To clarify some misconceptions and to set the record straight, the VA recently published a fact sheet on the subject. To share, and to capsulate, the following paragraphs summarize the straight word on this so often addressed and misunderstood subject.

The National Archives and Records Administration is the official depository for records of military personnel separated from the five services. These records are housed at three sites: The National Archives in D.C., the Washington National Records Center in Suitland, MD, and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis.

The NPRC which is the largest of the three facilities contains records relating to:

*  U.S. Army officers separated after June 30, 1917, and enlisted Army personnel separated after October 31,1912.

*  U.S. Air Force personnel separated after September 1947.

*  U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Personnel separated, in general terms, at the turn of the century.

*U.S. Coast Guard officers separated after 1928, and enlisted personnel separated after 1914.

It is hard to determine exactly what was lost in the fire, because, there were no indices to the blocks of records involved, and the records were merely filed in alphabetical order for the U.S. Army for the war periods from 1912 to 1959, and the U.S. Air Force from 1947-1963.

A key point, millions of records, especially medical records, had been withdrawn from all three groups and loaned to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to the fire. The fact that one's records are not in NPRC files at a particular time does not mean the records were destroyed in the fire.

 VA ALERT:

The North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs recently informed us of VA correspondence alerting us of internet advertising of "LUMP SUM PURCHASE OF VETERANS BENEFITS". It stated that certain private companies are advertising on the internet, offering to buy the rights to receive veterans monthly benefit payments in exchange for a lump sum payment to the veteran.

Under Title 38, USC {5301, Department of Veterans Affairs benefits are not assignable under such contracts. Therefore, the VA may not pay benefits to third parties under such contracts. For more information, please call the Carteret County Veterans Services Office @ (252)728-8440.

 FOR THE NEW VA HEALTH CARE ENROLLEE:

If you would like assistance in getting established in the VA Health Care for treatment and/or medication a good resource for assisting a veteran is the Carteret County Veterans Service Office @ (252)728-8440. A note for those veterans needing medication, the VA Medical Center

Fayetteville has been filling prescriptions written by local physicians and have been given a total of six months worth of medications. For particulars call the Carteret County Veterans Services Office.

The U.S. Army Military History Institute (MHI) is the official central repository for scholars, historians, and veterans in search of historical sources materials. The institute has information on unit histories, battles, specific operations, and individual soldiers' experiences.

MHI is looking for Army veterans of World War II and the Korean War who are interested in answering questions about their wartime experiences. The surveys are designed to elicit firsthand responses on a wide range of subject areas, and veterans are encouraged to provide their thoughts and reflections on different aspects of their military service such as personal background, training experiences, combat actions, demobilization, and postwar experiences. Although the survey focuses toward Army ground forces, questionnaires are being completed by Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard veterans.