There are 26 million veterans in the United States. Sixty seven percent of those veterans are unaware of the benefits that they are entitled to. The remaining 33 percent who are aware of their benefits are, for the most part, members of veterans organizations. The correlation of being a member of a veterans organization and being aware of veterans benefits is no error.

By being members of veterans organizations, veterans are updated and better informed about veterans benefits. The sad thing is that the 67 percent of the veterans in this country who are not aware of their benefits could be better informed if they were members of a veterans organization. This affects them as well as their families.

Becoming a member of a veterans organization is easy. All a veteran has to do is find a veterans organization that he or she can join. Many times there is a post representing a veterans organization right in their hometown.

A veteran has to show proof of service such as discharge papers. Then, a veteran is sworn in as a member of the post. As a member, they can attend meetings which are usually once a month as well as take part in post activities and social activities with their families included.

But most importantly, they will receive a monthly magazine from that organization that will inform them. There is also a service officer in the post who will be able to inform them about veterans issues and help them with any problems they may have.

The advantages of being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are:

* The expert help of state and national VFW service officers, as well as the service officer in your own post, is available should you need hospital care, educational, pension or other benefits that you may wish to file a claim for.

* VFW help in protecting existing veteran benefits that you now receive, or that you may be entitled to in the future, through the effort of the VFW national legislative service in Washington D.C. and your own VFW state legislative committee.

* An opportunity to take an active part in your VFW post's patriotic, community service and youth activity programs.

* An opportunity to become an officer of your post; thereby developing your talents as a competent public speaker and respected civic leader in your community.

* Satisfaction in knowing that you are supporting an organization that fights for maximum defense and security of our country.

* Receiving the VFW magazine and state VFW newspaper each month which keeps you informed on all matters pertaining to your status as a veteran and those subjects that are close to your heart as a patriotic American.

* The feeling of true comradeship that exists only among veterans who served overseas in time of war.

* Social functions at the Post. Activities for yourself as well as other members of your family.

* Personal benefits included in the member benefit handbook.

* By being a member of the VFW, you are preserving the memory and the voice of those veterans who died for freedom.

For more information about the VFW Adolph Block Post 1305 of Mineola, you can write to the post at P.O. Box 294, Mineola, New York 11501.

(This column about veterans and veteran issues will appear from time to time in this newspaper. This column was submitted by VFW Private Adolph Block Post 1305 Commander Manny Grilo.)