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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 15, 2024 Page 25 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Tap Underutilized Burial Benefi ts for Veterans Dear Savvy Senior, What types of funeral benefi ts are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Planning Ahead Dear Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefi ts to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents. Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefi ts. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certifi cate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.” If you don’t have it, you can request online at Archives. gov/veterans. Here’s a rundown of some of the diff erent benefi ts that are available to veterans that die a nonservice related death. Military Cemetery Benefi ts If your dad’s eligible and would like to be buried in one of the 155 national or 119 state, territory or tribal-operated cemeteries (see VA.gov/ fi nd-locations), the VA provides a number of benefi ts at no cost to the family, including: a gravesite; opening and closing of the grave and perpetual gravesite care; a government headstone or marker; a United States burial fl ag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn; and a Presidential Memorial Certifi cate. If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains. But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family, but some veteran’s survivors may be eligible for burial allowances. The VA also off ers a memorial web page called the Veterans Legacy Memorial for any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial or tribal cemetery. This allows families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember and honor their service. If you’re interested in this option, the VA has a preneed burial eligibility determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See VA.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Offi ce at 800-535-1117. Private Cemetery Benefi ts The VA also provides benefi ts to veterans buried in private cemeteries. If your dad chooses this option, the VA benefi ts include a free government headstone or grave marker, or a medallion that can be affi xed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker; a burial fl ag; and a Presidential Memorial Certifi cate. Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family, and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents that are buried in private cemeteries. Military Funeral Honors Another popular benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national or private cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes an honor guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, folding and presenting the U.S. burial fl ag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of Taps. The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may 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 visit Cem. va.gov. Burial Allowances In addition to the burial benefi ts, some veteran’s survivors may also qualify for a $948 burial allowance and $948 for a plot to those who choose to be buried in a private cemetery. And $231 for a headstone or grave marker allowance. To fi nd out if your dad is eligible or to apply, see VA.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior GRANT | FROM PAGE 10 The matter was referred to the Department of Public Works. Ward 5 Councillor and City Council President Robert Van Campen off ered a resolution to appropriate $7,552,930 from the Budgetary Fund Balance (Free Cash) into the General Stabilization Fund ($2,265,879), the Employment Benefi ts Liability Trust Fund ($2,265,879) and the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund ($3,021,172). It was referred to the Ways and Means Subcommittee. Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith off ered a resolution for a National Grid Electric representative to attend a meeting to discuss street lights. She’s noticed that on streets running from Everett into Chelsea lights are brighter on the Chelsea end. “You can easily see the difference,” she said. “We upgraded in 2019, but our wattage is lower than Chelsea’s.” A pilot program is being considered, with streets to be affected as yet undetermined. Smith feels better lighting will be safer for pedestrians and motorists. It is also thought to reduce crime. TIPS | FROM PAGE 6 protect your sobriety and look out for another. If you’re consuming alcohol, drink responsibly, know your limits and do not drink and drive. Marie Garceau has been working in the field of substance use and addiction recovery for over a decade. She works at DRS (Drug Rehab Services) and primarily focuses on reaching out to the community and spreading awareness. AA. Masonry & Construction Felix Valenzuela - 781-500-5519 Free Estimates Licensed & Insured Reliable * Experienced Concrete Work * Decks * Patios * Blue Stone * Retaining Walls * Brick & Cement Blocks * Roofing * Siding * Painting & General Carpentry Email: AAfordablemason@gmail.com HIC 209358 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MYSTIC VALLEY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Proposed Residential Development River’s Edge Phase I You are hereby notified that the Mystic Valley Development Commission will conduct a public hearing relative to an application for an amended General Development Plan and certain variances to the River’s Edge Land Use Regulations for Development Intensity and Dimensional Criteria (allowable floor area ratio and number of parking spaces per dwelling unit) by Preotle, Lane & Associates as part of River’s Edge Phase I at 600 River’s Edge Drive in Medford, MA, and to a site plan review application by Criterion Development Partners and Preotle, Lane & Associates, proposing to construct up to 239 residential units, at-grade and surface parking spaces, and associated site improvements, as part of River’s Edge Phase I at 600 River’s Edge Drive in Medford, MA. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 3:00 P.M via Zoom at https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/97847627800?pwd=UGVaWExmVlN0VEU3MzhZZXNuckdoUT09 Passcode: 972058. The application can be seen in the offices of the MVDC, located in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Room 350, Malden, MA 02148, during regular business hours. Per Order Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Chairperson Mystic Valley Development Commission March 08, 15, 2024 1. On March 15, 1820, what New England area became a state under the Missouri Compromise? 2. The fi rst American cotton prints were calicoes, which were named after what Asian city? 3. Amazon originally sold what product: books, clothing or music? 4. On March 16, 1850, what book by Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne that has a color in its name was published? 5. Which U.S. president who usually used a middle initial was the fi rst president on TV? 6. March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day; Ireland does not have what common native reptile? 7. On St. Patrick’s day, what NYC building will be lit up with “green fades with the Irish fl ag rotating in the mast”? 8. On March 18, 1995, who announced the end of his 17-month NBA retirement? 9. What was the original purpose of the tiny pocket in jeans? 10. Uilleann pipes are the national bagpipe of what country? 11. How are Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Three Musketeers and the Sanderson Sisters similar? 12. On March 19, 1931, what state named after a mountain range legalized gambling? 13. What does sunscreen’s SPF stand for? 14. In 1737 what city had a dinner given by the Charitable Irish Society that was the fi rst American St. Patrick’s Day celebration? 15. In what book would you fi nd the character Jo March? 16. On March 20, 1985, Libby Riddles won what race of over 1,150 miles? 17. In March 1861 the Pony Express had its best time when it carried whose inaugural address between Nebraska and California in seven days and 17 hours? 18. In what year was the fi rst St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland: 1700, 1843 or 1903? 19. In what states are the two Sleepy Hollow Cemeteries? 20. On March 21, 1963, what prison known as “The Rock” closed? ANSWERS 1. Maine (Missouri was admitted as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state.) 2. Calcutta, India 3. Books 4. “The Scarlett Letter” 5. Franklin D. Roosevelt 6. Snakes 7. Empire State Building 8. Michael Jordan 9. For pocket watches 10. Ireland 11. They are groups of three. 12. Nevada (Sierra Nevada) 13. Sun protection factor 14. Boston 15. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott 16. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race 17. Abraham Lincoln’s 18. 1903 19. In Concord, Mass., and Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. 20. The federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay

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