MOWW SCRIPTURE AND COMMENTARY  Sept 2012, Chaplain Ernie Dean Our Faith As We Age You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts. Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God. Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come. (Psalm 71:17-19) I was voluntarily providing transportation for a doctor's appointment, representing West Austin Care Givers. As is customary, I called the client a few days before the appointment to confirm arrangements. She had a beautiful, clear and strong voice, and was precise in every detail about the arrangements. I knew she was blind as this information was on the notification sheet. There was plenty more for me to learn, however. We made it to the appointment and back to her apartment in a timely manner, but there was so much to impress me about this lady. First, she was completely comfortable speaking of her faith and trust in God. She was a church-going person, had been all of her life. It was fun remembering old hymns and bible stories together. Second, she was dealing with significant physical limitations in addition to the blindness. Her appointment was preliminary to carotid artery surgery.  She is diabetic. Further, she had had a fall and one ankle was damaged, so could not maneuver easily. And last, but certainly not least, in her trials, she lives alone.

.  Her husband moved out and they are to be divorced in the near future. There is no bitterness expressed in her appearance or her words. There is more, but the real issue is her faithfulness, her sweet countenance, her positive demeanor, her grace blossoming even in the face of adversity. What a beautiful example of "keeping on keeping on!" The Psalmist speaks of proclaiming God's power and might (v.18). My dear new friend does just that. We can choose to be negative or positive. She has chosen the high road and is a sparkling example of trust in God and in others. The DoD sponsored Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program is designed to help retirees purchase hearing aids through an Audiology Clinic at a special government negotiated cost. The hearing aids available through this program are the same state-of-the art technologies available to active duty service members. The program is open to all military retirees who have hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Dependents of military retirees are not eligible for this program. Retirees can buy hearing aids at a significant savings by using the program. For example, a set of hearing aids (one of the best available) that retails for about $5,000 costs a retiree as little as $755 or about 15% of the retail costs. contact the VA directly a 1-877-222-8387 or 1-800-827-1000 COLA. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) dipped another 0.2% in July. As of now, inflation is only up 1.0% for the year.

The VA will provide a burial flag, a government marker, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, regardless of where the veteran is buried. If burial is to take place in a national or state veterans’ cemetery, the cemetery will make the arrangements for the interment only. Neither the cemetery nor the VA makes funeral arrangements or performs cremations. It is the responsibility of the veteran’s family to make arrangements for funeral services with a funeral home, including memorial services, viewings, preparing and transporting the remains, the casket, etc.

Australian mining companies are head-hunting U.S. war veterans to work Down Under as electricians, carpenters and heavy equipment operators. Australian exports of minerals such as gold, iron ore, oil, gas and coal have more than tripled in the past decade to $190.5 billion last year, with China accounting for a third of the total, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Additionally, dozens of new mines are planned but, with a population of just 22 million, there aren’t enough skilled Australian workers to fill all of the jobs being created.