Virginia Department of Veterans Services to Host Southwest "Supermarket" of Veterans Benefits

Virginia Department of Veterans Services to Host Southwest "Supermarket" of Veterans Benefits
— Supermarket, promoting "one-stop shopping," is the sixth such regional benefits fair —

Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that the Virginia Department of Veterans Services will host the Commonwealth's sixth "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" on August 24th in Wytheville. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wytheville Community Center, located at 250 South Fourth Street in Wytheville. Veterans in Southwest Virginia are encouraged to attend the event to learn about a wide variety of veterans benefits.

The "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" provides a "one-stop shopping" experience for veterans seeking information about benefits, loans, career and employment opportunities, education, and veterans' service organizations. The state and federal agencies and veterans' service organizations that provide these benefits have been invited to set up exhibits and information tables.

"It is important that Virginia veterans have as many opportunities as possible to learn about the state and federal benefits to which they are entitled," said Governor Warner. "The Veterans Supermarkets are designed to provide increased awareness of veterans benefits for those who have served our country and are in need of services."

"It is the Department's mission to serve Virginia veterans by helping them access a wide range of benefits to which they are entitled," said Jon A. Mangis, Commissioner of Veterans Services.

The Department of Veterans Services will hold one additional Supermarket in 2005; on October 20 in Warsaw.

The Department of Veterans Services was created as a result of reform legislation proposed by Governor Warner and enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support by the 2003 General Assembly. On July 1, 2003, veteran benefits, cemetery, and care center functions were consolidated into a single agency to enhance the delivery of veterans services. The State Approving Agency for Veterans Education became a part of the Department of Veterans Services on January 1, 2004.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Aug05/0809.htm