for when I find out if
it is the truth, you will know.
Well, I guess, that is about all for now so
will close and continue tomorrow. I hope the
weather there is a lot quieter than it is here.
If you think that you have seen storms you
should be out here where you really would
see something. I like storms. They seem to
be friendly. Remember how you used to be
scared of them?
September 22
We are going to leave October 6 for Pearl
Harbor and will get there the 29th where
some of us will be reassigned and some of
us will get to come home.
We left Sasebo this morning at six and we
just now have anchored at Nagasaki at a
quarter till ten and will leave here this
evening at 1900.
All my love, Bill
As near as I, Lennis, can figure out my Dad
was serving on the USS Auburn during
these letters, he also served on the USS
George Clymer.
Lebo Community Food
Pantry News.
Monday evenings 5-7
Wednesday afternoon 3-5
Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9-11
Anyone living within the 66856 zip code is
welcome to come once each month .
Donations of basic food and personal items
are always welcome and cash donations are
used to order from the Kansas Food Bank
each month. You can donate fruit, eggs,
butter, cottage cheese, canned tuna &
chicken, peanut butter, sugar free items, tea
bags or instant, deodorant, dish and laundry
soap, shampoo, toothpaste, trash bags.
Items can be dropped off at Baptist Church.
Once again, thank you to our little community
for the generous donations to help others!
BURIAL AND MEMORIAL BENEFITS
AVAILABLE TO VETERANS
The Veterans Administration offers a number of burial and memorial benefits to
veterans. If their discharge from the military was under conditions other than
dishonorable, these need to be verified. You’ll need a copy of the veterans DD form 214
“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” which can be requested online at
archives.gov/veterans.
If eligible, and a veteran wants to be buried in one of the 131 national or 93 state VA
cemeteries the VA benefits provided at no cost to the family include a gravesite; opening
and closing of the grave; perpetual gravesite care; a government headstone or marker; a
United States burial flag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn
(after the funeral service, the flag is given to the next-of-kin as keepsake); and a
Presidential memorial certificate, which is an engraved paper certificate signed by the
current President expressing the country’s grateful recognition of the veteran’s service.
National cemetery burial benefits are also available to spouses and dependents of
veterans.
If veteran is cremated, the remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as
casketed remains.
If veteran is going to be buried in a private cemetery, the benefits available include a
free government headstone or marker, or a medallion that can be affixed to an existing
privately purchase headstone or marker; a burial flag; and a Presidential memorial
certificate.
Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not, however, taken care of by the
VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family.
Another benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national or private
cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes folding and presenting the
U.S. burial flag to the veteran’s survivors and the playing of Taps, performed by two or
more uniformed military members.
The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests.
Depending on what you want, certain forms may be need to be completed which are
always better to be done in advance. For a complete rundown of burial and memorial
benefits, eligibility details and required forms call 800-827-1000.
In addition to the many burial benefits, some veterans may also qualify for a $734
burial and funeral expense allowance, if hospitalized by VA at time of death, or $300, if
not hospitalized by VA at time of death, and a $734 plot –interment allowance to those
who choose to be buried in a private cemetery.
To apply for burial allowances, you’ll need to fill out VA form 21-530 “Application for
Burial Benefits.” You have to attach a copy of discharge document (DD 214 or
equivalent), death certificate, funeral and burial bills. They should show that they have
been paid in full. You can download the form at va.gov/vaforms.
LEBO’S 15TH ANNUAL
VETERAN’S DAY TRIBUTE
The 15th Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute at Lebo School will be at 2:00 pm on Veterans
day, Tuesday, November 11 in the large gym. Veterans from each of the five military
branches will be recognized.
A reception for Veterans, their family and friends will be served at 1:30 pm in the school
commons area. Contact Lebo elementary school if you need more information at
620-256-6161.
The program is free and open to the public.