Brothers’/ Sisters’ Keeper
Somewhere in Marshfield, there are men and women who are going in debt, having to choose between prescription drugs and food and the problems are piling up. Some of these individuals are veterans and some are veterans’ widows. They don’t know that they are entitled to Massachusetts Veterans’ Benefits and that these benefits are different than US Veterans’ Affairs Benefits. They watch television but do not take the newspaper.
So you will have to be your brothers’/sisters’ keeper, if we are to reach them. They are fiercely independent and do not give out information about their income. That said, you have it in your power to ensure that they receive wise counsel on MA Veterans’ Benefits. You can give or read to them parts of this article. Why should you do this? One reason was that they or their spouse saved our country from defeat in any number of wars. They took care of us at the risk of their lives. Now we must insure they are fed, sheltered, and getting the medical care they deserve. We had one elderly person die last year in Marshfield because of freezing temperatures and no heat. We can do better.
All you have to do is explain to them that if their income is less than $1552.00, they are 65 or more, only themselves in the household, with less than $1600.00 in the bank; then they are probably eligible for Veterans’ Benefits. These benefits range from fuel assistance, reimbursement for Medicare, medical insurance, prescription drug coverage, and to the degree that their income is under $1000 a month, they may qualify for ordinary benefits for food and shelter.
In many cases, these veterans or their spouses need some assistance other than financial such as socialization, transportation and shopping assistance, and any number of essential care issues that this office in conjunction with other town services can provide.
In WWII, a small town in Nebraska with a population of 12,000 set up a canteen to serve their brothers and sisters, sons and daughters when their troop train came through their North Platte Community on its way to the West Coast and then fighting in the South Pacific. However, when the troop train arrived, their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters of Company D of the Nebraska National Guard were not on it. The train was loaded with Company D of the Kansas National Guard. “After a few awkward moments, the North Platte residents began to pass out their gifts to the soldiers from Kansas.” These weren’t their boys but they were lonely, far from home and many would not be coming back. From this humble start, this town had over a million soldiers come through their town on troop trains in WWII. The town welcomed
each soldier gave him or her a gift and made them feel at home for awhile.
We all have this country and its’ security in common. Taking care of veterans’ and their spouses who have bourne the battle started back in Abe Lincoln’s Presidency.
For further assistance regarding Veterans Benefits contact Veterans’ Services at 781-834-5576.
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