May 03, 2008 05:26 pm
—
By Debbie Robinson
drobinson@joplinglobe.com
Cycle Connection in Joplin joined a nationwide effort Saturday to help veterans receive assistance for their disabilities.
The Harley-Davidson Foundation gave $1 million to participating dealerships to pay for the Disabled American Veterans to bring a mobile service office to communities around the country. It is part of the foundation’s Harley’s Heroes program.
“We want to help them get a better life,” said Roger Johnston, a DAV officer from St. Louis.
Johnston and Steve Batson, also with DAV, said about 16 veterans had talked with them during the first four hours of the event.
Batson, who served in Iraq with the Army National Guard, said the DAV works to help veterans and widows with claims for disability pensions.
The youngest veteran seen Saturday was 23; the oldest was 94, he said.
While serving in the military, Batson said he gave information to 74 soldiers about benefits available to veterans after they completed their service. Only two of those 74 sought assistance from his office, Batson said.
“They think they’re a burden on their government,” he said.
Johnston, who served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, said the length of time it takes to process claims discourages some veterans.
“It takes a year or longer to get a final decision,” he said. “The backlog is extensive.”
He also said one of the major problems veterans face is trying to get medical treatment.
Income restrictions are in place and there are no provisions for veterans who have incomes above the $31,000 annual income threshold for a single person, but who are injured and have no insurance.
Low-income veterans also can qualify for a pension for a disability that did not occur during military service, Batson said.
The site for Saturday’s event was appropriate, Johnston said, because many veterans ride motorcycles.
Stacy Boyer, marketing coordinator for Cycle Connection, said the local dealership participates in many community-minded events.
“We try to sponsor events that our corporation sponsors,” she said.
DAV
The Disabled American Veterans, with 1.2 million members, was formed 85 years ago to assist veterans and their families.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.