As Veteran’s Day approaches, Americans prepare to take time and honor those who have served; but for many of them, problems they developed while in combat or otherwise on duty for their country may linger into civilian life.
Each county has its own Veterans Affairs commission and director, available to help those who have served obtain benefits they may need; health issues are especially important, as some vets still have injuries left over from their time in uniform while others are beginning to show signs of age.
Mike Kuhn from Marion County Veterans Affairs tells KNIA/KRLS News while his office is available to help veterans with the bureaucratic obstacles they have to deal with, the VA offices in Des Moines provide mobile help to those in need of other types of assistance…ranging from traumatic brain injuries, to post-traumatic stress disorder.
“And they reach out to veterans, they have a mobile unit that goes around; and they also do a lot of counseling, and helping the veterans deal with their situation,” Kuhn says. “How it affects the family, how it affects their dependents, how it affects them; how they can all even get together as a family group and see how best working with the veteran will help that out.”
Kuhn’s office remains open year-round for Marion County veterans and their families, and can help guide them to get whatever type of help they may need.
You can find out more about the work of the Veterans Affairs Commission on today’s edition of Let’s Talk Knoxville.