MEDAL OF HONOR -VA BENEFITS
What is the highest Military Award?
The Medal of Honor has been awarded more than 3,500 times to members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. While the medal is earned in recognition of specific actions, it’s never considered “won.”
The Medal of Honor is the highest military award. It is given to military members, often posthumously, for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” The Medal of Honor is awarded by the U.S. president, typically during a formal ceremony at the White House.
What 10 Additional Benefits and Privileges do Medal of Honor Recipients Receive?
- A Special Medal of Honor pension of $1,619.34 (2023 rate) per month above and beyond any military pensions or other benefits for which they may be eligible. Most surviving spouses are also eligible for this pension The MoH pension is subject to cost-of-living increases and is tax free.
- Special entitlements to Space “A” air transportation.
- Enlisted recipients are entitled to a supplemental uniform allowance.
- Commissary and exchange privileges (includes eligible dependents).
- Admission to the United States military academies for qualified children of recipients – without nomination and quota requirements.
- Ten percent increase in retired pay.
- Medal of Honor Flag.
- Allowed to wear the uniform at any time as long as the standard restrictions are observed.
- Many states offer Medal of Honor automobile license plates.
- Interment at Arlington National Cemetery if not otherwise eligible.
DO YOU NEED A BREAK?
- Active at Home Helpers 701-235-6706
- All Embracing Home Care 701-330-8373
- Comfort Keepers 701-738-0006
- Family Caregiver Program 701-795-3017
- Home Care Companions 701-757-4044
- Integrity Home Care 701-740-3720
- Sanford Home Care 218-773-5870
- Todays Organized Living 218-791-8247
- Dak-Minn Driving and Home Evaluations 701-330-4445
- Ethos Home Care 218-791-6965 & 701-757-0328
- VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT 1-800-410-9723
1)WHAT IS THE VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM?
Answer: The VA Caregiver Support Program provides a break for all caregivers that take care of Veterans.
2) WHO IS A CAREGIVER?
A caregiver is a person who provides personal care services to a Veteran who needs assistance with one or more activities of daily living or needs supervision or protection based upon symptoms or residuals. Caregivers do not need to be a relative or live with the Veteran.
3)WHO PROVIDES THE VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM?
The Caregiver Support Program is provided by the PGCSS (Program of General Caregiver Support Services). They provide services to caregivers of Veterans of all eras enrolled in the Department of Veteran Affairs and VA Healthcare.
4)WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?
- Respite Care to allow the caregiver to take time for themselves while the Veteran is cared for in a safe and caring environment.
- Help in your home with bathing, dressing, medications and light housekeeping.
- Monitoring of blood pressure, weight, and blood sugars.
5)WHAT ARE THE 3 TYPES OF RESPITE CARE OFFERED?
- In-Home Respite Care is available through local care agencies; up to 3-4 hours per week.
- In-Patient Respite Care is provided at the Fargo VA Medical Center on the Community Living Center Unit. 24hour care is provided up to 30 days per year. Veterans are screened prior to admission to ensure care needs can be met.
- Adult Day Health Care is available for half or full days up to 2-3times per week including activities and a noon meal and one whirlpool bath per week.
6)WHAT ARE THE 3 WAYS TO ENROLL?
- Request a referral from the Veteran’s VA assigned primary care provider. No application is required. The Veteran must have been seen by their VA assigned primary care provider within the last 12 months.
- Call the Caregiver Support Program TEAM and complete the intake questions at (1-800-410-9723)
- To Request In-Patient Respite Care contact the CLC Respite Coordinator at (1-800-410-9723 ext 9-3597)
7)HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM?
- Call 1-855-260-3274 for more information.
- Visit the website at: www.caregiver.va.gov
LISTENING TO WISDOM / UND VETERANS PROJECT
Question: How can we honor our Veterans lifetime of wisdom and experience?
Answer: Listen to their stories.
Why is it important to listen to stories?
“Unfortunately, our phones are built around us. We are inundated with Google searches, social media, algorithms, and AI recommendations. What’s wrong with a world that revolves around us? A few things. We start losing our ability to be empathetic and we are unable to connect with other people. And when we cannot relate to others, we retreat further into our individualistic, self-referential bubble, which is not an environment where wisdom can grow.”
Propitiously, stories transcend generations. They create connections with others. It is through stories that we experience rich emotions of joy, sorrow, hardships and failures. Stories show us a world beyond ourselves as we learn to engage with others by listening to their experiences and perceptions and how they think and feel. When we listen to a story of someone else’s life, it is as if you are living their story for just a brief moment. This encounter, however brief, will help us grow in wisdom despite our differences as we look to understand our place in this world.
“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”
Who is willing to listen?
The UND Department of Geriatrics currently has a program to connect Veterans with UND students who are willing to meet and listen to Veterans’ stories. At the end of the meetings, UND will provide a digital or physical book that summarizes the stories that were shared by the Veterans. Dr. Jeremy Holloway is a Geriatric Professor and Director of Geriatric Education at the University of North Dakota. The focus of his research is concentrated on the social determinants of health, specifically self-efficacy, connectedness and resiliency of individuals, specifically older adults. If you know a veteran who would like to share their story, please contact Madeline Dorsher to set up an appointment. Thankfully, everyone of us can learn to take the time to stop and listen; for compassion always makes a difference.
Who can I contact?
Phone: 701-777-2845 & 701-777-6936 (Madeline Dorsher-project assistant)
Direct Line: 701-777-5617 (Dr. Jeremy Holloway-project director)
Email: madeline.dorsher.1@UND.edu
Email: Jeremy.holloway@UND.edu
Website: https://www.dakotageriatrics.org/
Mailing Address:
UND Department of Geriatrics
School of Medicine & Health Sciences E271
1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202
DO YOU HAVE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PACT ACT?
WEBSITE: http://www.va.gov/PACT
WHAT: FREE TOWNHALL EVENT WHO: VETERANS, VETERANS FAMILES WHEN: MONDAY DECEMBER 12th WHERE: FARGO VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM -3rd Floor 2101 ELM ST NORTH FARGO ND 58102 TIME: 9:00am-NOON WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: DD214 & PHOTO ID PHONE:1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
Traill County Veterans Service Office 