Quilting for Wounded Warriors

(This article appears in the May-June 2014 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.) 

Sue Carney, Human Relations Director

APWU Auxiliary member Bailey Gocke, age 15, has created a quilt – made of 1,304 squares – to help raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, one of several APWU-sponsored programs to Support Our Troops and Veterans.

Bailey is the granddaughter of Kathy Danek, APWU Auxiliary President, and Terry Danek, Editor of the Lincoln Area Local. The ‘Slumber Party’ pattern quilt took four months to make. Bailey was awarded a purple ribbon for the quilt at the 2013 York, NE County Fair.

The prize-winning quilt is not Bailey’s first.  Along with members of her 4-H club, Bailey has contributed covers to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which sends the handmade blankets to military members wounded in combat to comfort them during their recovery.

The Auxiliary is selling raffle tickets for Bailey’s quilt for $5 each at APWU events to help reach its $20,000 goal by the 2014 National Convention in Chicago. More than $11,000 has already been raised. To purchase a ticket contact Kathy Danek at (402) 464-8557. Void where prohibited.

New Health ID Cards for Veterans

The Veterans Affairs Department has begun the process of replacing more than 4 million identification cards for veterans who use the Veterans Health Administration system for medical care. The VA expects to complete the mailing of the new Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC) to currently enrolled veterans by July. Veterans who are new to the system are currently eligible to get a card when they register in the VA health system.

The new VHIC features updated security measures, as well as the card-holder’s photo, health plan number, level of coverage and a branch-of-service logo. The card functions like a health insurance card but does not authorize or pay for care at non-VA medical facilities.

The VA is encouraging veterans to call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) to ensure their mailing address is current. For additional security, the VA is recommending that veterans shred their old card once they receive the replacement. Veterans can use their existing VHIC cards unit the new card arrives. To learn more visit va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic.