Two local veteran organizations volunteered their time this past weekend to ensure that local veterans were getting the benefits they are entitled to and deserve.

American Legion Post 67 and the local chapter of Vet to Vet were stationed at the Valley Community Center to advise veterans on the benefits they are entitled to.

Several of the veterans who showed up had no previous involvement with the VA, according to Post 67 Commander Lanny Bledsoe. Bledsoe and others helped get that process started on Saturday, telling many veterans about the paperwork required to receive any benefits.

“Then they will be OK,” said Sam Cofield of Vet to Vet. “The way I look at it, if we can get just one veteran’s health care set up it’s worth it to be here today.”

Any veteran will tell you that the process for receiving VA assistance is a long one, and often takes quite a while. Although that process has improved, it’s still not ideal, and takes time. The first step is to have paperwork filled out, but you also have to know where to apply and what happens next.

Our local veterans gave many years serving our country and are responsible for the freedoms we enjoy today as American citizens. They deserve the VA benefits they qualify for.

We appreciate the local American Legion post Vet to Vet taking time on Saturday to help local veterans.