COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A wide variety of benefits for United States military veterans are available, but many active and retired vets in Branch County and across the U.S. are unaware of the scope of funds and programs that exist for veterans, spouses, and family members.
Branch County Veterans Affairs counselor Charles Scott addressed the Coldwater Early Bird Exchange Club this week and asked the group’s members to help spread the word about the many services available through the VA office in the county. Scott’s primary job is assisting active veterans as well as those who have been out of the service for many years, in filing injury compensation claims.
Scott spoke of a female solider who was assaulted while in the military but she never reported it. What was really ironic, according to Scott, was that she brought in her medical records from when she was in the military and when Scott reviewed the file, he found that she had actually reported the assault. The woman said she didn’t remember doing that and told him she hadn’t looked at her records for years and Scott told the Exchange Club members that’s because she was trying to forget the incident.
When she was released from the military, they said she suffered from a personality disorder. He said it wasn’t that at all but rather, she had issues mentally, from being assaulted. Scott said her life has been chaotic since leaving the military and he can understand why.
Scott’s office is located in the County Health Department building north of Coldwater on Marshall Road.
The Early Bird Exchange Club will be discussing with Scott how they could help local veterans by providing assistance such as transportation to doctor’s appointments or donating food or gift cards to needy vets who might have poverty level incomes, are out of work, or homeless.
