GIG LINE
Dedicated to Veterans
By Marsha M. Brown
Well friends it’s been a busy week! More and more veterans have heard about the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council; the benefits of the Dare County Veteran I. D. Card and more of you are reading GIG LINE…thank you for that!
The goals of the Council are important but what’s critical is that the goals are being realized almost daily. How do we know? Well…lets see…you’re responding to our invitations to attend scheduled events for the I. D. ‘CARD’ disbursements; you’re contacting us through emails and cell phones; you’re encouraging other veterans to stay apprised of local events that inform and honor you; you’re learning about fellow veterans who need help and you’re responding; you’re locating your extremely important DD-214, then taking the time to register it with the Dare County Register of Deeds office (for safe keeping) and at no charge.
Thank you for listening…for showing interest in those who are interested in you and your families. Dare County veterans…men and women who have served our country are unique and special people. Thank you for your service, sacrifice and dedication to our country.
On Thursday, August 21st my sweetie pie Billy (Vietnam veteran and Veterans Advisory Council member) registered eleven Dare County veterans for their ‘CARD’ bringing our total to date to 136 and we have two more ‘CARD’ events scheduled for next week. The first will be in Manteo on Tuesday, August 27th – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Rm. 168 at the Dare County Administrative Building; the second will be held in Buxton at the Fessenden Center on Wednesday, August 28th – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you haven’t received your ‘CARD’ why in the world not wonderful people? The ‘CARD’ is for you and issued to you by merely showing your DD-214 (we don’t need to keep it and we don’t need to record your Social Security number). The DD-214 verifies that your Discharge or Separation from military service was under HONORABLE circumstances…criteria for receiving the ‘CARD’. You’re also asked to bring proof of your permanent Dare County residency – (a Drivers License is perfect). The process takes only 10 minutes then you get your ‘CARD’ on the spot and you can start realizing your savings immediately.
At this point in time there are now 18 local businesses that recognize your service and that honor you by offering you a discount (usually 10%) off their merchandise, goods or services and mostly on a daily basis. Please remember some restrictions may apply especially with regard to sale priced or large ticket items so you might want to inquire before purchase to ascertain expenditure before hand. As I said, the ‘list’ is growing but again, to date they are as follows:
18 Local businesses that honor the
Dare County Veteran I. D. Card as of August 24, 2013
Ace Hardware (all seven locations)
Darrell’s Restaurant (Manteo)
Jolly Roger Restaurant (K.D.H.)
All Fixed (vacuum sales/parts)
Buxton Auto & Marine (Buxton)
Kellogg Supply (Manteo, KDH, Duck and Edenton)
The Cottage Shop (Nags Head)
Kellogg Design Center (Nags Head)
Big Al’s (Manteo)
Full Moon Cafe (Manteo)
Stripers Bar & Grille (Manteo)
Advance Auto (Manteo only)
Pizza Hut (Manteo only)
La Dolce Vita Restaurant (Manteo)
Ortegaz Grill (Manteo)
Quarterdeck Restaurant (Frisco)
Garden Deli & Pizzeria (Manteo)
AJ&M Home Improvement (Manteo)
18 Local businesses that honor the
Dare County Veteran I. D. Card as of August 24, 2013
Ace Hardware (all seven locations)
Darrell’s Restaurant (Manteo)
Jolly Roger Restaurant (K.D.H.)
All Fixed (vacuum sales/parts)
Buxton Auto & Marine (Buxton)
Kellogg Supply (Manteo, KDH, Duck and Edenton)
The Cottage Shop (Nags Head)
Kellogg Design Center (Nags Head)
Big Al’s (Manteo)
Full Moon Cafe (Manteo)
Stripers Bar & Grille (Manteo)
Advance Auto (Manteo only)
Pizza Hut (Manteo only)
La Dolce Vita Restaurant (Manteo)
Ortegaz Grill (Manteo)
Quarterdeck Restaurant (Frisco)
Garden Deli & Pizzeria (Manteo)
AJ&M Home Improvement (Manteo)
Remember in my last column when I told you about something I wanted to get more info about? It was from an article I saw in the American Legion Auxiliary magazine August 2013 edition. The article caught my eye especially because I hear a lot of people talk about needing to work, only working part time or having trouble finding a job that have good, solid work histories. That being said, the article described “Foster Care For Veterans”. In preparation for this GIG LINE I made several attempts to inquire further but could only leave voice mail on several occasions. In essence, the article talked about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Medical Foster Home Program and how “600 veterans are receiving private care through placement in private homes nationwide and…that “with help from the VA, veterans can pay between $1,500 and $4,000 a month to their caregivers.” So I followed up on this info especially for as they put it “empty nester” who might be interested. As it turned out the calls I made referred me to an alternate number which led me to a VA rep whose name was Debra Stevens, who in turn, referred me to a more localized contact Alisha Thompson. She explained that Alisha is a Medical Foster Home Co-Coordinator who works out of the Hampton VA Medical Center and who can be reached at (757) 722-9961 ext. 3744. Billy and I have a small home but for those who have the room and an interest in doing a good thing for a veteran, just know I’ll be following up with Ms. Thompson to get more details for a future GIG LINE. Jeepers…I wish we had the room – if anyone deserves a home setting with warm hearts, it would be a veteran. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted!
Until next time, be happy, be safe, be proud and thank a veteran every single day. If you have a question or just want to talk…give us a call – (252) 202-2058 or email me at editor@giglineheroes.com. A lot of neat things are in the works for you all so please spread the word about the ‘CARD’ and please keep reading GIG LINE and…by all means…stay tuned.