The Oklahoman got it right! This article is a great look at the unfortunate state of how much people are missing out. The article stated that an estimated $22 billion goes unclaimed each year. Unfortunately the only reason being because people don't know it's out there. Luckily, some veterans have been able to use the money that is available--like Tom Bowen, pictured above. Without his Veteran's pension, he probably wouldn't be able to live at his current assisted living center.

Recipe of the Week

Veggie Tortilla Pinwheels

These pinwheels are great for get togethers, especially since one batch makes about five dozen! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
• 5 green onions, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1/4 c. chopped sweet red pepper
• 2 to 3 tbsp. real bacon bits
• 8 flour tortillas (10 inches)
• 2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
• 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies, drained
• 1 can (3.8 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained

Preparation:
• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and dressing mix until blended. Beat in the onions, green chilies, olives, celery, red pepper and bacon.
• Spread over tortillas. Roll up. Cut each into one inch slices. Refrigerate leftovers.

Courtesy of Simple and Delicious

Are you eligible?

Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension. This benefit may not be paid without eligibility to pension. A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:

• The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment
  
• The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment
  
• The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity
  
• The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

This information is courtesy of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Easy Chocolate Clusters

These clusters are wonderful! They do take a bit of time to make, but it's worth it. The recipe makes about 42 clusters.

Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. white candy coating, broken into small pieces
• 2 c. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 pkg. (4 oz.) German sweet chocolate
• 1 jar (24 oz.) dry roasted peanuts

Preparation:
• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the candy coating, chocolate chips and German chocolate. Cover and cook on high for one hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook one hour longer or until melted, stirring every 15 minutes.
• Add peanuts, mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until set. Store at room temperature.

Courtesy of Simple and Delicious

Recipe of the Week

Penne Pasta Salad

This pasta serves 8 people, and it only takes about 20 minutes to put together. Then just put it in the fridge to chill! Perfect!

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (16 oz.) penne pasta
• 1 c. quartered cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 c. chopped green pepper
• 1/4 c. chopped green onions
• 1 bottle (8 oz.) Italian salad dressing
• 1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp. each dill weed, garlic salt
and lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1 can (2 1/4 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained

Preparation:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large serving bowl, combine the tomatoes, green pepper, onions and olives. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; add to the veggies.
• Combine salad dressing and seasonings; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Courtesy of Simple and Delicious

Recipe of the Week

Chicken Salad

Katherine made these one day for a meeting, and they were delicious! I had to let everyone know about them! :) Thanks Katherine.

Ingredients:

• 1 rotisserie chicken, skinned and pulled apart
• 2 tbsp. dried onion
• 1/2 onion, diced and minced
• 3 tbsp. tarragon leaves
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup Hellman's mayo
• 1 tbsp. dried parsley

Preparation:

• Mix all of the above ingredients together, except for a 1/4 cup almonds. The mixture need to be very moist. Then put in the refrigerator.
• The next day put in the rest of the almonds, and they are ready to go! Serve on croissants.

Courtesy of Katherine Kennedy