U.S. Veterans

Ten of the best sites for or about United States military veterans. Know of another site that should be on this list? Leave your suggestion at the bottom of this page. (Related searches: Post Military Employment, Colin Powell)

1. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs - Sometimes known as the VA, this United States government organization offers a variety of services to United States veterans and their immediate families, including health care benefits administration, compensation as a result of military-related disability, education and training benefits as well as vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance, VA home loans, life insurance, burial benefits, more. Go here for more information on these benefits and to get eligibility requirements, apply for services, or to find your local VA office. (www.va.gov)

2. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Membership organization for US veterans who have served abroad and have received a recognized campaign medal or who meet other eligibility requirements. The VFW advocates for U.S. veterans through legislative lobbying, supports currently deployed military, offers support for youth programs, and provides local social and community events at VFW posts and, in some cases, VFW halls. (www.vfw.org)

3. The History of Veterans Day - Timeline of the creation of Veterans Day, from its origin after World War I as Armistice Day to the name change after the huge number of additional war veterans created as a result of World War II and the Korean War. Discusses the changes in the date of Veterans Day from November 11 to the fourth Monday in October and back to November 11 again. (www.history.army.mil)

4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial -The Wall - Though not the official site of the Vietname Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., this site dedicated to the memorial monument offers more information, including a database of all the U.S. soldiers killed in Vietnam, including the dates of their service and date of death. Also includes other memorial photos, facts about the names on the wall such as which states had the greatest number of Vietnam casualties, more. (thewall-usa.com)

5. U.S. Veterans Affairs Facility Locator and Directory - Go here to find the nearest veterans hospitals and medical clinics, as well as other VA vet centers. (www1.va.gov)

6. Our View: Veterans Funding or Permanent Tax Cuts? - April 5, 2008 editorial on the need for increased funding for veteran benefits and the possibility that this money will come at the expense of tax cuts for the very wealthy. Includes this statement: “One tenth of the revenue from removing just tax breaks to hedge fund managers would fund the increase in the VA that Congress is proposing.” (www.mankatofreepress.com)

7. Veterans Advantage - Veterans membership organization that partners with retailers and service providers for discounts on merchandise, insurance, travel, prescription drugs, phone services and more. (www.veteransadvantage.com)

8. Diaper Division Veterans Recall Heroics with Humility - April 6, 2008 article on World War II veterans meeting up in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a reunion. The group was known as the “Diaper Division” for their relative youth at the time they saw combat. (www.journalgazette.net)

9. VA Employees Rack Up $2.6 Billion in Credit Card Charges for Veterans Care - April 6, 2008 article on some questionable spending by employees of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs that has government auditors investigating. (www.bostonherald.com)

10. U.S. Patriot Card - Membership card that offers discounts from major retailers and service providers. For each card purchased, a Veterans Advantage Card (see #7 above) will be given to a returning military veteran. (www.uspatriotcard.com)