For U. S. Veterans and families of veterans: visit http://www.VeteranAid.org for important information.

The wonderful VeteranAid website is the creation of Debbie Cicirelli Burak who grew up in Virginia Gardens and graduated from Miami Springs Senior High in 1969. Her brother Ray Cicirelli graduated from Hialeah High School in the early 60's. Ray also went into the Coast Guard, made a career of it and retired as a Captain. Their father Frank Cicirelli was born, raised and died in Miami. Frank served in World War II and he was Chief Flight Engineer for NOAA for 35 years flying Lockheed C-130's all over the world. Frank passed away three years ago after living in an assisted living facility (ALF) and Debbie discovered a little known VA benefit that every family of a veteran should be aware of. The little known benefit is called the Aid and Attendance program that can provide up to $1,758 per month to a veteran, up to $1,130 per month to a surviving spouse, up to $2,085 per month to a veteran with a wife and up to $1380 per month to a veteran with a sick spouse. There are more details on Debbie's website so please check it out.

Debbie has made it her mission to publicize this benefit so that others may take advantage of it and help preserve family estates or at least see them dwindle away at a less rapid pace. I heartily commend her for her public service.

VeteranAid.org also operates a store selling high quality military and patriotic cotton throws and profits are used to spread the word of the VA Aid and Attendance program through advertising and public service spot announcements. The store's website address is http://www.veteranaid.org/store/ and it contains two pages of various throws for sale.