Visit Dan at Cornfest

By: Dan Meyer

The office hours for the Big Stone County Veterans Service Office are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 839-6398.

Well, the Ortonville 72nd Annual Cornfest was held over the past weekend. Stay tuned for the numbers of veterans and their family members who stopped by the VA Benefits Booth and scheduled appointments with my office.

Are there any other events planned for the VA Outreach Benefits Booth? Yes there are!

I’ll have a table with VA benefit information and will be providing U.S. Flag lapel pins for those who attend the VFW Membership Dinner/Membership Drive on 5 October at the Ortonville VFW. In addition, I will also be providing U.S. Flag lapel pins at the Veteran’s Day Dinner scheduled to be held on 11 November at Ortonville VFW.

I was asked by several folks where the funds are coming from for all the items being used at the VA Outreach Events (ie. US Flag lapel pins, business cards, gazebo, table, chairs, banners, bunting, car magnetic CVSO signs, United States/Minnesota State/POW & MIA Flags, the POW/MIA Table ceremonial display items, etc.). There has been a Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Grant Program available for many years. Last year, I applied and was awarded $5,000.00 for my Outreach Program items. I will be applying for grant funds again for next year. The Grant Program allows me limit my budget/expenditures for my Outreach Program using county dollars.

In the “Did you Know?” segment. Did you know that there will be three new presumptive conditions added to the VA’s Registry for those veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service in the Republic of Vietnam?

The three new presumptive conditions are Ischemic Heart Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and B Cell Leukemia’s. If you are Vietnam veteran and served in the Republic of Vietnam, please contact my office immediately. You have proudly served our Country, please let me serve you now!!!!!!

Until next week, take care and “Fair Winds and Following Seas!”