Mt. Prospect Area Veterans

The 2009 Memorial Day Essay contest winner, Jenna Derka is a 6^th grader at MacArthur Middle School. The Mt. Prospect VFW will present her winning essay at the Memorial day tribute on Monday May 25^th at the Veterans Memorial Band Shell at Lions Park.

Even though I eat brunch at my great aunt Darlene’s house, Memorial Day still has a powerful effect on me. My dad’s grandfather passed away. He fought in World War 2 for me, my family, and my country. Memorial Day is a holiday where people from all over the United States of America remember the people who fought for my and billions of other people’s lives. Memorial Day means that my country that I live in has justice, freedom, and peace throughout it.

Americans, Asians, African—Americans, Europeans, Australians, and Africans all live in America for peace. People of all ages, religions, and races come to America freedom. They could have gotten kicked out of their country because of what they believe, how their health is, or maybe their color of their skin. America will accept them, treat them, include them, and maybe help them.

Though we know soldiers who fought and died for us, we don’t know some of them. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier holds them. The tombstones names the soldiers we can identify but certified and armed people guard the unknown soldiers, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

People die every day to save my life, and to make justice, freedom, and peace in our country so we can believe what we want, whenever we want. Justice, freedom, and peace is important in this country. If we lose it we will fall apart, if we fall apart we won’t have ft anymore. Memorial Day may not be important to you but it is to me and I am patriotic.

Labels: Memorial Day Essay Contest Winner

The Veterans Forum will present a program on the USS Franklin CV-13 during the Battle of Okinawa on its 64th anniversary, March 19th. On that fateful day 724 shipmates lost their lives and another 265 were wounded during this intense battle.

Our comrade Tom Leo was a crew member who went through that hellish ordeal and is here to tell his story. In addition, we have actual news film footage of the battle and the heroic efforts of the those who fought to save their shipmates. This will be a very interesting discussion and one that you can not afford to miss.

No reservations necessary. Starts at 7:30PM at the Arlington Heights American Legion Post located at 120 N. Douglas.

Labels: A must attend event

Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.

Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.

Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits are not granted for inactive duty training.

If your active military service occurred

• From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.
• From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.
• After 2001, there are no special extra earnings credits for military service.

How You Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings

The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1957 through 2001. Here's how the special extra earnings are credited on your record:

Service in 1957 Through 1977

You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.

Service in 1978 through 2001

For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for details.

Check out this link for more information: www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

Labels: Active duty adds to Social Security Benefits