Greetings!

 

We hope you had a great August! Congressman Kim enjoyed a month packed full of conversations and visits across the community, including during his town hall, Good Governance Week, at the Hamilton VFW, and at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. As always, our discussions from this busy month help inform our actions and service to our community.

 

This month, we were also excited to celebrate the one year anniversary of the PACT Act. Over 300,000 veterans have been granted benefits so far. We are committed to continuing our work to get all eligible veterans the aid they deserve and need.

 

As always, we hope you find the following updates and resources helpful!

 

UPCOMING: PACT ACT INFORMATION SEMINAR & CLAIMS CLINIC

 

On Saturday September 2nd at 10 AM to 2 PM, the Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting a PACT Act info seminar and claims clinic at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. At 3425 Broidy Road, Fort Dix, New Jersey 08640, veterans, servicemembers, and dependents can stop by to learn more about toxic exposure screenings, information about VA entitlements and benefits, compensation, and VA healthcare.

 

Celebrating One Year of the Honoring Our Pact Act

 

The Honoring Our PACT Act turned one on August 10th! Congressman Kim proudly helped pass this historic expansion of veterans' healthcare into law to uphold our promise to have their backs. He is committed to closing gaps in veterans’ healthcare and benefits to deliver them the support they deserve. The PACT Act expanded 3.5 million veterans' healthcare who were exposed to burn pits or other toxic substances.

 

We want to make sure eligible veterans know how this major legislation could impact their daily benefits and healthcare. While there is no deadline to file a claim, learn all about the PACT Act and your VA benefits today! 

 

PACT ACT UPDATE: New Deadline for Veterans Deployed to Combat Zones

 

Through the PACT Act, veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA healthcare, and left the military between September 11th, 2001 and October 1st, 2013 are eligible to enroll directly in VA healthcare. This special enrollment period ends September 30th, 2023 at 11:59 PM.

 

The opportunity allows veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones the opportunity to directly enroll, without first applying for disability compensation benefits. Visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and sign up for VA health care before the deadline

 

Good Governance Week Recap, including a Constituent Resource Fair

 

To kick-off the month, Congressman Kim hosted Good Governance Week to build off his tenets of accessibility, independence, civility, and service to local New Jersey communities. The week consisted of events, visits, and conversations to engage with the community on local needs and share information about available services.

 

We were excited to host a Constituent Resource Fair during the week and bring together 34 government agencies, community groups, and nonprofits together with the community at the Mount Laurel Community Center. People were able to get information and support directly from the groups and learn more about how our office and others can assist them!

Congressman Kim Hosts 66th Town Hall in Manalapan

 

Thank you to everyone who joined Congressman Kim for his August town hall. We were grateful to see such a packed room of community members there to hear updates about the Congressman’s work and to ask questions about issues they care about.

From his most recent and upcoming work on major legislation like the National Defense Authorization Act and 2023 Farm Bill to answering questions about prescription drug costs and infrastructure, comprehensive discussions like this one are vital to supporting his service to you. We look forward to such engaging conversation at our next town hall too!

Celebrating August’s Service Spotlight

 

As always, we are excited to showcase another local community member as our monthly Service Spotlight. In early August, the nation honors Purple Heart Day to show our appreciation for servicemembers hurt or killed while serving our nation. Our August Service Spotlight is a local and national hero, veteran, and Purple Heart recipient, Ron Dash.

For his service to our nation and our local senior and veterans community for the last 35 years, Congressman Kim presented Ron with a recognition in the Congressional Record of the 118th Congress and we were proud to celebrate him as our latest Service Spotlight. Read more of his story and our past spotlights here!

Visiting Veterans at Hamilton VFW

 

From expanded access to healthcare to connecting vets to career support, Congressman Kim is proud to work alongside the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars to meet veterans’ unique needs. Earlier this month, he visited with the Hamilton VFW to talk through what’s next in this vital work to uplift and support our local veteran community.

A Group Effort at the Joint Base

Congressman Kim visited JBMDL to speak with youth and Red Cross volunteers making a delivery to the Base’s food pantry. Students in the “Grow-A-Row” program harvest fruits and vegetables on a farm in Pittstown and deliver these to the Base. It is an impressive and heartwarming program supporting local military families.

Celebrating Change of Command at JBMDL

 

Congressman Kim was honored to attend Major General Kris Belanger’s Change of Command Ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and congratulate them on their new role. He is proud to work alongside the leaders and servicemembers at JBMDL to address their needs and the needs of our nation.

Creative Outlet for Local Veterans

 

This month the Congressman also visited the Medford Arts Center during their arts class for veterans. He learned all about this local community program that shows our gratitude for their service by supporting veterans’ well-being in a creative way!

Congressman Kim Reintroduces Military Family Protection from Debt Act

 

This month, Congressman Kim reintroduced his Military Family Protection from Debt Act that would ease financial burdens for servicemembers and their families.

 

The Military Protection from Debt Act would help reduce interest rates on pre-service loans for the families of reserve and guard servicemembers serving on active duty and ease financial burdens while their servicemember is deployed. Interest rates are already capped at six percent for servicemembers during their deployment, and this legislation would expand the same protections to military family members. Military families sacrifice alongside our servicemembers when on deployment and Congress should provide them with any protections they need to be able to keep food on the table and a roof over their head.

 

New Path to Report Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment at VA

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9). The call center will be ready to answer the phones 24/7. Follow-up health care and support will also be made available to those in need.

 

Do you have a copy of your DD-214?

 

If you do not have a copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), you should request a copy from the National Archives and Records Administration since it can take up to 6-12 months to receive. DD-214s are necessary to apply for many of the benefits you are eligible for as a veteran. If you don’t have your DD-214, medical treatment can be delayed for a long time. If you have questions about this, you can contact our office here.

 

DMAVA Newsletter

 

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ newsletter provides information to Servicemembers, Veterans, Employees, Families, Caregivers, Community Partners and those inspired to support our collective mission. You can sign-up for DMAVA’s mailing lists on their website.

 

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) Update

 

On August 14th, JBMDL was named a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 19th Annual Military Conservation Partner for its outstanding contributions to natural resource management.

 

On August 17th, the Dorm Council held a Cars and Cookout event so servicemembers and their families can see what activities are available at JBMDL.

 

On August 19th, JBMDL hosted a Kids Understanding Deployment Operations (KUDOS) event to help children of local servicemembers understand what their parents experience when deployed.

 

On August 22nd and 23rd, JBMDL hosted Warrior Heart training, highlighting the AMC-wide effort to promote Warrior Heart culture. It introduced Airmen, spouses and civilians to the concept of mindfulness and how it is integral to their performance, well-being, and ability to thrive through adversity.

 

On August 24th, the 305th Air Mobility Wing held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly commissioned ‘Dock 46 two-bay hangar’ at JBMDL. The event concludes four and a half years of planning and 240,650 accident-free man-hours after its initial groundbreaking on December 3, 2018.

 

Upcoming Local Events

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is hosting various events throughout September, including: 

• September 13th at 10 AM - Interfaith Suicide Awareness Seminar at Greater Mt. Zion Church in Trenton. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran.  

• September 22nd at 5 PM - Veteran Family Fun Night at the Allaire Community Farm. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran.  

• September 28th at 9 AM - DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign at the Columbus Farmers Market. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran. 

Do You Know Someone Else Who Would Find These Updates Helpful?

If so, please encourage them to sign up here. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if we can be of assistance to you.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you every day!

 

The Office of Congressman Andy Kim

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