Veterans turned out Sunday to sign up for VA medical benefits and ask questions during a special event at AT&T in Washington, an official said.
“I was satisfied with the way things went,” said Mike Pate, county veterans assistance coordinator.
Pate, a volunteer, was appointed about a year ago to help local veterans with various issues ranging from health benefits to jobs.
Pate worked with AT&T to open up the Washington store after hours Sunday so veterans could ask questions and fill out VA paperwork.
“We’ve got to get these veterans registered,” Pate said, noting that there are about 490,000 veterans in Missouri. “We’re going to get through all this.”
The U.S. Census estimates that there were 8,433 veterans in Franklin County between 2008 and 2012.
With an uncertain future, it is important that veterans sign up for the benefits they are due, Pate said.
“It’s not an entitlement it’s an earned benefit,” Pate added. “We’ve got to take care of these guys.”
As the war winds down, it is important to be “pre-emptive” when it comes to helping veterans find jobs, Pate said.
About 20 veterans were there to see about VA medical benefits Sunday while others had questions about veterans’ homes and cemeteries, he said.
Harold Brinker of Washington was meeting with a VA representative at the event and said he had tried to sign up for VA benefits before but was rejected. Now he is looking into trying again.
Brinker, an Army veteran of Vietnam, said he served his country when he was called and did not go to Canada.
There were also inquiries about replacing lost medals, which is a service the state provides, Pate noted.
A similar event will be held this Saturday at St. Louis Community College at Wildwood between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pate said. That event will be geared toward helping veterans find employment.
Several businesses have been invited to talk to veterans about potential employment, Pate said. Veterans can network with employers over lunch, apply for educational and disability benefits and talk with Missouri House and Senate members, according to a flier.
AT&T has a strong program to hire veterans, Pate said. Indeed, a news release from the company states that it has a commitment to hire 10,000 veterans in five years.
AT&T Missouri President John Sondag was very helpful in getting the event arranged at the Washington store, Pate said.
