On Nov. 3, the Veterans Council of St. Johns County met with the Board of County Commissioners to receive a proclamation from the Commissioners honoring our Veterans. As we have done every year in the past, we presented the BCC with gifts. This year, we presented each of the Commissioners and Administration with a copy of LTC Greg Moore's book, “Sacred Ground: The Military Cemetery at St. Augustine,” that he wrote before his passing.  Alison Simpson, Command Historian, Florida National Guard, wrote an inscription in the front cover “In remembrance of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, and in honor of our nation's veterans, please accept this book on behalf of LTC (Retired) Gregory A. Moore, deceased, as a token of appreciation for your service to this community and as a source for inspiration to learn more about our great country and the men and women who made it so.” LTC Greg Moore’s widow Nancy Moore was in attendance for the presentation. Bill Dudley, Chairman Veterans Council of St. Johns County

Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA. Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. This effort is a key part of VA’s 10-year National Strategy for Preventing Veteran  Suicide and the Biden-Harris administration’s plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide. In September, VA released the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which showed that Veteran suicides decreased in 2020 for the second year in a row, and that fewer Veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006. “Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve – no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,” said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.” VA has submitted an interim final rule to the federal register to establish this authority under section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020. The final policy, which takes effect on Jan. 17, will allow VA to: Provide, pay for, or reimburse for treatment of eligible individuals’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care. Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care. Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits. Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergency suicide care. Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, are: Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable. Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces. Over   the   past   year,   VA   has   announced   or   continued   several   additional   efforts   to   end   Veteran suicide,   including   establishing   988   (then   press   1)   as   a   way   for   Veterans   to   quickly   connect   with   caring,    qualified    crisis    support    24/7;     proposing    a    new    rule    that    would    reduce    or    eliminate   copayments    for   Veterans   at   risk   of   suicide;   conducting   an   ongoing   public   outreach   effort   on firearm   suicide   prevention   and   lethal   means   safety;    and   leveraging   a   national   Veteran   suicide   prevention awareness campaign, “Don’t Wait. Reach Out. ” ### If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.