2010-2011 San Diego County Veteran Of The Year Announced
Congratulation to Waldo Joe Brunner
Other awards presented
San Diego United Veterans Council
UVC Board Members
Chairman - Tom Richards
1st Vice Chair - Tess Banko
2nd Vice Chair - Toni Lopez
Treasurer - Allen Miliefsky
Veterans Community Elder Statesman:
General Bob Cardenas USAF (Ret)
Communications Committee Chair:
Bob Phillips
> Find out more about the United Veterans Council.
Partners of the UVC
A San Diego area organization help our active duty and veterans find full and part time jobs.
A Radio Talk Show hosted by Tommy Chandler, 1700AM on your radio dial
The Joe Foss Institute, Helping Young Students Appreciate Patriotism and America’s Freedom.
About Veterans Benefits
Benefits for Veterans and Family Members
There is wide multitude of benefits and some that extend to family members of the veteran. Just to name a few:
- Health Care
- Compensation
- Education
- Employment
- Home Loans
- Life Insurance
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Survivors Benefits
- Burial Benefits
Who provides these benefits
Benefits are provided by the federal and state governments. The benefits are part
of the compensation package a veteran has earned, just as they earned their pay.
Who is eligible for benefits?
Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during
a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population
-- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and
services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.
How do I find out if I'm eligible
Most veterans organizations provide information about benefits, Transition Assistance
Programs provide information for separating active duty members, and the Internet
has much information available. One of the best source from a VSO or CVSO.
What is a VSO or CVSO?
Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) are advocates
guiding and assisting all US Veterans, Armed Forces members, their dependents and
survivors, in obtaining their hard-earned benefit programs.
A VSO works for a veterans organization fulfilling the needs of veterans that seek their assistance. The CVSO is a county employee who manages and coordinates the delivery of veterans' benefits, both federal and state, to eligible recipients.
Duties of a VSO and CVSO are to counsel about benefits, assist in applying for and using those programs, and develop outreach mechanisms to make local veterans aware of their benefits options.
Services provided by VSOs and CVSOs
- Comprehensive Benefits Counseling
- Claims preparation and submission
- Claims follow-up to insure final decisions
- Initiate and develop appeals when appropriate
- Networking and advocacy with Federal, State and Local agencies
- Information and referral services for the following:
- Public assistance
- VA Medical care
- State educational benefits (College Fee Waiver Program)
Assistance offered in filing for benefits:
- Compensation (service-related injuries or disease).
- Re-open compensation claim for re-evaluation and increase.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (based upon service-connected death).
- Pension (for war era veterans).
- Death pension (for survivors of war era veterans).
- Admission to the State Veterans Homes of California.
- Request for military records and decorations.
- Discharge upgrade and correction of military records.
- Vocational Rehabilitation (VA).
- VA home loan guaranty eligibility.
- Education benefits (VA).
- VA life insurance and waiver of premiums,
- Payment of proceeds of VA life insurance.
- Burial benefits (VA).
- Hospitalization/dental care at VA facilities.
- Cal-Vet Loans.
- Dependents of Veterans College Fee Waiver. Program (CA Department of Veterans)
Where do I find a VSO or CVSO?
The United Veterans Council of San Diego County was formed in 1984 providing a forum for veterans to provide input, share information, and raise issues leading to the betterment of the veteran community and to provide a united veterans position on legislation affecting San Diego County veterans and their families. You can find more about the council on the About Us page.
We are a non-partisan, non-membership organization.
We meet the fourth Saturday of every month at the Veteran's Museum and Memorial Center (Old Balboa Hospital Chapel), 2115 Park Blvd, San Diego — starting at 9:00. All veterans, politicians, the press or interested parties are invited to attend.
The Padres currently offer an “appreciation price” of $6.00 off tickets priced at $14.00 or more for all active duty military and their dependents, retired military and current DoD employees who posses a valid DoD issued ID card. This offer is for all regular season home games. Find out more about the San Diego Padres Military Appreciation Program.
The Padres Veterans’ Appreciation card (PVAC) is intended to be issued to military Veterans who served in the armed forces, but did not make the military a career – and therefore do not carry a DoD issued Card.
To qualify for this PVAC an individual must be a Veteran of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, or the U. S. Coast Guard, and show proof of such service. Membership in any officially sanctioned military organization such as The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), etc. suffices as proof of Veterans’ status for the purpose of issuing a PVAC card to an individual.
The PVAC entitles the holder to the same $6.00 off regular season tickets as offered to the active duty and their dependents, retired military, and DoD employees. To purchase tickets with the PVAC the holder simply presents the PVAC with a picture ID card (i.e. Driver’s License, VA Medical Card, etc.) at the box office windows at PETCO Park.
Like the DoD issued ID card, the PVAC may be used to purchase up to 19 tickets at the box office windows for a single game. To purchase tickets for a group of 20 or more tickets with a PVAC, the holder of the card must go through the Padres Group Sales Office to purchase the tickets in advance of the game.
The PVAC can be obtained at the following locations:
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County Veterans Service Office
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The Veterans Museum
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North County Veterans Service Office
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Vet Center
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VSO Offices at the SD VA Regional Office |
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| - More sites coming! - | |
The Veterans Week/Veterans Day Parade Committee and the United Veterans Council
are identifying merchants that will accept the PVAC for discounts for Veterans and
the list will be posted on the UVC
web site.
Merchants that accept the Padres Veterans Appreciation Card for discounts:
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McCune Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge
will accept the PVAC for parts, service, and Body Shop. |
Cherniss Tire World Offers a free front end alignment with any four new tire purchase and $25.00 off the total any new four tire purchase. We will also offer 10% off any service work. All work is guaranteed and we do appreciate your business. |
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Boot Round-Up & Shoe Repair
Mon - Fri 8-5 PM |
Boot Round-Up & Shoe Repair
Mon - Fri 8-5 PM |
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GoCars San Diego 20% off to Veterans any time and 50% off to Veterans on Veterans Day. |
The 25th Annual San Diego Veterans Day Parade
Photos - 2007 San Diego Veterans Day Parade
Friday, November 11th, 2010
Downtown San Diego
Check out the parade web site for the 2010 photos.
More information about the San Diego County Veterans Day Parade
Highlights & Reminders
- Bring vets to SDUVC meetings when they need help, so that they can be introduced to people who can help them.
Volunteer Opportunities
VOLUNTEERS needed – Veterans Museum
and Memorial Center
VOLUNTEERS needed –
Midway Museum
Safety Team members - After training, volunteers are assigned a
post at the start of the shift to assist museum guests and patrol for potential
hazards. Candidates must be able to climb ship’s ladders, and serve 20 hrs
per month. Women and civilians are encouraged to apply. The ship is a short
walk from public transportation. 619 398 8289 www.midway.org
For a volunteer application or more information about the USS Midway Museum, visit
our web site at http://www.midway.org
About the UVC web site
This web site was established in May 2006 and is intended to provide participants of the United Veterans Council of San Diego County with information about the council, upcoming meetings and other information.
The site will provide resources for veterans throughout San Diego County. Lastly it is also intended to provide the general public with information concerning the history and current status of the council along with information they may be seeking in regard to veterans.
Who is a veteran?
Military veterans have been defined by perceptions, customs and laws for centuries. Yet in the several hundred years of the United States existence, our Congress has never defined the term “military veteran.” Whether one is considered a “veteran” by federal, state or local governments depends entirely upon the veteran benefit or program being applied for. The mission of the San Diego United Veterans Council of San Diego is inclusive of all veterans regarding a variety of issues and subject matter. As such no one definition as provide by any government program will suffice for our cause. Our definition of a military veteran is:
One who has served their country through a branch of the military services for a period of more than 60 days and if separated from military service was discharged or released with other than a dishonorable discharge. Or a veteran who was discharged before the 60 days for a service connected disability.
Creating a Cohesive Veteran Community
The United Veterans Council of San Diego (UVC) has been a resounding success and is a model for developing other cohesive veterans communities.
With hundreds of established veterans organizations all working towards similar purposes, communications and knowledge does not reach all of our veterans. In many ways we stand apart instead of a unified force.
The UVC model takes advantage of the government and veterans organizations, as well as individual veterans to: widen the door for communications, increase awareness of veterans issues, providing forums for discussing and resolving issues that trouble veterans and builds a unified cohesive veterans community.
Gary Rossio, Director of the VA San Diego Healthcare system developed the "Creating a Cohesive Veteran Community" PowerPoint presentation to provide the background information about the UVCs birth and success. Additional information is available on our "About Us" web pages.
USA Together
They served us, now we can serve them.
"It's like craigslist for Wounded Warriors"
USA Together matches available resources to those needing assistance.
A new internet site offers a way to register request for assistance and is also for those who desire to provide help. Go to USA Together and sign up!