Finn Says... Finn Check out my page! All the news and info you need pertaining to our detachment or goings on in the Corps is there. Click the second link above titled "Finn's Corner." NOTE the June 2008 Newsletter is now online. It contains lots of info and news you're going to want to read. Click on the "Finnegan's 411" link above to download it. Check it out! |
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Officers
Commandant:
John Bauman
Sr. Vice Commandant:
Boyd Nelson
Jr Vice Commandant:
Rudy Jonak
Chaplain:
Wilson Mead
Judge Advocate:
John Burke
Paymaster:
Stan Derby
Sgt At Arms:
Matthew Falcone
Adjutant/Web Sgt.:
Tom Kenney
Attn: Cold War Veterans!
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The Secretary of Defense approved awarding of the Cold War Certificates to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era, which is defined as 2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991. The authority to issue these certificates is in accordance with section 1084 of the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense Authorization Act.
To be eligible for the certificate, applicants must certify that the nature of their service was honorable, and provide supporting documentation of proof of service. Documentation that is acceptable is any official government or military document that has the recipient’s name, date of service and Social Security Number, or Military Service Number or Foreign Service number. Members of the National Guard and Reserves are eligible for this certificate, although Contractors and volunteers are not eligible.
The following are examples of acceptable supporting documentation
Leave and earnings statement
DD214 or other discharge paper
SF50 (Civilian Personnel Action Form)
NOTE: Please do not send originals, they cannot be returned. Please send Copies only.
NOTE: The number supplied in your initial request, be it SSN, MSN, or FSN, must match the number supplied on your supporting document.
Military Service Numbers (MSN) were issued to members of the armed forces before Social Security Numbers (SSN) were used to identify personnel. The changeover to Social Security Numbers occurred in the late 1960’s, so many retirees who are eligible for the certificate may have only a Military Service number on their supporting document.
The Foreign Service Number (FSN) is used to maintain records for foreign nationals employed by the US government and who do not have Social Security Numbers.
How to Request your Certificate Download THIS Adobe PDF file
1) Fill out either the U.S. Resident or International Resident application depending upon your current mailing address. Required fields are marked with an asterisk.
2) Print the application. You must certify your honorable service by signing and dating the application, or your application will be rejected. If you are unable to print the application you may submit a signed and dated letter containing the same information as the application. You must include the phrase "I confirm my faithful and honorable service to the nation during the Cold War Era."
3) Mail or fax the application to the Cold War Office along with your supporting document to:
CDR, PERSCOM
Cold War Recognition, Hoffman II
Attn: TAPC-CWRS, 3N45
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0473
Fax 1-800-723-9262
Due to the remarkable success of this program, turn-around time for mailing certificates will be a minimum of 6 months. The CWRS Operations Team is working as fast as possible to clear the backlog. Please do not request feedback prior to 6 months from the request date. Thank you for your patience and interest in the Cold War Recognition program.
At a recent detachment meeting, we had the pleasure of meeting Lynn Schaefering the Chief of Staff to N.Y. Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt. The Assemblyman was scheduled to address our meeting. However, due to a scheduling conflict (having nothing to do with recent events in Albany ;^) the Assemblyman sent Lynn to our meeting in his place. Lynn spoke with us about current legislation concerning veterans that is in the pipeline up in Albany. One piece of legislation which (now) ex gov. Spitzer signed at the beginning of 2008 gives municipalities throughout N.Y. the authority (if they choose) to give "Cold War" veteran's the same tax benefits and excemptions that veterans of shooting wars receive. Here, taken directly from the web site of the N.Y.S. Board of Real Property Services, is an exerpt of what the law says;
"Section 458-b of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes a limited exemption from real property taxes for real property owned by persons who rendered military service to the United States during the Cold War (defined as September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991), provided such property meets the requirements set forth in the law. The task of administering this law lies primarily with local assessors who are required to pass upon each application for exemption. Section 458-b of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York authorizes an exemption from real property taxation for qualified residential real property owned by Cold War veterans or certain members of their family based on a percentage of assessed value. The exemption is applicable to general municipal taxes, but not school taxes, special ad valorem levies or special assessments. Each county, city, town and village has the option of deciding whether to grant the Cold War veterans exemption. You should check with your assessor to determine whether the exemption is available for your property." For further details and information, check out their web site: here.
