4 The Hampton Roads Messenger Editorial


How to Show Veterans We Value Them


healthcare


Veterans deserve better than


members of


Congress. Although members of Congress are serving their country as well, they serve in a nice cushy office on Capitol Hill. Veterans, on the other hand, perform their service in barracks, on battlefields and in trenches. Some serve during wars while others serve during peaceful times without knowing when a war may begin.


According to the Bureau of BY ANGELA JONES


Veterans Day is an annual holiday in the United States on November 11. On that day, people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, are celebrated. In 2014, 21.2 million men and women, or 9 percent of the civilian noninsti- tutional population age 18 and over, were veterans, according to the U.S Department of Labor.


To me, the celebration Veteran’s Day is a celebration


of of


freedom. Whenever I hear the word veteran, I think of the selfless people who committed to serve our country so that those of us who are less heroic can go about our everyday lives without the inconvenience of having to serve. Who could not feel gratitude towards someone who agreed to put themselves in harm’s way so that others will be safe.


Sometimes the most ignorant voices are the loudest voices; they making the voices of reason, more difficult to hear. For that reason, many of our veterans do not realize how eternally grateful most U.S. citizens are for their service to this country. Since that is the case, we have to go the extra mile to ensure that veterans know their value and are compensated as someone of great value would be compensated.


Labor Statistics 29 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans and 18 percent of all veterans reported having a ser- vice-connected disability in August 2014. These selfless heroes deserve to have their basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter given to them if they cannot afford them. Without regard to the internal or external scars that may remain as a result of their service, a veteran should have his or her basic needs met. There need not be any forms to fill out or any questions to answer. The only thing that should matter is that they served this country and they need help.


When one answers the call to


sacrifice their life for others, there is no greater sacrifice, We, as a country, need to recognize


that. Those


politicians who do not recognize the importance of treating our veterans with the utmost reverence and respect should not be in office. As a citizen, if we are not willing to serve in the armed forces, the least that we can do is uplift those who make the ultimate sacrifice. A country without veterans is not a country at all.


Please send letters to veterans and active duty military that you would like us to published to editor@ hamptonroadsmessenger.com or mail them to PO Box 10414 Norfolk, VA 23513. These letters can be addressed to service members in general or to a specific service member you would like to acknowledge. We want to let men and women who serve in the military know that we appreciate them 365 days of every year.


Volume 10 Number 3 Minimize Fees FROM PAGE 1


Consider other ways to keep ATM fees down. If you anticipate needing cash for multiple reasons, withdrawing more money at one time (such as $100 or $200 instead of $20 or $40) can mean fewer trips to the ATM and savings on transaction fees. Using your debit card to get "cash back" from a merchant at checkout (such as a grocery store) for no fee is another option. While the amounts may seem small, reducing or eliminating ATM fees can result in significant savings over time.


Guard against overdrafts, which


can be costly. Overdrafts can occur if you withdraw more money than you have available in your account or if the new balance in your account won't be enough to cover a future, pre-arranged withdrawal, such as a payment for a recurring utility


bill. You can avoid


overdrafts by keeping an up-to-date record of your account balance and the scheduled transactions to come. "Something as simple as a paper-based log or an app on a smartphone can help," said Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC's Outreach and Program Development Section.


Also note that under federal rules,


if you "opt in" to an overdraft program, the bank can charge you a fee to process an ATM or everyday debit card transaction that exceeds your account balance. For more about those rules and changes that may be coming, go to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's website. Also see consumer tips on avoiding overdraft fees at the ATM and the cash register in the FDIC brochure Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Overdraft Fees.


See if your bank's ATMs have new features that can be helpful to you. For example, some institutions allow consumers to use an app on their smartphone to withdraw cash at an ATM without using an ATM/debit card. Some banks enable customers who have questions to speak with a teller through an ATM. You also may be able to have an ATM receipt e-mailed to you instead of getting a paper copy.


Keep personal safety ATM manufacturers in mind. and owners,


including financial institutions, go to great lengths to prevent robberies and fraud at cash dispensing machine. But even so, you need to be careful. Be


aware particularly


of your surroundings, if there is anything


suspicious, such as a broken light or someone loitering nearby. Have your card in your hand as you approach the ATM. And, if you withdraw cash, put it away promptly. The time for counting your money can come later in private.


Established 2006 Angela Jones, Publisher Chris Parks, Editor


Rae Willis, Graphic Designer Ida Davis, Contributing Writer


PO Box 10414 ● Norfolk, VA 23513


Sales and Information 757-575-1863 info@hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Copyright pertaining to contents of this edition. All rights reserved.


Ethanol Pumps FROM PAGE 1


and federal award on behalf of the two states


of Virginia Clean Cities with the


Madison University. Partners in the program include two U.S. Department of Energy designated Clean Cities Coalitions in both states, as well as agricultural and energy offices of each state. Other project partners include state grain associations and agricultural partners, as well as the significant contributions from private


assistance at James


sector infrastructure partners such as Sheetz and Protec Fuel.


on progress in Virginia for a new consumer choice for a renewable fuel that can be used in hundreds of thousands of flex fuel vehicles on the roads locally, and new access to low blends safe in any 2000 or newer vehicle model,” said Alleyn Harned, Executive Director of Virginia Clean Cities.


“This incredible project builds Walk away if you notice


something suspicious at the machine. The FBI recommends inspecting the ATM for anything that looks unusual, such as scratches or tape near where your card would go. Those could indicate fraudulent recording devices have been attached to the ATM for "skimming" or gathering information from the magnetic strip on the back of the card. For similar purposes, fraudsters also use transparent overlays on ATM keypads that can record keystrokes and tiny cameras that are focused on where ATM users enter their personal identification numbers (PINs).


Take precautions with your ATM


cards. Know where your current cards are and keep them safe. "Also make sure to destroy old or expired ATM cards. If your debit or ATM card falls into the wrong hands, someone could try to create a counterfeit or use the information on the card to fraudulently order a new one from your bank," said Michael Benardo, Manager of the FDIC's Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section. "Be sure to cut through the


account number and magnetic


strip before throwing the pieces in the trash."


Also keep in mind that banks are increasingly replacing credit and debit/ATM cards with new cards with computer chips that can better protect against fraud. Learn more about chip cards here.


Protect your PINs. Memorize


your PIN and never write it on your ATM card or on a piece of paper in your wallet. Don't share your PIN with anyone who isn't a co-owner of the account. And, when you enter your PIN, block the keypad with your other hand.


Immediately report a lost or stolen card or anything else that could be a warning sign of a problem. "Promptly notify your bank if you misplace your card or if you spot an unauthorized ATM or debit card transaction on your account," Benardo recommended. "The faster you report a problem, the greater your federal protections are" under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.


Benardo also said to never respond


to unsolicited requests for your bank account number and the PIN for your debit/ATM card. And, be sure to report anything dangerous or suspicious you see at an ATM to the police or the bank that owns the machine.


consider


As you can see, there's a lot to about


choosing and using


ATMs. You may also want to ask a customer service representative at your bank for other practical suggestions.


November 2015


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16