VA outreach scheduled in connection with Wall visit

OMAHA, Nebraska -- A Veterans of the Armed Forces Open House to provide rural-area Veterans information and assistance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services takes place Friday and Saturday at McCook Community College, 1205 E. 3rd Street in McCook.

The open house is in conjunction with the public display of the traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall, which will be at the college's Weiland football field Thursday through Sunday.

The display was to be escorted into town this afternoon and open at noon Thursday, with ceremony at 1 p.m.

Veterans and their family members with questions about benefits are encouraged to visit the open house at the college between 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday or from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The goal is to increase awareness about VA and other benefits and services available to veterans, and to assist with applying for these benefits.

Representatives from the following agencies will be available to provide veterans assistance and information: VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Veterans Benefit Administration Regional Office, Vet Centers and the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs. Community agencies that provide veteran services will also be available.

Veterans who are not currently enrolled for VA benefits are encouraged to bring their DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," to the open house to assist the agency counselors assess individual eligibility for VA benefits. VA counselors will assist veterans to complete eligibility and enrollment applications.

For additional information about the event, contact Will Ackerman at 800-451-5796, ext. 4719 or Tom Stritt, 308-345-2385.