Local veterans have new resource for services

Friday, February 24, 2017
Readjustment Counseling Technician Michael Focke making new dog tags for a local veteran. Replacement dog tags are but one of the services offered by the mobile Vet Centers. Gave Franklin/Daily Mail

gfranklin.nevadadailymail@gmail.com

The large, white RV-style vehicle parked next to the American Legion Wednesday afternoon represents a new, no-cost service available to local veterans, a mobile veteran's center operated by the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

"Vets have a connection with their dog tags," readjustment counseling technician and former marine Michael Focke said as he sat at a machine making a replacement set of dog tags for a local veteran. Replacing a veteran's dog tags is but one of the services offered by the mobile veteran's center.

Focke said the veteran's center started in 1979 to help Vietnam era veterans and their families readjust to life at home after having been in combat. In addition to individual and group counseling for veterans and their families, the centers also provide assistance navigating the myriad of services available to veterans, and an opportunity to socialize with other veterans.

It is not just a professional service the mobile veterans center provides, but also a personal one. Focke said 80 percent of the employees are veterans themselves.

"The veteran's center is supposed to be a storefront place where veterans can come, have a cup of coffee and hang out," Folke said, touching on one of the provided services, socialization and networking. Veterans who use a wheelchair are not left out, as the mobile veterans center is equipped with a wheel chair lift.

The mobile veteran's center will be in Nevada on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The mobile veterans center joins several local resources for veterans including a Veteran's Administration outpatient clinic, a Missouri Veteran's Commission office, a representative of Disabled American Veterans, and the local Veterans of Foreign War's post and American Legion post.

Additionally, a call center is open to veterans and their families to discuss their military experience or for issues with readjusting to civilian life. The call center's telephone number, 877-927-8387, is available 24 hours a day and there is no cost.

Comments
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: