Inside this issue: Jan 2015 Volume 10 Issue 1-2015 Home Loan 1 Blind Veterans 2 Brotherhood 3 What is a VA Guaranteed Loan? By Joseph Hannagan Jr. Brotherhood Christmas A VVA Christmas! 4 5 Veterans Administration-guaranteed loans are made by private lenders, such as banks, credit unions or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home, which must be their own personal occupancy. Veterans apply for a loan through a lender and if the loan is approved the VA guarantees a portion of the total loan. VA s guarantee allows the veteran to obtain a competitive interest rate without a down payment. The amount of the loan a veteran can be approved for depends on the property location and entitlement available, as well as credit and income factors. VA loans offer these important features: Equal opportunity for all qualified veterans Buyer informed of reasonable value No down payment Closing cost are comparable and may be lower Negotiable interest rate No mortgage insurance premiums An assumable mortgage Right to repay without penalty If you would like an article placed in this Newsletter, you can email me at: David.Donohew@ charlottecountyfl.gov Loan Closing: veteran and spouse attend the loan closing and sign the note, mortgage and other related papers. The lender will explain the loan terms and requirements. When the loan is reported to the VA, the Certificate of Eligibility is annotated to reflect the use of entitlement and returned to the applicant. March 5th, 2015 is Veterans Appreciation day at the Tampa Rays opening day of spring training. I have free tickets for anyone that would like to attend. Please call me at (941) 764-5579 to reserve your tickets! David Donohew The editor took care in the preparation of the publication but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, omissions or misprints and advertisements are published in good faith. David W. DONOHEW
Page 2 Contact Charlotte County Veteran Services at (941) 764-5579! The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is an organization comprised of veterans who are legally or totally blind. The blind condition does not require any connection with service in any of our Country s Armed forces. The BVA is the only organization chartered by the U.S. congress to represent the needs of blinded veterans in supporting legislation that helps blinded veterans, most often legislation that directs the Veterans administration in their care of blinded veterans. The BVA has been successful in creating the Visually Impaired Support Team (VIST) within the VA that is responsible for coordinating the VA s various health care branches to ensure the best possible care for our blinded veterans. The BVA has also been successful in creating the position of Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) whose duty is to visit the blinded veterans in their residence to evaluate and provide special equipment and devices to enable the blinded veteran to live as independently as possible. The BVA also was instrumental in the creation of Blind Rehabilitation Centers where intense one-on-one training is provided to the blinded veteran to equip him or her in the transition to the blind condition. If you know of any veteran who is legally or totally blind who is not receiving the specialized support provided by the VA health care system, please have them contact Bill Stockslager via phone at (941) 276-1561 and he will assist them in the process of obtaining this vital support from the VA health care system. In service, Bill Stockslager, wstockslager@comcast.net (941) 276-1561 We received a donation for the Stand Down Fund from the District 12 General Federation of Women s Clubs out of Rotonda West, Florida. This donation was made in loving memory of Judy Ventrella. The laugh your off corner! The Captain called the Sergeant in. "Sarge, I just got a telegram. Private Jones' mother died yesterday. Better go tell him and send him in to see me." So the Sergeant calls for his morning formation and lines up all the troops. "Listen up, men," says the Sergeant. "Johnson, report to the mess hall for KP. Smith, report to Personnel to sign some papers. The rest of you men report to the Motor Pool for maintenance. Oh by the way, Jones, your mother died, report to the commander." Later that day the Captain called the Sergeant into his office. "Hey, Sarge, that was a pretty cold way to inform Jones his mother died. Couldn't you be a bit more tactful, next time?" "Yes, sir," answered the Sarge. A few months later, the Captain called the Sergeant in again with, "Sarge, I just got a telegram. Private McGrath's mother died. You'd better go tell him and send him in to see me. This time be more tactful." So the Sergeant calls for his morning formation. "Ok, men, fall in and listen up. Everybody with a mother, take two steps forward -- NOT SO FAST, McGRATH!"
Page 3 Vietnam Brotherhood, Delta Company Delta Company, Vietnam Brotherhood. Christmas 2014 for needy veterans and their families For our 5 th year of organizing this event, we traveled 65 miles round trip in 3 hours around Charlotte County on Christmas Eve morning. There were 16 members of the Brotherhood: Buck (aka Santa), Barb, Stash, Boulevard Dave, Four Deuce, Brenda, Buff, Boston, Pam, The Colonel, Sue, Debbie, Capt. Moe, Terry (with his brother, Tim), Baz & Kay. Thanks to all who assisted: Debbie with the shopping; Ray, Dee, Phil & Brenda with the wrapping; and Sue for the newspaper pictures. We delivered complete turkey dinners and gifts to 7 families with 16 children. Three of the veterans were women. They were upbeat considering some of their depressing situations. unemployment, disabilities, illness, the most tragic being the Desert Shield spouse who committed suicide last year. It felt good to help make their holiday a little brighter. As always the children were mesmerized by Santa! Submitted by: Baz & Kay Berner (see page 5 for more pictures!
Page 4 The Brotherhood delivers Christmas presents to local veterans and their families!
Page 5 Christmas Cheer at South Port Square with the Vietnam Veterans of America!