Greetings!

We hope you had a great month! Across our community in New Jersey and at the Capitol, Congressman Kim continued his work on behalf of local veterans. We continue working to ensure veterans’ benefits are reliable, comprehensive, and accessible. No matter political differences, we should all be working to deliver on our promise to have veterans’ backs for their service to our nation.

On September 15th, we celebrated the start of Hispanic Heritage Month! We look forward to helping honor the contributions, impact, and achievements of Latino communities in New Jersey and across our nation, including the men and women who have served our nation in uniform. Our diverse cultures, stories, and histories make us stronger and who we are as a nation.

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

Remembering Those Lost on September 11th, 2001

This year marked the 23rd anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Every year, we join in remembering those lost, including 750 New Jerseyans and honor the actions of selfless heroes who stopped at nothing to help others. It is forever-important that we hold onto their memories as we continue forward, letting the emotion of this day guide our mission to serve our local communities and state.

TONIGHT: Town Hall Focused on Combating Hunger!

Today at 5:30 PM, Congressman Kim is hosting his 79th town hall to speak with neighbors, recognize Hunger Action Month, and highlight his ongoing commitment to combat hunger in New Jersey! He will be joined by the Executive Director of Freehold Area Open Door to speak about their services assisting and advocating for the local community.

Sign-up for the telephone town hall or tune-in to the event at kim.house.gov/live.

Congressman Kim’s Project Funding Supports 100+ Veterans Access Care

This month, Congressman Kim joined Brick Township Mayor Lisa Crate to celebrate the impact of Community Project Funding the Congressman secured for O.C.E.A.N., Inc. to provide veterans transportation to medical appointments. The $55,000 in funding has surpassed its goals and is now helping give 123 veterans rides to their medical appointments at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Brick, New Jersey.

Congressman Kim was also able to meet a local veteran who uses the service to access his care!

We are working to break down any barrier veterans face in trying to get the care they need. Transportation to appointments at the VA is an issue we’ve heard about from a lot of people and we are proud to see this project funding helping so many veterans in Ocean County. We will continue looking at how to build off this program’s assistance, the new VA clinic coming to Toms River, and deliver more direct help for our local veterans’ unique needs!

Welcoming New Jersey Veterans to Washington

Earlier this month, Congressman Kim met with representatives from the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Capitol to discuss our continued commitment and shared work to serve veterans and their families in New Jersey and around the country. We are passionate about working to ensure they and our entire military community receive the benefits they have earned.

In August, the Congressman was honored to receive the NJVFW’s Legislator of the Year Award!

Voting to Protect Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans’ benefits should never be put at-risk. Last week, Congressman Kim was proud to help prevent unacceptable delays on veterans' critical benefits like education support and disability payouts.

Congress must always find ways to have veterans' backs and not allow such worrisome cliffs to exist for benefits.

Honoring POW/MIA Servicemembers

September 20th was National POW/MIA Recognition Day. We paused to honor the bravery and sacrifice of servicemembers’ missing in action, or taken as prisoners of war. We recognize them and their loved ones’ service and strength in their absence.

Thank you Sons of the American Legion for helping honor our POW/MIA servicemembers each year with a watchfire. Congressman Kim was glad to be able to join this important recognition.

Commemorating World Suicide Prevention Month

Every American should have a place to turn to for the mental healthcare they need, no matter the cost. In Congress, we continue to prioritize efforts to expand access to comprehensive and affordable resources and services. This month, we join in recognizing Suicide Prevention Month to help spread the word about current resources, including the 9-8-8 hotline and veterans crisis line at 9-8-8, then press 1.

We also applauded the Biden administration’s new rule aimed at expanding access to mental healthcare by making sure mental health and substance use disorder care on private insurance plans are covered the same as physical health benefits. It is a critical step toward making sure Americans can always access the affordable and comprehensive care and services they need and deserve.

Happy Birthday U.S. Air Force!

On September 18th, we helped celebrate the United States Air Force’s anniversary and honored all airmen over the last 77 years for their dedicated and selfless service to our nation.

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 September 11th, JBMDL servicemembers and civilians conducted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony.

On September 19th, JBMDL’s Integrated Prevention and Resilience Office partnered with the USO to host You Matter Day events during National Suicide Prevention Month for joint base members to destigmatize the topic, remain informed and learn more about available resources.

On September 24th, JBMDL members attended the U.S. Air Force Ball in Atlantic City to honor the U.S. Air Force’s heritage of air and space dominance, and celebrate the Air Force’s 77th birthday.

Upcoming Local Events

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are helping host various events in October around our local community, including:

October 2nd at 5 PM - Virtual Free Legal Advice for Veterans
October 2nd at 5 PM - Veteran Appreciation Dinner and Resource Fair at VFW Post 3020 in Delran.
October 8th at 5 PM to 8 PM - Veterans Expo at Rowan College at Burlington County’s Student Success Center.
October 12th at 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM - NAACP New Jersey Conference at the Crown Plaza Princeton and Convention Center in Princeton.
October 19th at 10 AM - Burlington Township Mayor’s Health and Wellness Campaign at the Burlington Township Municipal Building.
October 24th at 9:30 AM - 3 PM- DMAVA Semi-Annual VSO Training Seminar at the Regional Training Institute, New Jersey National Guard Training Center.

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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