Montana Veteran's Organizations:
• Memorial Rose Garden
in Missoula is the site for the Montana State Vietnam and the Montana State Korean Memorials. Rose Park itself has been designated by the Montana Legislature as the Montana State Veterans Memorial Park. Contact Charlie Brown, 251-6466 or
542-5770.
• American Legion No. 27. Office hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Friday. Phone: 543-7391. Meets first and third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., 825 Ronan St. Breakfast first Monday each month, 7-9:30 a.m. Elections held in May.
• American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 27. President, Dee Harrison, 251-4908. Meets third Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m., noon, Golden Corral. Elections held in May.
• American Legion Forgotten Warriors No. 101, Vietnam Era and Post-Vietnam Era Group. Contact Dan Gallagher at 721-5582, Daniel Krieg at 240-4941 or write Box 4101, Missoula, 59806. Meets third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Call for information. Elections held in April.
• Civil Air Patrol. Contact Capt. Kaye Ebelt, Missoula Composite Squadron Commander, 251-3341. An auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Provides emergency services, aerospace education and cadet leadership training. Welcomes adults who have earned a private pilot’s license and adults who are interested in becoming trained in radio communications, emergency services, aerospace education or working with cadets. The cadet program for ages 12-18 develops leadership skills, military bearing, civic awareness and, through a promotion program, allows cadets to learn how to fly single-engine airplanes. Cadets also are trained in emergency services and practice once a month with adult members. Meets every Thursday, 6:30-9 p.m. at the National Guard Armory. Web site www.capnhq.gov.
• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Bitterroot Chapter. Contact Shirley Bartlett, 542-1024, dbfm50@in-tch.com; Luanna Butler, 251-5277; Blanche Tate, 549-2855; or Kim Ashwell, 728-0173. Meets second Saturday of each month, 1 p.m., various locations.
• Marine Corps League – Hellgate Detachment 883. Meets third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., at the National Guard Armory, 2501 Reserve St. Contact Doug Reeves, 543-6077.
• Missoula Vet Center.
Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 721-4918 or 1-800-626-8686. Provides counseling to veterans. 500 N. Higgins Ave., 59802.
• Montana Veterans Affairs Division. 2501 S. Reserve St., Missoula. 542-2501. A state-funded veterans advocacy organization that assists with claims for disability, pensions and education through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Vet Center. 500 N. Higgins Ave. 721-4918. Offers counseling services to veterans.
• United Veterans Council Associated Veterans Relief Board. A veterans agency serving emergency food, clothing and transportation needs of veterans and families. Contact John Sawyer, 542-2542.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Ole Beck Post No. 209 and Auxiliary. 245 W. Main St. 728-7749. Post commander, George Sandau. Auxiliary president, Evelyn Fuquay, 543-7142. Post meets third Thursday of month, 7 p.m.; auxiliary meets second Tuesday of month,
2 p.m.; karaoke Friday and Saturday; bingo, Monday, 7 p.m.
• Western Montana Military Officers Association. Meets monthly. Contact Gordon Read, 363-2960, or Robert Wood, 251-5679.
• Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery Committee. Working to establish a state of Montana veterans cemetery in Missoula. Armed forces veterans (except those with dishonorable discharges) and their spouses are eligible to be buried in state veterans cemeteries. Contact C.E. Crookshanks, 728-2014.
Did you know that…
There are about 108,000 Montana veterans, with many eligible for benefits due to their military service. The State of Montana and the federal VA has an extremely wide spectrum of benefits.
However, many veterans are not aware of the benefits and assistance available to them.
The Montana Board of Veterans’ Affair’s and the Vets' Voice goal is to inform as many people as possible that there is assistance available; and that assistance is provided – at no charge – by the State of Montana’s Veterans’ Affairs Division, which has service offices located throughout the state
Each service officer is fully trained, accredited and certified to provide the best service possible for the veteran or veteran family member client. All it takes is a phone call.
Federal and State Programs and Benefits Offered to Veterans:
*Health Care
*Service-Connected Disability Compensation
*Pension
*Education and Training
*Burial and Survivor Benefits
*Employment Services
*Vehicle Registration Waiver
*Property Tax Waiver
*Home and Business Loans
*Every program or benefit has specific qualifying eligibility criteria.
It is very important that veterans contact the nearest State of Montana veterans’ service office for further information and assistance.
Montana’s “Veteran” License Plate Program:
As a veteran, you are eligible to purchase a “Veteran” vehicle license plate. The veteran license plate costs $10 annually, and its statewide sales are earmarked to maintain and operate our state veterans’ cemetery program. We currently have two veterans cemeteries located at Fort Harrison (near Helena) and Miles City; with a third soon under construction in Missoula. You can display your veteran pride with the plate, while keeping our cemeteries operated and maintained to National Shrine Standards.
FEDERAL VA – MONTANA INFORMATION
FORT HARRISON VA CENTER
(406) 442-6410
FEDERAL VA WEBSITE www.va.gov
HEALTHCARE INFORMATION
1-877-4MT-VETS (1-877-468-8387)
Press 1: Medication Refills
Press 2: Appointment Scheduling
Press 3: Patient Advocate
Healthcare Eligibility & Enrollment:
442-6410 ext. 7460; 7468 or 7457
Billing Inquiries or Patient Account Information: 447-7600
Medication Dial-A-Refill: 447-7921
Outpatient Pharmacist: 447-7974
Prosthetic Services: (wheel chairs, canes, oxygen supplies; hearing aids and glasses): 447-7952
Patient Travel Office: 447-7626
Homeless Veteran Program Coordinators:
Healthcare: 442-6410 ext. 7309
Veterans Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
Disabled American Veteran Transport Program to VA Medial Facilities
Ft. Harrison: 443-8755
Billings: 651-2143
ext. Contact Us:
The Veterans' Voice
P.O. Box 933,
200-1/2 S. Hubbard St.
Plains, MT 59859
888-826-3215
