Veterans Voice: Celebrating new benefits for military pensioners

Perhaps the most significant event relating to veterans in recent months was the end of the state income tax on military pensions, which was enacted in the recently approved state budget.

In a ceremony on July 21 at Operation Stand Down in Johnston, Gov. Dan Mckee's administration highlighted this milestone.

Kasim Yarn, director of the Office of Veterans Services, said: “Ending taxation of military service pensions is not only the right thing to do in recognition of the many Rhode Islanders who fought courageously for our freedom, but it’s also an investment in our state’s workforce.

“This change will allow us to retain top-tier talent, which can drive Rhode Island’s economy forward. Military retirees bring a wealth of knowledge and backgrounds, benefiting Rhode Island in innumerable ways.” 

During the ceremony, McKee also signed into law four pieces of legislation designed to support the state's veterans. Legislative sponsors and advocates of veterans joined McKee to mark their enactment.

Veterans Voice: Recently passed legislation of interest to vets

The veterans' bills include:

Stolen valor: Henceforth, anyone fraudulently representing oneself as an active or veteran member of the military or armed forces for the purpose of obtaining money, property or other tangible benefits will be subject to criminal prosecution.

Pet adoption fees: Veterans will now be exempt from pet adoption fees at public animal shelters.

Specialty license plates: McKee approved two special motor vehicle registration plates — one for recipients of the Bronze Star and the other for Purple Heart recipients.

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Recent events and activities

RI MOFW assists with care packages for deployed soldiers 

Jessica Holbrook and her team from the Family Resource Group of the 182nd Infantry organized a “care package party” on July 7 at the Schofield Armory in Cranston. Assisted by members of the Rhode Island Commandery of the Military Order of Foreign Wars (RI MOFW), the group was able to assemble, box and ship 45 packages for deployed soldiers of Company A, 1-182nd Infantry. The RI MOFW “adopted” Company A this year. MOFW, of which I am a member, also made a cash donation to cover expenses of the packing party.

Village Gas in Smithfield gave free gasoline to veterans 

Thanks to John Cianci of the Italian American War Veterans of the United States, we learned of a generous gesture deserving of recognition. Shan Abid, owner of Village Gas on Pleasant View Avenue in Smithfield, collaborated with three donors to provide free gas worth $50 to eligible veterans and service members on July 1. More than 260 veterans took advantage of the offer.

Three college friends, Bill Hogan, Rich Santelli and Robert Skeffington,  donated $10,000 to support the event. Abid also donated $1,000 and labor to provide full service to the veterans.

“Knowing how bad [gas] prices are, we came up with the idea to help our veterans before the Fourth of July,” Hogan said.

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Volunteers from the Italian American War Veterans and American Legion Post 88 in Harrisville verified veteran or active-duty status for those who lined up for the gasoline. “So satisfying to be able to give back to our veterans,” said Danielle Noury of Scituate. Noury and another gasoline attendant, Alessandra Gaido, provided full service to the veterans. “I’m excited about giving back to veterans who have done a lot for our country, and deserve more thank-yous like this," Gaido said.

Cianci, who first posted this story on RINewsToday.com, described the event as ”a gesture of kindness making a difference to hundreds of veterans and active-duty soldiers.”

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Westerly DAR chapter awards $20,000 to Holly Charette House 

The Holly Charette House in Johnston, Rhode Island’s only transitional housing for female veterans, received a $20,000 check from the Phebe Greene Ward Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The money will be used to purchase new furniture for the three two-bedroom apartments in the house, accommodating up to six female veterans. The House is operated by Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.

Dee Lee, the local DAR Chapter Regent, said the funds were derived from Vivian’s Outreach to Women (VOW), a program of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Announcements

Service members and veterans are sought for a “Learn to Weld Training Program” that will be held from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 in The Steel Yard at 27 Sims Ave. in Providence. Attendees will learn foundational welding and employable soft skills through an artistic curriculum. Participants will receive a $250 stipend and a certificate of completion. To apply, email workforce@thesteelyard.org, call (401) 273-7101 or visit thesteelyard.org/job-training.

A free summer writing workshop for veterans will be offered by the Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative (PCVI). Starting Aug. 7,  Marine Corps veteran Lucas Pralle will teach this class on a videoconference from 6 to 8 p.m.  Sundays through Sept. 11, except for Labor Day Weekend. To apply, click on https://pvdvets.org/summer-writing-seminar or contact Dr. Mark Santow, director of the PCVI, by email at pvdclementevets@gmail.com.

"Ocean Therapy" is available for free to veterans through Oct. 16. One-on-one sessions as well as an eight-week program are available. Break Through Waves, a nonprofit organization in Providence, offers adult programming that combines yoga, mindfulness and breathing exercises with surf therapy or standup paddleboarding.  One- to two-hour sessions are free and are specifically designed for those who have experienced trauma or who have been diagnosed with PTSD. For information, visit breakthroughwaves.org. Another program offered by Break Through Waves is surfing at Easton’s Beach (First Beach) at 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport. Standup paddleboarding is also part of the program, at West Island Corner of Goulart Memorial Drive and Alder Street in Fairhaven. For details or to sign up, visit  breakthroughwaves.com. These programs are made available through the Providence Vet Center.

The Narragansett Bow Hunters organization at 1531 Ten Rod Road in North Kingstown is offering archery lessons at no charge at an indoor range. Equipment such as bows, arrows, arm guards, targets, finger tabs along with instructions will be provided. For information, call  401) 295-7228 or visit narragansettbowhunters.org.

Calendar

Tuesday, 3 to 9 p.m., 2022 National Night Out, Rocky Point Park. The Warwick Police, the National Night Out Committee and We Be Jammin' are sponsoring this free annual event, which is to end with fireworks. NNO’s goals are to unite the police and the community and celebrate that partnership.

Friday, 11 a.m.: RING Retirees reunion/luncheon at the Quonset Officers Club, 200 Lt. James Brown Rd., North Kingstown. Contact Bob Antonelli at bob02909@cox.net or (401) 837-6028 or (401) 996-3764 for more information.

Aug. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., “World War II Sunday Funday” at Whitin Mill in Northbridge, Massachusetts. Sponsored by the National Park Service (Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park), this free event will include military and manufacturing exhibits from Woonsocket's Museum of Work and Culture and Battleship Cove in Fall River. Attendees can meet World War II veterans and hear their stories. There will also be special activities for kids. All veterans and serving military personnel will receive "America the Beautiful" and Federal Recreational Land passes, which provide free access to veterans and guests to national parks and historic sites nationwide.  The address is 50 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville, Massachusetts.   The phone is (508) 234-6232. From Providence, go north on Route 146 for about 30 miles to Exit 8.

Aug. 15, 6-7:30 p.m.: U.S. Rep David Cicilline will host his annual Veterans Community Conversation at Slater Park Pavilion at 825 Armistice Blvd. in Pawtucket. The event, postponed from July 25, will feature a barbecue dinner for veterans, active service members and their families.

Aug. 27, 8 a.m.:  Sixth annual Coventry — West Greenwich Elks Veterans Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Coventry Pines Golf Cours at 1065 Harkney Hill Rd. in Coventry. Shotgun start. Nine holes with cart at $75 per person. Includes various prizes and raffles and a gift bag for all players. Steak fry after the tournament at the Elks Club at 42 Nooseneck Hill Rd. in West Greenwich. Make checks payable, by Aug. 19, to BPOE #2285, and mail to Lori Ashness, 111 Tomahawk Trail, Cranston 02921. For details, call (401) 573-5063, or email ashnessla@gmail.com.

Sept. 15, 4:30-7:30 p.m.: Learn to surf cast for free at Scarborough Beach. The Providence Vet Center is teaming up with the Narragansett Surf Casters to offer a class to 15 service members and veterans. All the equipment you need to learn to catch fish from shore, along with instruction, will be provided by members of the Surf Casters. Please sign up with Justyn Charon by phone at (401) 739-0167 or via email at Justyn.Charon@va.gov.

To report the outcome of a previous activity or to add a future event to our calendar, please email the details (including a contact name and phone number/email address) to veteranscolumn@providencejournal.com.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Veterans Voice: Ending taxation of military service pensions