Veteran’s Service Center Grand Opening Slated

PALESTINE - Partnering with the Veteran’s Administration Clinic, Anderson County’s new Veteran Services Center will host a grand opening on Thursday, March 1.

Located in the Palestine Mall, the center is inviting area residents to come out and tour the facility, meet the staff and local dignitaries, and enjoy complimentary food and refreshments. The goal of the center is to help veterans and their families meet with VA staff in an easy access environment. The center will also provide training, computer access and other useful services designed to assist former service members.

“We are seeking to grow our Community Based Operations Center here in Palestine,” Anderson County Service Officer Vernan Denman said. “It will be an umbrella for veterans’ services and we will work hand-in-glove with the VA Clinic just down the hall. Once a veteran leaves the clinic, they can come right up the mall and file a claim for him or herself and their dependents.”

Denman said the new center will be extending “red carpet treatment” to all veterans’ organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Disabled Veterans of America and the American Legion.

“The center will help the veteran with employment, education, benefits for the family, and actually filing a claim with Department of Veterans Affairs. If the veteran has died, the spouse will be able to come in and file a claim. It is a one-stop shop when it comes to the veteran and his or her family,” Denman said.

He further said many veterans are simply unaware of the resources and benefits that are available.

“We will also provide assistance to the veteran with psychological needs such as post traumatic stress. We have a counselor here that is certified through the VA and can get the veteran all the help they or their family need to help get them back into society,” Denman said. “Any veteran that has put on a uniform, worked in the National Guard or Reserves, if you served in any capacity in the military, guarding the gates of freedom, whether you were in a foreign country or American soil, you qualify to come in and sit down with one of our counselors.

“One of the best tools that we have is to come and see for yourself,” Denman continued. “Tap one of us on the shoulder and we will answer any questions you have. If we can’t answer your question, we will put you with someone that can find the answer. We will be opening the doors at 9 a.m. We will have some activities going on that particular day (March 1). There will be service officers there filling out claims and other literature available. We will take phone numbers and addresses to update our database so when we find out information we can send it out.”

The center will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call 903-723-2100 for an appointment.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at wjohnson@messenger-news.com