Veterans introduced to VA opportunities

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • February 20, 2012
  • 330
                        
Summary: Veterans attending the first ever Veterans Benefits Fair in New Philadelphia found information and vital assistance from the VA and other veterans’ groups. Our nation’s veterans deserve to have their country, which they once so faithfully served, in turn take care of them in their time of need. To that effect, representatives from the Veterans Administration were on hand during the first ever Veterans Services Fair, held in Monroe Mall on February 17. “This is the opportunity for our veterans to speak to the VA one on one,” said Debbie Cook, of the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service office, which hosted the event. “Plus, we have other related services here for the veterans, too. We’ve had many people showing up today.” Linus Kilchenman, a Viet Nam veteran, was on hand with the local VFW chapter. “This is something different. It’s pretty neat.” “I served in Vietnam, in the 9th Division, in the Delta, in 68. I was there for 3 ½ months before I was injured. I had a first sergeant who saved me,” commented Bob Mathias of New Philadelphia. “This is the first time I’ve ever looked into receiving any extra help from the VA, in addition to my disability percentage. There are certain things that add up, and we want to find out if some of it is service connected. There are things that we didn’t know about that we found out today.” Mathias’ wife, Cindy, was impressed. “It was very informative, and very helpful. I appreciate the VA having this, because a lot of veterans aren’t aware of the help that is available for them. Today we got to speak to several VA representatives directly.” “I was very hesitant about coming over,” admitted Bob. “But I’m glad. They got on the computer and searched things out for me.Being here today is definitely going to make a difference for us.” Rick Domer is now the transportation coordinator for the Society for Equal Access, and was manning a booth for the SEA. Domer believes strongly in what he does, saying, ”I am a Vietnam era veteran, Army, 1970-1972. It’s paramount that the word gets out that there is transportation for our veterans.” Numerous public and private veterans service and non-profit organizations were on hand, as were staff from Kent State Tuscarawas. Veterans were treated to refreshments courtesy of Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home. A great opportunity for veterans was presented by Mark Faust, Ohio Veterans Homes’ public liaison. The homes, which began after the Civil War, were once known as the Soldiers and Sailors, or ‘Old Soldiers’ homes. The name was changed to the Ohio Veterans Homes in 1983, yet the availability of this important 123 year service to veterans is not well known. “At Sandusky, we have a 427 bed skilled nursing home, and a 293 bed independent living home, so it’s the largest one in the state,” explained Faust. “We have another home at Georgetown, Ohio, with 168 nursing home beds. It’s low cost, and it is for the war time era veterans. We are able to offer care at such a low cost because the VA pays approximately a third of it, Ohio taxpayers pay a percent, and the veteran pays about 30%, based on his or her ability to pay. No one is turned away if space is available and they are eligible. They can live there and get all the care they deserve.” “It is a state of the art, lovely facility, and our independent living residents have complete autonomy. We have 24 hour nursing care there available, including provision of all their medications. It is a safe, secure environment, just a few miles from Lake Erie. We have fishing, camping, bicycling, and garden clubs, and our own greenhouse, barber shop, gift shop, craft centers, and recreational centers on campus.” “Surprisingly, we actually have open beds in the independent living facility. We are here to get the word out,” Faust emphasized. “This is a tremendous benefit for Ohio’s veterans, and they just need to know about us.”


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