Veteran Benefits – August 2021

VA Benefits Experts on Deck

This week is our monthly program on the VA and your benefits.

Call us with your questions during the live broadcast! 734-822-1600

OR

Click on the envelope to the left and send us your questions via email.

Join our regular guests Brig. General (ret) Carol Ann Fausone from Legal Help For Veterans, Brian Hayes,  Public Affairs Officer, VA Ann Arbor (MI) and Michael Smith, Washtenaw County (MI) Dept. of Veteran Affairs. They along with host Jim Fausone will bring you up to date on what’s going on at the VA and answer your questions regarding any and all benefits you may be entitled to.

An important note for all veterans => Keep your VA contact information (phone number, address, email address) and marital status updated in a timely fashion. This assures that you will receive notifications from the VA and enables the VA to administer to your needs.

Our guests on this program:

• Brig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret), Legal Help for Veterans
• Michael G. Smith, Jr., Director of Washtenaw County (MI) Dept. of Veteran Affairs
• Brian Hayes, Public Affairs Officer, VA Ann Arbor Michigan

Call us Sunday between 5-6 pm ET at: 734-822-1600

Sharon Sykes – US WINGS TOP GUN MAVERICK JACKET GIVEAWAY #5

Thank you for your service Sharon – while on active duty and as a veteran helping other veterans! 

From Sharon:

I served in the US Air Force from January 8, 1980 until June 16 1983. I received an Honorable Discharge upon Honorable Conditions.

I started out in the Air Force completing both Basic Training and The United States Air Force Police Academy at Lackland Air Force Base. My first assignment was to Kunsan, Korea for one year. The remainder of my Service was at K.I. Sawyer AFB in Northern Michigan about 30 miles from Marquette.

Due to MST( Military Sexual Trauma) I spent many years as a homeless drug addict. I attempted suicide on August 31, 2015. A friend found me, got me to the Detroit VA where I spent 10 days in the detox ward. After that, the VA sent me to Emmanuel House where I stayed for one year.

During my stay there when I had about 5 months clean, a member of Americorps asked if I wanted to serve as a Veteran Resource Navigator, since he saw me helping other Veterans fill out paperwork, forms for benefits, etc. I did and it was the best decision of my life.

After moving here to Piquette Square For Veterans which is a 150 unit apartment building for formerly homeless Veterans, I decided to utilize my skills and training to start my own program called “The Homeless Detroit Advocate Project” via a public Facebook page which serves as a Veterans resource page as well as stories and information for Veterans and their families.

I’m very grateful to have been chosen as the winner of the jacket and will wear it proudly.

Here is Sharon’s Facebook page for “The Homeless Detroit Advocate Project”.