VFW helps widow recover her husband’s due
Adelore Palmiter was a veteran of World War II and a survivor of the sinking of the USS INDIANAPOLIS (one of the 317 who survived from the crew of 1,197). You probably know the story of the INDIANAPOLIS and the horror that the survivors witnessed. Adelore was an 18-year-old sailor at the time, but he never thought that he was owed any benefits from the Veterans’ Affairs Department until his later years – the process of recalling the event proved too traumatic for him, though.
From the VFW;
[Paul Pirlot, state director of the VFW Detroit Service Office in Michigan] said, “The second attempt was completed after we contacted him several years later. Sadly, he passed away before a decision was made.”
Realizing Adelore had a surviving widow, the VFW Department of Michigan Service Office pressed ahead.
“Several roadblocks had to be navigated. The process was not easy, and we worked with VA offices in both Detroit and Washington D.C., as well as a VA congressional liaison,” Pirlot continued.
“Everyone worked tirelessly and passionately to ensure that Mrs. Palmiter received the maximum benefits allowed by the law.”
As a result of these efforts, Wilma Palmiter was awarded monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, accrued benefits and service-connected burial benefits.
That’s what VSOs are there for. My compliments to the VFW for not allowing this widow to fall by the wayside which would have been easy since she suffers from dementia and her husband had passed away. The VSOs are more than a cheap barroom packed with war story-telling pensioners. They are our voice in the halls of Congress and state legislatures and our advocates to the bureaucracy.
Category: Veterans in the news
Well done, VFW. Very well done indeed.
Yet another reason why I’m a proud Life Member of the VFW.
Amen! Not many men had it worst than those on the Indianapolis!!
BZ!
(from a VFW Life Member)
Life member here…
“Later in life, Adelore decided he would try to file a claim for VA benefits. However, the process of recalling the tragic events proved so overwhelming, he was unable to complete the process.”
This pisses me off so much. Despite indisputable evidence of eligibility, probably for decades before applying, the earliest date of compensation is arbitrarily set with the COMPLETED claim.
A mere act of Congress could change the compensation date to the earliest point there was sufficient evidence to prove the claim.
So despite the happy ending for his widow, the veteran was in-fact never compensated, and his family did not benefit from those proceeds.
I was told for years (by VSO reps, as well as by VA and military doctors) that I wasn’t eligible. Then I actually researched the applicable laws for myself and found out that I was. Even then it took just under two years for the VA to approve me. I’d like to have those extra years of pay.
Bravo Zulu, V!
A burial at sea, the only one of record where the man was buried in his duty station, the gunnery cockpit of an aircraft…hard to watch this one! http://loyceedeen.webstarts.com/uploads/GoingHome.mp4
Yes it is, but at the same time, despite the dust in the air, it shows the love and respect these guys had for one another.
For those who might be interested, the US Navy still offers burial at sea to any honorably discharged veteran, regardless of his branch of service.
The veteran’s remains are taken out to sea on a US warship, and the ceremony performed by members of the crew. One I witnessed had every available crewman on the flight deck and along the rails in dress blues. Those guys weren’t required to participate, but we all did out of respect for a fellow veteran.
Here’s the FAQ for anyone interested in Burial at Sea by the Navy.
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/questions/burial.html
Thank you for that link. My father, a Navy vet, has always insisted that we should just “dig a hole in the back yard” for his burial. I think this would suit him perfectly.
VFW was instrumental in getting me eventually to 100% even though I was not a VFW member. They helped me several times over many years throughout the process as new issues developed.
Both the DAV and the Legion have represented me at different times and I cannot say enough good things about both of those organizations.
Having a VSO represent you is a no-brainer these days. They know all the forms, regs, etc and how/where to take care of applications, etc.
Same with me and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Not only did they get my case settled in 45 days, the representative calls me every month to check on me.
Kudos to the VFW. While some posts might turn a blind eye to bullshit liars, most stand ready to help any legit vet, member or not.
I’ve received great assistance from both the VFW and DAV. One would fill in for the other on occasion. I recall after IVAN, when I had a pine tree through my garage door, little roof and the place mostly trashed, DAV set up a little assist van outside the local VA Clinic. They gave out checks for $500 with proof of residency (driver’s license). Most SO are standup groups.
Much respect to those who followed through on this. I am not a member of any VSO and do not collect any entitlement from anyone.
My Dear father was a life time member of the VFW and commanded post 512 in Denver for many years. He also established a new post in Oak Creek Colo and later became mayor of that small town. I remember him telling me a story of when he took crazy Uncle Joe Biden fishing when the congressional delegation came up there to see about funding a lake for the towns water supply. He said he was too stupid to put a worm on the hook. My father spent his life with the VFW but sadly had to resign after the bullshit of my pos brother came to light. He was too ashamed of him to remain in the VFW any longer. That is one of the main reasons I pray he will be put in prison soon for all of his phony shit. I am counting down the days for the VA to get back to me regarding his investigation. They said I had to give them 30 days to respond. I will let you all know what they say?? Please pray for me!!!