By Bill Sparks
The day that we all stop and take a moment to honor those among us that have stepped up and stepped forward to serve in the military forces of our country.
Texas, and El Paso, knows the value of its Veterans. The Texas Veterans Commission was created back in 1927 as the State Service Office, with the mission of assisting Texas Veterans of the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, and the Veterans of World War 1.
Even before they saw the need for a state office, The Hazlewood Act, a unique education benefit to thank Texas Veterans for their service, was created by the legislature to assist World War 1 Veterans, in 1923.
Fast forward to today and we see that Texas, and the El Paso community, continue to provide aid and services to our Veterans. The Texas Veterans Commission provides employment services across the state, aimed at the unique challenges that face returning Veterans. There is education assistance for those that wish to go back to school after their service. Additional services include an entrepreneur program for those that wish to start their own business. There is also a program to assist women Veterans in their endeavors after military service.
Throughout the state, there are healthcare advocates and specialists that can help with applying for benefits and claims with the Veterans Administration.
Many of the workers at The Texas Veterans Commission are Veterans themselves – their only job is to insure our Veterans know that they are not alone, there is help for whatever they need.
The Lone Star State also manages a series of Veterans’ homes across the state for eligible Veterans as well as providing state operated Veteran Cemeteries to supplement the national cemeteries system.
Where else but in Texas would you see a special program to assist Veterans with the purchase of a home or a loan for home renovations or the ability to purchase land at a discount – all through the Texas Land Board.
The County of El Paso has a Veterans’ Service office, dedicated to providing support services to area Veterans. In recent years, the City of El Paso showed their support for local Veterans by standing up an office of Veterans and Military Affairs.
Both the City of El paso and the County of El Paso have created Veterans’ Advisory Committees to provide direct input to the elected leaders on possible changes to public policy to support the Veterans within their respective jurisdictions.
El Paso County is fortunate to have 2 Representatives in Congress – the 16th Congressional District and the 23 Congressional District – both members of Congress have staff dedicated to Veteran Issues at the federal level.
All of this includes the many Veteran Service Organizations in our community – The Veterans of Foreign War, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and many more organizations of Veterans of every era, from Korean War Veterans to Vietnam Veterans, and most recently, Iraq and Afghan Veterans.
So, you can see that Texas has the back of our Veterans across the Lone Star State. All of the elected and appointed leaders across our community stand together with our local Veterans to honor their service – not just one day a year but every day or every year.
When you see a Veteran this Veterans’ Day, shake their hand and say “Thank You for your service, we’ve got your back!
Contact list for Veteran services – use any or all of these as you see necessary.
Texas Veterans Commission – Austin
1-800-252-8387
TVC Employment Services El Paso
3 locations NE – N. Loop – Fort Bliss
915-887-2600
Veterans’ One Stop Claims & Benefits
10737 Gateway West, El Paso #350
915-479-6747
TVC Office at the VA
Room B209-210
915-564-7852
TVC Fort Bliss Office
915-564-7852
TVC Health Care Advocate – El Paso
915-564-6100 x 6282
County Veteran Services Office
915-273-3454
City Veterans & Military Affairs
915-212-1447
Military Veteran Peer Network
915-319-3811
Thank you, Bill, for your tireless efforts in enriching Veterans’ lives. You’re a positive force for El Paso, for Texas and who knows the bounds of your efforts?