Laserfiche WebLink
Veterans Advisory Committee <br />Minutes November 30, 2021 <br />Page 5 <br />is also a caregiver for his father who was a Vietnam Veteran said that he is hoping the <br />whole state will sign on to this. We will probably be the first full state that is a part of <br />this. I just wanted to let people know that it was moving forward, and it doesn't require <br />anything on our parts from now. They'd very much appreciate our advocacy, but they ask <br />that in the future whenever were planning programs, and when I say we I mean the <br />veteran community, as a whole, consider including caregivers in their activities. He gave <br />me some statistics that I've been wondering about for a long time, and I won't read them <br />all, but I will send it to Brittany for the minutes. According to the Elizabeth Dole <br />foundation this county has at least 13,817 veterans who are being cared for by a caregiver <br />in some way and there are about 6,545 caregivers and I'm sure that's low because people <br />just do this automatically to take care of their family member, so they don't necessarily <br />identify that way. It's a fairly large group and I'm one of them and so are many of us and <br />those of who aren't now will at some point need to be cared for. I just wanted to let you <br />know about that progress that's been made. I'm sure there will be a ceremony at some <br />point after a proclamation is signed. I'll let everyone know about that. <br />Chair Doolittle: The Veterans administration also has a paid benefit that can be filed for <br />caregivers. <br />Vice Chair Brinkley: Yes, and that used to be just for post-911 injured servicemembers <br />and their caregivers but it was expanded to pre-911 and their caregivers. Many of our <br />older veterans and their spouses will be able to tap into that. It's a whole big application <br />process, it's not like an automatic thing but it does allow them to stay at home and not <br />have to have an outside job if they need to stay home with their veteran. <br />Chair Doolittle: Does anyone have anything to add to that? Comments? <br />Lewis: I think the only thing that I might add, as Marcie said it's very extensive, it's been <br />around for a while cause I've been familiar with them from the Parade committee, we've <br />had a number of people who are graduates and whatever we can do make sure this issue, <br />Ilihia is a really good person to have as a part of that group. I am certain he will make <br />sure whatever changes, maybe even invite him if we want to talk about it. Marcie did a <br />great job of summarizing, but I think he's learn a lot just being a part of this group. It <br />might be beneficial maybe in the next one, we invite him to speak and give some more <br />thoughts about it. <br />Vice Chair Brinkley: Yes, I did mention that to him that we might want to do that, and he <br />was very happy to think that he'd be invited. I'll ask him to come to the next one if that's <br />alright. <br />Chair Doolittle: Yeah, we want to always encourage anyone that has anything to add to <br />the benefit of veterans lives and this county, come to this committee and present any <br />information they have. We want to be inclusive to everyone in our community that <br />related to veterans. I want to take this time to welcome our new member, Laurie Soares. <br />