The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

If You Go

What
Disabled American Veterans’ Mobile Service Office
Why
Provides free counseling on issues relating to veterans benefits and services
Where and when

  • Mankato: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Nichols Office Center, 410 E. Jackson St.;
  • Blue Earth: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Faribault County Office Building, 412 N. Nicollet St.;
  • St. James: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Veterans of Foreign War Post, 4 S. 7th St.;
  • New Ulm: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at New Ulm Chapter 14, 1522 S. Valley St.;
  • Gaylord: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday at the Sibley County Service Center, 111 8th St.

September 17, 2011

Mobile service for veterans hitting area roads

By Tanner Kent Free Press Staff Writer

Keeping up with veterans benefits, and the changes from one year to the next, can be difficult.

But the Disabled American Veterans’ Mobile Service Office is offering free help during its upcoming tour of south-central Minnesota.

“Anyone, with any kind of issue, can come,” said Jon Retzer, a DAV National Service Office supervisor for Minnesota. “People can ask questions about anything and everything.”

The DAV’s mobile office is a fully staffed van that travels the country, making a series of stops in each state to advise veterans on questions about available services, benefits and entitlements.

The van will begin making stops in this area on Monday and visit a different city each day throughout the week.

Retzer said the counseling is offered free of charge with no appointment required. Individuals also do not have to be DAV members.

Retzer said the mobile office staff can answer questions on everything from filing claims for benefits and pension assistance to problems with VA medical centers, to name a few.

“This way, people don’t have to come all the way to Fort Snelling to have their questions answered,” he said.

The DAV’s Mobile Service Office has been supported by $1 million grants from Harley-Davidson in 2006 and 2010.

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