Veterans speak to representatives from various organizations about the benefits available to them in what is known as the first VA Town Hall event in this part of the state.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
FAYETTE — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other veterans’ organizations held a town hall meeting in the Fayette Civic Center on Friday, June 14.
The Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center put on the event to help veterans seek answers to their questions regarding benefits and other issues.
Representatives from the VA, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and many more were available on Friday morning to answer questions veterans had about what benefits were available to them through various programs and organizations.
Multiple veteran’s organizations had tables set up in the lobby with information, and representatives from the VA spoke in the auditorium about various subjects relating to VA benefits and general health and wellness.
Veterans in attendance were given numbers, which were called out so they could go talk individually with representatives who could help address their needs more specifically.
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs service officer for Marion and Franklin counties, Marlon Holloway, was in attendance, along with his Fayette, Pickens and Lamar counties counterpart Christopher Phillips.
“This is the first real rural town hall in Northwest Alabama, as far as we know,” Holloway said after the townhall meeting. “There’s so much information here.”
Holloway stressed the importance of having information about benefits and said that help is available locally all the time, and not just at big events such as this one.
“VA.gov is a wonderful site. There’s a lot of things on there,” he said. “You’ve got folks down here doing forms for you today, but at the end of the day, you have a county rep. That’s what we’re here for. Your tax dollars pay for us to do that.
“I’m in the courthouse in Franklin County and Marion County, Chris is over here at the annex, in Lamar County and in Pickens County.
“I’m not saying anything bad about the VA, but those forms can be very complicated, and if you check the wrong box, there are graders out there who will find one mistake and off the letter goes. It can be very frustrating, so we work very hard to make sure every box is checked, and every question is answered. We put in a N/A in there, just so there’s an answer.
“But that’s what we do, so you can come see us. The Veterans Service Office is one of the only government agencies, state or federal, where you just walk right into their office and see somebody right then. We’re here to help you, and these folks (from the VA) can provide so much healthcare.”
State District 17 Representative Tracy Estes sang the national anthem after the posting of colors and Fayette Mayor Rod Northam welcomed everyone to begin the meeting.
Presentations included a Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center briefing from John Merkle, information from the VBA Regional Office from Robert Shostak, Healthcare Enrollment Initiative information from Kathy Davis, a Care in the Community Overview from Tamie Patton-Willis, Suicide Prevention 101 from LaWanda Vanttorn-Rosell, a briefing on Whole Health and Wellness Works from LaShaunda Lark-Darien, information on Specialty Care Services from Shakonda Wells and a SMVF Community in Action discussion…
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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