The Month of November Helps to Recognize Our Veterans
Each year, November 11th is designated as Veteran’s Day. This important day is an opportunity for our nation to come together to honor and thank the men and women of the United States Armed Forces for their service to our country. It is also a time to recognize the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made to protect our freedom at home and abroad. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, our state is home to an estimated 1.7 million veterans. Many have chosen Texas as their home due to the support systems available to our veterans on the state and local level. From a state perspective, there are a number of resources available to veterans who reside in Texas, and I would like to highlight several of these programs in this week’s article.
Two primary agencies that we have set in place are the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and the Veterans Land Board (VLB). Established in 1927, the Texas Veterans Commission was originally designated as the official State Service Office. It was created with the intention of acting as the state appointed advocate of the veterans in Texas and assisted veterans of the Indian wars, Spanish-American War and World War I. Today, the TVC works to try and help both current and former members of our military to secure the benefits they have rightfully earned through their service. According to Texas Veterans Commission, there are four program areas in which they can offer assistance:
• Claims Representation and Counseling serves veterans, their dependents and survivors, in all matters pertaining to veterans’ disability benefits and rights. It is the designated agency of the state of Texas to represent the State and its veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• Veterans Employment Services offers employment services to Texas veterans and helps employers find qualified veteran job applicants. The goal of these services is to match veteran job seekers with the best employment opportunities available.
• Veterans Education Program approves all programs for Chapter 30, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607 federal educational benefits. Through an approval process, the Texas Veterans Commission ensures that institutions and employers are in compliance with federal guidelines and are qualified to provide the type of training offered.
• Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance is a program that makes grants available to eligible charitable organizations, local government agencies, and Veterans Service Organizations that provide direct services to Texas veterans and their families.
In addition to the TVC, the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) also provides support for Texas veterans. The VLB was created in 1946 with the mission of administering benefits exclusively available to Texas veterans. The VLB oversees a number of programs that offer support in a variety of areas to veterans, including helping service members obtain low interest loans on land, homes and home improvements as well as long-term care services available through the State Veteran Home program. If you would like to learn more about these programs and the VLB, please visit Veterans Land Board.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
