Replies

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2003 -- The Department of Veterans
Affairs wants former prisoners of war who aren't using VA
benefits to contact the department to find out if they may
be eligible for disability compensation and other services.

More than 23,000 former prisoners of war already receive
compensation from VA. This year, the department mailed
information about benefits to another 4,700 known ex-POWs
not on its rolls. However, VA estimates it does not have an
address for as many as 11,000 more former POWs.

VA is asking former POWs not receiving benefits who did not
receive a VA letter recently to call the department at 1-
800-827-1000.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said VA
has expanded policies to cover increasing numbers of former
POWs as new illnesses have been found related to captivity.
The administration currently is pressing to get even more
compensation and medical care benefits for former POWs.

"These veterans sacrificed for their country in time of
war, and it's the nation's turn to serve them, to help them
determine if they are entitled to compensation, health care
or other services," Principi said.

According to the VA, 90 percent of former POWs are veterans
of World War II, and their service predates the use of
Social Security numbers as a military "service number."
That, coupled with the decades that have elapsed since
their service, makes it difficult for the department to
track down those who have not opened a file with VA in
recent years, VA officials said.

The most recent expansion of VA benefits for former POWs
was a July regulation that added cirrhosis of the liver to
the list of diseases to which entitlement to disability
compensation is presumed in former POWs. Similar policies
making it easier for former POWs to obtain compensation
have been enacted for POWs detained for 30 days or more who
develop specific illnesses.

(Adapted from a Department of Veterans Affairs news
release.)

You ask why?

You ask why I follow this Jesus?
Why I love Him the way I do?
When the world's turned away from His teachings
And the people who serve Him are few.

It's not the rewards I'm after
Or gifts that I hope to receive
It's the Presence that calls for commitment
It's the Spirit I trust and believe.

The Lord doesn't shelter His faithful
Or spare them all suffering and pain,
Like everyone else I have burdens,
And walk through my share of rain.

Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose,
And that joy only Christians have known,
I never know what comes tomorrow,
But I do know I'm never alone.

It's the love always there when you need it;
It's the words that redeem and inspire,
It's the longing to ever be with Him
That burns in my heart like a fire.

So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?
Well, friend, that's so easy to see,
But the one thing that fills me with wonder is
Why Jesus loves someone like me.

- Author Unknown