I just completed a five-night training program that made me a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member. This new organization initiated by County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi is funded by the NYS Emergency Management Office and FEMA, and organized by Nassau County Office of Emergency Management. CERT members are trained to assist emergency response teams during emergencies and disasters. Training includes emergency preparedness, first aid, community and family safety, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, terrorism issues, and CERT procedures. In times of emergency, many veterans will ask what they can do to help. Becoming a CERT team member is a great way to protect one's family and community. Training for the next CERT team begins Feb. 15 at Floral Park Village Hall. Call the Office of Emergency Management at 573-0636 to request a registration form.

Four new websites are available to help spouses of active duty military find employment. They are: www.msccn.org, www.Military.com/spouse, www.militaryspousejobsearch.org, www.usadecco.com/carreraccelerator.

The Northport VA Medical Center was cited by a national VA inspection team for 12 Best Practices. The Management Quality Assurance Audit was conducted Nov. 14-17, 2005.

While eligible veterans can get their prescription drugs from the VA Medical Center by mail or in person for $8 per drug for a 30-day supply, spouses cannot. Deciding what prescription drug plan your husband or wife should choose may be made easier if he or she attends one of 25 different presentations conducted by the Nassau County Office of Senior Citizen Affairs between now and April 6. Call 227-8900 for the time, date, and location of a presentation nearest you.

Hundreds of seriously injured soldiers are now recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. You can cheer them up by sending a card or letter. Send your kind thoughts to: A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

Six days after the VA announced it would abandon its plan to re-examine 72,000 PTSD claims, Senator Larry Craig, hairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee announced that the VA would commission a new study. James W. Doran, National Service Director for AMVETS, has raised the issue that this new study is aimed at reducing benefits to veterans suffering with PTSD.

A $25,000 scholarship is being offered by Berkeley College of Paramus, N.J. to the dependent child of a member of the United States military who was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. For information call 973-278-5400 ext. 1354.

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is also offering $4,000 scholarships and interest-free loans to enlisted service members and children of members of MOAA. Check out their website: www.MOAA.org/education.

The war in Iraq demands multiple tours of duty for regular, Reserve, and Guard personnel. The Armed Forces Reserve Family Assistance Fund (AFRFAF) has helped many Army Reserve and Guard families, but are about to run out of funds. Uniondale is the home of the 800th MP Brigade part of the 77th Reserve Readiness Command in Fort Totten. Support for the fund is needed. Contact www.afrfaf.org.

Marine Vietnam Veteran Jim Barnes has announced that the Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) is sponsoring a Wounded Warrior weekend Feb. 2-5. Fifty amputee veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will participate in ski activities in Windham, NY. Last summer, ASF conducted a Water Sports Festival at Gateway National Park in Breezy Point for the Wounded Warriors. "If I can do this, I can do anything" is a common saying of the Wounded Warriors when they accomplish a water or snow ski experience. For information on ASF call 518-734-5070 or go to: www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org. Of course they would welcome donations.

One man in six will eventually be diagnosed with prostate cancer. That means 5,000 of Nassau County's 30,000 Vietnam veterans either have, or will get prostate cancer. The VA recognizes prostate cancer as a presumptive condition caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. If you know a Vietnam Veteran with prostate cancer or who has had this cancer and is now in remission, tell him to contact the Veterans Service Agency at 572-8452. We will be glad to help you open a claim for benefits.

Medal of Honor Recipient L/Cpl Thomas P. Noonan Jr. USMC KIA 5 February 1969, will be remembered Feb. 4, 2006 at a service at Calvary Cemetery Greenpoint Ave. and Gale Ave., Sunnyside, NY at 11:15 a.m. Fellowship and indoor service to follow at VVA Chapter # 32, 88-61 76th Ave., Glendale, NY. For more information, call 718-830-0037.