The Veterans’ Widows / Widowers Group is a Las Vegas based Support Group which educates Veterans, Spouses, and dependents of veterans who served in one of the US Military Services. The group also offers a unique widow-to-widow support environment to aid with grief of loss of a veteran spouse.

Veterans’ Widows / Widowers is a Support Group spearheaded by Barbara Rodgick, who uses her personal struggles with Veterans benefits that were earned while serving in uniform. Her husband Bill was a Vietnam Veteran who succumbed to the effects of Agent Orange. Barbara can often be found in many events which educates veterans and their spouses.

Barbara has made it her mission to teach others about the benefits available to veterans, widows and dependents. Barbara has launched a one-woman crusade to inform all concerned about military disabilities. She passed along valuable information to aid navigating the VA Forms and sources of assistance from VSO’s.  The support group called Veterans’ Widows / Widowers which meets monthly at the Wildhorse Country Club in Henderson. There are no dues, but lunch is $20.

Upon request Barbara will make herself available to speak to Interest groups. This pasted September she was the guest speaker during the meeting of the Vietnam Veterans of America Henderson Chapter # 1076. Her message was well received and generated much interest. She challenged everybody there to explore undiscovered benefits which could result in payments of thousands of dollars.

Barbara supplied a handout that supported her presentation

Use Web link below for her Handout

A number of other handouts were available during the lecture, these handouts were from the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans benefits administration. Barbara noted that these documents are periodically revived and the latest version should be downloaded directly from the source. Examples are:

DD 214 Discharge Papers and Separation Documents

A Report of Separation is issued when a service member performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active duty training. The Report of Separation contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment and membership in veterans’ organizations.

Agent Orange exposure and disability compensation

If you have a health condition caused by exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange during your service, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. Compensation provides tax-free monthly payments.

The PACT Act

The PACT Act makes it easier for many survivors to receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).