Veterans give everything they have in the name of service to the country. When military members are released from active duty, they can begin receiving benefits provided through Veteran service organizations. Late in April Baraga County will host a spring veterans fair at the L’Anse VFW 144 post. In November the Baraga County VSO hosted a fair in Baraga, says director Douglas Gray, that saw a steady stream of veterans over four hours. Which he expects will happen again on the 24th.
We also have representatives there from different areas of the Veterans Affairs, as well as local representatives from areas such as the Baraga County Community Foundation, the Baraga County Memorial Hospital, and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. As far as my office, we’re located at 2 South Main Street here in L’Anse. I provide guidance with areas such as pension claims, compensation claims, and applications for health benefits, and we even have an emergency fund dedicated to helping veterans receive food in times of hardship. – Douglas Gray, Director, Baraga County Veterans Service Office
The spring veterans fair will include 14 local organizations that work with veteran benefit programs or with direct service opportunities. Gray adds that some of the information available at the fair can help individuals connected to veterans such as spouses, widowed individuals, and children.
It is my third year, but I’m still always trying to get the information out there because you have veterans scattered throughout the county and surrounding areas. And it’s just getting the information out there and letting the veterans know I’m here, answering their questions, and helping them apply for different benefits. Even if there a veterans out there who applied for benefits in the past and were denied, they should also come to the office or veterans fair. All these benefits are not only for veterans but for their family members. One of them that I have a lot of that widows do not know about or know that if a veteran passes away, they may be passing up on benefits for themselves. – Douglas Gray, Director, Baraga County Veterans Service Office
The Baraga County Spring Veterans Fair will also include a delicious dinner served by veterans of VFW 144 Post. Gray says attendees to the dinner can expect to enjoy some spaghetti while in each other’s company. The resource fair will begin at 3 pm on April 24th, with dinner starting at 5 pm. Anyone with questions or veterans in need of information for VA benefits should contact the Baraga County Veteran Service Office. Learn more about the spring veterans fair in L’Anse here.
