SCDVA Weekly Newsletter - August 20

South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs sent this bulletin at 08/20/2021 12:20 PM EDT

Weekly Newsletter

August 20, 2021

Veteran of the Week

We are honored to recognize LCPL Chase McCallister as our Veteran of the Week. Thank you to a former Veteran of the Week Jared Evans for the nomination!

You can read more about McCallister's story by CLICKING HERE.

Crisis in Afghanistan

The news in Afghanistan is frightening and heartbreaking. There are tens of thousands of refugees and interpreters who are seeking escape from the Taliban. Veterans, military members and civilians want to know how they can help.

CLICK HERE to learn more about resources, programs and nonprofits dedicated to helping those in the crisis.

Korean War Veteran laid to rest

More than 70 years after being killed in action during the Korean War, Pfc. Louis Nelson Crosby is laid to rest this week in his native town of Orangeburg.

Crosby's family and oldest brother were in attendance of Wednesday's ceremony along with several Veterans groups, and SCDVA Secretary Will Grimsley who spoke on behalf of Governor Henry McMaster.

We've posted several photos from this week's graveside service on our website. You can view by CLICKING HERE.

Educational Assistance Refunds

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined approximately 115,000 Veterans may be eligible for a refund of their unused Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) contributions totaling up to $2,700, but VA only has contact information for 25% of them.

Veterans potentially eligible for a refund would have:

Entered Active Duty between 01/01/77 to 06/30/85.
Contributed to VEAP while on active duty and before 4/01/87.
Not used all their contributions.
Not have been dishonorably discharged.
Completed 24 months of continuous service or have been discharged early due to:

1. Convenience of the government within three months of the end of their enlistment (an “early out” under Title 10, Section 1171).

2. Hardship (under Title 10, Section 1173).

3. Service-connected disability (this includes those rated for a compensable service-connected disability even if they were not discharged for that disability).

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a refund or whether you participated in VEAP, you can call the Education Call Center at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442 4551) domestically or 001-918-781-5678 overseas, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CT