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Veterans: Get Your Free Federal Parks and Recreational Lands Pass

4/27/2022

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Regular Annual Parks Pass cost $80
Cost for Vets: $10 ($5 processing/$5 delivery)

Get it here: https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass

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Big List of Year-Round Discounts for Vets and Active-Duty Mil

12/16/2021

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The VA has a good summary listing of year-round discounts available to vets and active-duty folks.

https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85765/veteran-discounts-available-year-round/?utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources

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Cool:  Apple offers year-round 10% off Apple products for Vets/Active-Duty + immediate family members

7/16/2021

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Cool -- Guide to Finding All Veterans Benefits in Every State

11/13/2019

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Graphic of website search engine for veterans benefits
Click on the photo above to be taken to a cool search engine that compiles state-specific and federal benefits in one place for any state.  Here's today's printout for Oregon (subject to updates of course):


  • "I Am Not Invisible Exhibit"Oregon | Commemoration/Acknowledgement
    N/A or not disclosed
    Female
  • Anti-Discrimination Law (Military Status and Spouses of Deploying Veterans)Oregon | Anti-Discrimination Law/Policy (Vet Status)
    N/A or not disclosed
    State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty, Dependents
  • College Credit for Military TrainingOregon | Educational Credit/Diploma
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans, State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty
  • Direct Professional Licensing for Military ExperienceOregon | License/Certification
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans, State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty
  • Employment ProtectionOregon | (Re-)Employment Protection
    N/A or not disclosed
    State National Guard/Reserve
  • Federal Pension Income Tax Subtraction for Military RetireesOregon | Income Tax
    N/A or not disclosed
    Retired
  • Free Camping at State Parks for Disabled Veterans and Active DutyOregon | Park/Camping/Lodging Admissions
    No fee
    Disabled (Service-Connected), State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty
  • Free Fishing and Hunting Licenses for Disabled War VeteransOregon | Fishing/Hunting License
    No fee
    Disabled (Service-Connected), Served in Combat
  • Free Parking at State Parks for Disabled Veterans and Active DutyOregon | Toll/Travel Fare/Parking Discount
    No fee
    Disabled (Service-Connected), State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty
  • In-State Tuition for VeteransOregon | Tuition-Rate
    Discount Equivalent to In-State/Resident Rate
    All Veterans, Killed/Died (Service-Connected), Survivors
  • Income Tax Deduction for Active Duty Pay Earned Inside of StateOregon | Income Tax
    Up to $6,000 deduction
    State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty
  • Income Tax Exemption for Active Duty Pay Earned Outside of StateOregon | Income Tax
    No income tax
    Active Duty
  • Military and Veteran License PlatesOregon | Vehicle License Plates
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans, 100% Disabled, Purple Heart, Killed/Died (Service-Connected), Served in Combat
  • ODVA Home Loan ProgramOregon | Loan/Financing
    N/A or not disclosed
    Other than Dishonorable Discharge
  • Oregon DVA Conservatorship ProgramOregon | Guardianship/Custodianship
    N/A or not disclosed
    Indigent/Unable to Care for Self
  • Oregon DVA Conservatorship ProgramOregon | Legal Assistance
    N/A or not disclosed
    Indigent/Unable to Care for Self
  • Oregon Service-Disabled Veteran CertificationOregon | Preferred Status (Business)
    N/A or not disclosed
    Disabled (Service-Connected)
  • Oregon Veterans' Emergency AssistanceOregon | Emergency Relief
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans, Low Income/Homeless vet/Hardship, Dependents
  • Oregon Veterans' HomesOregon | Residential Housing
    N/A or not disclosed
    Honorable Discharge, Dependents
  • Oregon Veterans' HomesOregon | Residential Housing
    N/A or not disclosed
    Honorable Discharge, Dependents
  • Oregon Wounded Warrior Parking PlacardOregon | Toll/Travel Fare/Parking Discount
    No fee
    Disabled (Service-Connected)
  • Property Tax Exemption for Disabled VeteransOregon | Property
    No property tax
    Disabled (Service-Connected), Other than Dishonorable Discharge, Survivors
  • Resident Rate Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Active DutyOregon | Fishing/Hunting License
    Discount Equivalent to In-State/Resident Rate
    Active Duty
  • State Council - Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenOregon | Primary/Secondary School Assistance
    N/A or not disclosed
    State National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty, Dependents
  • State Tuition Assistance for Oregon National GuardOregon | Scholarship/Tuition-Assistance
    100% covered
    State National Guard/Reserve
  • Statewide Apprenticeships (BOLI)Oregon | Training/Apprenticeship
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans
  • Veteran Volunteer ProgramOregon | Benefits Counseling/Determinations
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans
  • Veteran's Day Off for All VeteransOregon | Commemoration/Acknowledgement
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans
  • Veterans Designation on Driver's LicenseOregon | Driver's License/ID - Designation
    N/A or not disclosed
    Other than Dishonorable Discharge
  • Veterans PreferenceOregon | Preferred Status (Employment/Training)
    N/A or not disclosed
    Other than Dishonorable Discharge
  • Voyager Tuition Assistance ProgramOregon | Scholarship/Tuition-Assistance
    To the "Last Dollar," or the difference between what federal aid programs cover and the actual cost of tuition
    State National Guard/Reserve
  • Women Veterans CoordinatorOregon | Claims Assistance/Benefits Advocacy
    N/A or not disclosed
    Female
  • WorkSource Oregon Priority for Veterans and SpousesOregon | Preferred Status (Employment/Training)
    N/A or not disclosed
    All Veterans, Dependents
  • Troops to Teachers Grant Coordination OfficesOregon | Hiring Facilitation
    N/A or not disclosed
    Honorable Discharge, Active Duty

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On active duty?  Or do you know someone on active duty? Share this with them.

8/5/2019

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What is the Military Lending Act and what are my rights?

The Military Lending Act (MLA) is a Federal law that provides special protections for active duty servicemembers like capping interest rates on many loan products.

What are my rights under the MLA?

Answer: The MLA applies to active duty servicemembers (including those on active Guard or active Reserve duty), spouses, and certain dependents. It limits the interest rates that may be charged on many types of consumer loans to no more than 36% and provides other important protections.

(continued) ...

Go to the CFPB website for the full Military Lending Act flyer

Or click below to d
ownload the flyer so you can share it with others.
cfpb_military-lending-act-know-your-rights_handout.pdf
File Size: 126 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Free Audio Books for Eligible Vets from National Library Service

7/1/2019

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The Braille and Talking Book Program
offers Veterans who have difficulty with regular print materials the return of the gift of reading.

The Joy and Freedom of Reading

Whether escaping into a great novel or staying current with popular magazines, the freedom and independence of reading are only a few steps away. This program, from the National Library Service (NLS) and the Library of Congress, provides talking books, audio magazines, and digital talking-book players free of charge.

Any honorably discharged Veteran who is

* blind
* has low vision, or
* a disability preventing the reading of traditional materials is eligible.

Participants choose whether their selected reading materials are delivered by mail, downloaded from the web-based service BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) or through the BARD mobile app for smartphones and tablets.

NLS maintains a vast catalog of titles and publications from the latest best-sellers to timeless classics. Plus, Veterans have preferential status in the lending of materials and equipment.

The Braille and Talking Books Program is accomplished through a nationwide network of libraries to serve citizens and Veterans living inside the U.S. or abroad.  

Applying for this service is easy.

Call the National Library Service at 1-888-NLS-READ
(1-888-657-7323) or
visit them on the web at www.loc.gov/ThatAllMayRead

Veterans served to protect freedom.
Now let National Library Service provide the freedom for all to read.


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Veterans - thinking of buying a house/condo?

2/4/2019

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Because I see clients who are at risk of or already embroiled in a foreclosure, I see a lot more of the dark and ugly side of mortgage borrowing than the average person does.

So I'm not at all convinced that our so-called "American Dream" of home ownership as an aspiration for everyone is a good idea. And I urge anyone thinking about buying property to do your homework very carefully, so that you as well informed and aware of the risks as you already are of the benefits.

That said, if you are a vet and have decided that buying rather than renting is for you, you should definitely know about the home loan option available through ODVA.


The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Home Loan Program had a banner year in 2018, with an outstanding $102,044,184 in new loan origination — a 21 percent increase over the previous year and the program’s highest total in over two decades.


Behind the numbers is the remarkable fact that 362 Oregon veterans and their families were able to achieve their dream of home ownership through the ODVA home loan program in 2018. 

“It’s a great feat, and it’s really a testament to the ODVA team and their hard work,” Home Loans Program Manager Cody Cox said. “It shows their dedication to serving veterans and their home financing needs.”

Oregon is one of only five states that still offers a veteran home loan program. This Oregon benefit is separate and distinct from the federal VA Home Loan Guaranty and has lent approximately $8 billion in low-interest home loans to more than 334,000 veterans since 1945.

“The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs was originally created by the Legislature in 1945 to administer the home loan program, so it is an important part of our agency’s history and identity,” said ODVA director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “We are immensely proud of the work of Home Loans Program Manager Cody Cox and his team, and their service to our veterans.”
Today, Oregon’s veteran home loan portfolio contains just shy of 2,000 units and is valued in excess of $370 million.

Currently, ODVA's home loan program offers eligible veterans fixed-rate financing for:

  • Owner-occupied, single family residence
  • Loans up to the limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency
  • Purchase only (no refinancing is available)
  • Up to four (4) home loan maximum life benefit
For more information about the Oregon Veteran Home Loan Program, visit www.orvethomeloans.com or call toll-free (888)673-8387.

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John Gear Law celebrates 4th Birthday - Thanks to you

9/1/2014

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Today marks John Gear Law Office's fourth birthday.

I am very grateful to all the clients who have trusted me with their problems and given me the opportunity to help them find solutions. Thanks to your trust and confidence, I have been able to meet my primary practice goal: Making a modest living with a "values-based Oregon law practice" -- where "values-based" means I don't represent the folks trying to take advantage of others, my clients are the ones wronged by those who do.

It's not the easiest area of law and it's definitely not the most lucrative, but I think it's the most satisfying. As the Mrs. works towards her M. Div. and ordination as a minister, I am able to have a practice that reflects, rather than conflicts with, the values of a ministry.


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Macy's helps out with "Serving Our Veterans at Home"

7/17/2013

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When you donate $5 or more dollars before August 24th, 2013, you will receive an exclusive shopping pass, which gives you access to 25% off all day including sale and clearance items. You will also be helping a veteran return to a healthy productive life.

Click here to access our verified paypal page.


When donating make sure to enter your email address and write, "Shop for a Cause" in the comments section. We will then email your exclusive shopping pass within 48 hours.


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An opportunity to take the fight to the next level

5/14/2013

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Despite the cool certificate, the admission itself is nothing much -- it's what you can do with it that makes it worth having.
I have a client with a case that really needs to be brought in federal court.  So, despite my strong preference for my walking commute and my distaste for hauling up and down the valley as part of the workday, it's off to federal court I go. 


I appreciate the opportunity that my veteran client has given me to bring a substantial case that I think will right a substantial wrong.  It even makes getting up in time to catch a train at 0642 worth it.  Thank goodness for Amtrak.  

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LAWYERLY FINE PRINT:

John Gear Law Office LLC and Salem Consumer Law.  John Gear Law Office is in Suite 208B of the Security Building in downtown Salem at 161 High St. SE, across from the Elsinore Theater, a half-block south of Marion County Courthouse, just south of State Street. There is abundant, free 3-hour on-street parking throughout downtown Salem, and three multi-story parking ramps that offer free customer parking in downtown Salem too.

Our attorneys are only licensed to practice law in Oregon. This site may be considered advertising under Oregon State Bar rules. There is no legal advice on this site so you should not interpret anything you read here as intended for your particular situation. Besides, we are not representing you and we are not your attorneys unless you have hired us by entering into a representation agreement with me. While we do want you to consider us when you seek an attorney, you should not hire any attorney based on brochures, websites, advertising, or other promotional materials.  All original content on this site is Copyright John Gear, 2010-2022.

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