We all read about the 130,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq. But there are a total of 1.4 million soldiers on active duty around the world and another 1.2 million in the Guard and Reserves. Plus you have to count the 26 million civilian veterans http://www.va.gov/vetdata/Census2000/index.htm. And if you count families, some estimate that over 70 million people are eligible for Veterans benefits. That’s about 25% of our population.

So if you aren’t personally eligible for a grant, low interest loan, or free service as a veteran or a member of a veteran’s family, you probably know someone who is. Even with the talk about cuts in Veteran’s benefits there is a lot to be had directly from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov.

You should also be aware of all the FREE MONEY and help for veterans and the families from non-profit organizations. That’s where we come in. Listed below are organizations that offer grants just because you are active military, a veteran or a family member. And if you do not fit into one of these groups be sure to forward this newsletter to someone who does.

Free Money For Living Expenses
The Army Relief Fund is a non-profit assisting widows and orphans of military operations in expenses such as goods, rent or utilities, emergency transportation and vehicle repair, funeral expenses, medical/dental expenses, and personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen. Also provides undergraduate-level education scholarships, based primarily on financial need, to children of soldiers. Will meet your financial needs; no monetary limit for assistance. Contact:
           Army Emergency Relief
           200 Stovall Street
           Alexandria, VA 22332
           703-428-0000
           http://www.aerhq.org
           assistance@aerhq.org

Grants For Living Expenses, Medical Care, Dental Care and Education
The Air Force Aid Society provides loans and grants for basic living expenses, medical care, dental care, funeral expenses, assistance with other emergencies, vehicle repairs, pay/allotment problems, disasters, assistance to surviving dependents, as well as financial assistance for special circumstances. All cases are decided on an individual basis. For the location nearest you, contact:
           The Air Force Aid Society, Inc
           Suite 202
           1745 Jefferson Davis Highway
           Arlington, VA 22202
           800-769-8951
           703-607-3073
           http://www.afas.org/body_locations2.cfm

Grants For Living Expenses and Past Due Bills
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance provides assistance to surviving members of soldier’ s families who served in Coast Guard. Financial help can include payment for: emergency travel, temporary living expenses, funeral expenses, emergency home repair, loss of funds or property, natural disaster relief, vehicle repair, moving expenses, housing rental assistance, housing purchase assistance, medical and dental expenses, past due bills and expenses and debt management. To find your local Representative contact:
           CGMA Headquarters,
           1-800-881-2462
           tomri@ballston.uscg.mil
           http://www.cgmahq.org/

Grants for Living Expenses and Educational Programs
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a private, non-profit dedicated to ensuring that former service members and their families will attain financial self-sufficiency. It does this by providing interest-free loans and grants for emergencies and need-based scholarships and interest-free loans for educational programs. Other services include food lockers, thrift shops, infant services, and counseling services. To find the nearest Society location in your area, go to:
           Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
           4015 Wilson Boulevard
           10th Floor
           Arlington VA 22203-1977
           703-696-4904
           http://www.nmcrs.org/locations.html

Over $3 Million A Year In Grants
The Red Cross works with the different military aid societies listed above to provide assistance to families of those who fought in military operations. Financial assistance includes money for emergency travel requiring the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.). Here is a direct quote from their website: “In 2001, the American Red Cross, in partnership with the military aid societies, provided $3,252,496.80 in emergency financial aid to 3,786 service members, their families, retired military personnel and widows of retired military personnel. Contact the Red Cross Military Families and Services Emergency Assistance representative nearest you at:
           American Red Cross National Headquarters
           2025 E Street, NW
           Washington, DC 20006
           800-797-8022
           fax: 202-303-0044
           info@usa.redcross.org
           http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html

Free Mortgage Money, Living Expenses and Scholarships
The American Legion is an organization dedicated to supporting members of the military service and their families. Volunteers are available to shop for groceries, baby-sit, mow the lawn, fix motor vehicles and other household chores. Grants are available for shelter, food , clothing, medical and dental care, etc.
           American Legion
           1-800-504-4098.
           familysupport@legion.org
           http://www.legion.org/activeduty/index.php?content=ad_financialassist

Children of those soldiers killed fighting in Iraq are eligible for an educational scholarship. Contact:
           The American Legacy Scholarship Fund
           PO Box 1055
           Indianapolis, Indiana 46206.

Free Grief Counseling
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS ) is a national non-profit organization assisting all those survivors who have lost a family member in the armed forces. Services include grief counseling, crisis information as well as . Services are provided free of charge 24 hours a day. Contact:
           Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (Taps)
           National Headquarters
           2001 S Street, NW Suite 300
           Washington, DC 20009
           1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
           www.taps.org
           info@taps.org

$10,000 To Families Of Fallen Heroes
Grants of $10,000 are offered to the families of military who have died since September 11, 2001. Over half left behind a spouse or children and these families must now face their future without a husband or wife or father or mother, and address the questions of finding work, where to live, how to raise their children, how to provide for their education, and even how to get food on the table. Contact:
           Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
           Pier 86 12th Ave. & 46th
           Street New York, N.Y. 10036
           212.245.0072
           http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/foundation_heroesfund.html

Join Us Live In Baltimore On February 28……
… .. for 3 hours of grant talking. I guarantee that I will personally answer any question you have about grants. Save your seat now at www.howtogetagrant/grseminar1.

Plan a Retirement Full of Fun and Free Money…
… . I’ll show you 1,000 government programs that will do that at www.howtogetagrant.com/retire1.