Veterans Affairs
The Susquehanna County Veterans affairs office proudly serves the Veterans of our County and their families.
Anyone with questions about the vast array of benefits available is encouraged to contact the County VA office, and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide assistance. The office is located in the County Courthouse at 31 Lake Ave. Montrose, Pa. and the office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. except for scheduled holidays or required Certified Veterans Services Officer (VSO) training.
Individuals may also find complete information on veteran's federal benefits by visiting the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.va.gov and state benefits at www.dmva.pa.gov/veterans/pages
Veterans in crisis or contemplating suicide may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 option 1 or text at 838255 for help
Finally to all our veterans, “thank you for your service” we look forward to serving you.
Veterans Corner
The Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office writes an article once each month that is published in the “Weekender”. These articles called “Veterans Corner” provide information related to veteran’s issues and benefits. The articles are published once per month and can be found in one of the editions of the weekender which is distributed each Friday of the month. The weekender has a wide distribution in Susquehanna County. For your convenience we also make the articles available here on the County website.
Anyone with any questions about the benefits available to Veterans and their family members can call the Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs Office at (570) 278-5955.
VETERANS CORNER
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veteran Service Officer
Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions, Surviving Spouse DIC, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Events
Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions:
AL Amyloidosis
Bladder Cancer
Chronic B-cell Leukemias
Chloracne
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Hodgkin's Disease
Hypothyroidism
Ischemic Heart Disease
High blood pressure also called Hypertension
MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance)
Multiple Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Parkinsonism
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Prostate Cancer
Respiratory Cancers including lung cancer
Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma)
All these conditions have a presumed service connection attached to them for service persons exposed to Agent Orange in these locations: Vietnam, waters in Vietnam-Brown Navy, waters off of Vietnam-Blue Navy, Vietnam Demilitarized Zone in Korea, American Samoa, Cambodia, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Laos and Thailand.
Surviving Spouses of any Veteran that has a presumed service-connected condition are eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors. The deceased veteran did not have to have his condition service-connected by the VA prior to passing for the survivor to be eligible. For example, the surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran that never received any service-connected compensation from the VA for Bladder Cancer (a presumptive condition for Agent Orange exposure), who dies of Bladder Cancer and has this listed on the death certificate as a cause of death, is eligible for DIC benefits which can be applied for at Susquehanna County Veteran Affairs Office: 570-278-5955.
Upcoming Veteran Events:
Vietnam Veterans Day March 29th-Thank You and Welcome Home all Vietnam Veterans!
Any Vietnam Veteran who has not already received the 50th year Vietnam War commemoration pin can get one at our office.
Citizens are encouraged to fly the US flag in honor of those who served in the Vietnam War to thank the veterans and all those who made sacrifices during one of the longest wars in U.S. history lasting almost 20 years.
Free Breakfast for all Vietnam Veterans on March 29th at Ayres Stone Montrose VFW. Post 5642- Address: 16972 State Route 706 Montrose, PA 18801, from 7:30 am to 10:30 am
Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every first Monday of Month at 5:30 PM. Next meeting is April 1st at 5:30PM.
Vietnam Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every 1st and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM. Next meetings April 1st and 15th at 10:30AM.
Susquehanna Veterans Affairs office is always here to assist Veterans in accessing Veterans Administration and State benefits.
Vietnam Veterans Day and PA VETconnect
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
We commemorate those who fought in the Vietnam War on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29th. There’s no doubt that the Vietnam War was one of the most brutal. In fact, there were over three million Vietnam War casualties during the years of battle. National Vietnam War Veterans Day was created to honor all the Vietnam veterans who fought during its time.
The Vietnam War has a long history. It was one of the longest wars involving America. Starting in 1955, the war went on until 1975. Over 2.7 million Americans served during this war. In 1973 all combat and support units withdrew from Vietnam following the war. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is acknowledged on March 29 every year, honoring anyone who served during its 20-year time. Respect and combat support wasn’t immediately given to those who served after the war ended because of the number of deaths.
U.S. Senators Pat Toomey, R-PA., and Joe Donnelly, D-ID., introduced the legislation proposing the anniversary of the withdrawal of military units from South Vietnam as the date for National Vietnam Veterans Day. It was President Donald Trump who signed the Act on March 29, calling for U.S. flags to be flown on this day to honor everyone who served during this time, whether they were in Vietnam or not. Every year since it was founded in 2017, this national day has continued to be recognized on March 29. (nationaltoday.com)
Thank a Vietnam Veteran!
Speaking as an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, I again want to personally thank every single Vietnam Veteran and welcome you home to a Country that loves you. The soldiers I served with in Iraq received an over-the-top welcome home, which we were all very aware of coming from the guilt the country felt over not properly welcoming home all of the Vietnam Veterans. THANK YOU AND WELCOME HOME FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!
PA VETConnect (dmvapa.service-now.com) is the pathway to a better means of serving Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans. The objectives of PA VetConnect are simple: determine the needs of veterans and their beneficiaries, find resources that meet those needs, and connect veterans with those resources. DMVA (Department of Military and Veterans Affairs) has staff living and working in communities across the commonwealth who are doing just that daily.
Through PA VETConnect, veteran advocates have access to the commonwealth’s premier information and referral database, compiled specifically to improve the lives of service members, veterans, and their families. The free database is populated with valuable information and resources that will help County Directors of Veterans Affairs and other veteran advocates facilitate delivery of the best possible services to veterans, their families, and their beneficiaries. Resource areas include benefits, employment, financial assistance, mental wellness and substance use, post-traumatic stress, and more.
PA VETconnect will connect you directly to the following:
Veterans Crisis Line -- DIAL 988 then PRESS 1
Find a Vet Center (Readjustment Counseling)
Veterans Mental Health Services
County Veterans Affairs Service Officers
Veteran Service Organizations
|Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Find a VA Medical Center in PA
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Most Recent Issue of DMVA Digest
Pennsylvania Veterans Registry
Pennsylvania Veterans
PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
Find a Presenter for Resources Training
Register An Event
DMVA Login
(PA VETconnect)
Upcoming Veteran Events:
WW II Veteran Harold Gary has been named the 2024 Susquehanna County Distinguished Citizen, by the Baden-Powell Council, Boy Scouts of America. Harold Gary served in the U.S. Navy for the duration of WWII as an aviation mechanic, gunner, and flight engineer on anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic on what was known as the PBM Mariner “Flying Ship.” In celebration of his 100th birthday, Harold Gary sponsored a walk to raise $6,000 for the Twin Tiers Honor Flight. In 2019, he participated in the Honor Flight and has become an ardent supporter and currently an honorary board member at the “Ambassador Extraordinaire.” Harold Gary will be presented the Distinguished Citizen Award at a dinner honoring his incredible life and selfless service, at Elk Lake High School on Saturday, Marh 23, 2024, reception at 4:30 PM, banquet at 5:30PM. Tickets, sponsorships and auction donations may be made online at https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/368/event/477 or by contacting Kellie Amlin at 607-648-7888 extension 106. Mail in applications for the event can be picked up at Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office.
Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every, first Monday of Month at 5:30 PM. Next meeting is March 4th at 5:30PM.
Vietnam Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every 1st, and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM. Next meetings March 4th and 18th at 10:30AM.
Susquehanna Veterans Affairs office is always here to assist Veterans in accessing Veterans Administration and State benefits.
Contact Information
Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-5955
Fax: (570) 278-5977
Jeffery Mead, Director / VSO