Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services press release: 

 

Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and the Veterans Service Office (VSO) will be celebrating by opening that day to serve veterans who may be unable to visit the office during regular business hours.

“Many vets may be unaware of all the benefits they’re owed,” said Veterans Service Officer Rená Maveety. “If they have difficulty getting to our office during the week, these Saturday hours could be a good way to get them started on benefits.”

The VSO is a Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services program created to assist the estimated 12,000 local vets with access to federal, state and local resources. Those can include compensation claims, survivors’ benefits, requests for military records as well as medical and education benefits. State and federal laws affecting veterans change frequently, and helping local vets negotiate new rules is a big part of the VSO staff’s job.

Veterans Service Office staff, from left: Steve Roland, Rich Boreggo, Susan Morrison, Zac Demant, Rená Maveety and Lisa Russo.

The VSO works with Humboldt State University’s Veterans Enrollment & Transition Services, College of the Redwoods’ Veterans Resource Center, the Employment Development Department, the Eureka VA Outpatient Clinic and the Redwood Vets Center. Veterans may not be aware that their dependents can qualify for tuition waivers, as well.
The VSO encourages vets to bring in their discharge papers so staff can help them add the Veteran Designation to their California driver’s license. Many businesses honor vets with discounts. “And it’s just good for them to get the recognition,” Maveety added.

The Nov. 11 Veterans Day Saturday hours run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The VSO at 1105 Sixth St. in downtown Eureka. For more information, call the Humboldt County Veterans Service Office at 707-445- 7611.