Report of the Department of Veterans Services
The following is a list of duties and activities that were performed by the Department of Veterans Services for the Western Hampden District during the past year:
- Administer and maintain the M.G.L. Chapter 115 program to all qualified applicants
- Investigate all claims for people applying for this benefit. Dismiss any and all fraudulent claims.
- Represent the Western Hampden District in all appeals of applicants to the Commonwealth.
- Complete and submit claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs for disability compensation, pensions, and death benefits for veterans and spouses from all four towns. This includes the Aid & Attendance pension for people in Assisted Living, which is approximately 50 % of all work in the office.
- Work with Congressman Neal’s office on behalf of these people for all cases that are not decided upon in a reasonable amount of time.
- Work with all Assisted Living facilities in the area to be sure qualified Veterans and their spouses are receiving this pension.
- Maintain an outreach program throughout the District on a regular basis.
- Attend local health fairs to offer federal and state benefits.
- Speak at many local events including the Rotary Club, Heritage Woods, The Atrium, Quail Run, and veterans’ events.
- Investigate fraudulent groups on behalf of the citizens of all four towns. This includes reporting telephone scams and groups speaking in the area that have misled people.
- Worked with the Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Veteran related events. This includes putting up and taking down all flags for Memorial Day.
- Attend funerals for Veterans and their spouses. This can include getting all required documents for proper burial into the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, working with local funeral homes to ensure proper services are rendered, and even duties of pallbearer.
- Maintain the Street of Flags for Agawam. This is funded by private donations and includes approximately 350 flags, poles, and hardware.
- Flag six private cemeteries for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This includes approximately 2000 flags and all grave markers that need to be replaced.
- Create all activities for local Memorial Day Parade.
- Create all activities for local Veterans Day events.
- Maintain a Veterans Council, and establish list of priorities.
- Helped draft legislation to establish a Veterans Housing Project.
- Drafted legislation to increase penalties for inference at a veteran’s funeral.
- Elected President of Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association.
- Established a new Advisory Board to meet with Department of Veterans Services Secretary Thomas Kelley.
- Worked on creating new budgets for the M.G.L. Chapter 115 program, which resulted in no increases to cities and towns in yearly budget amounts.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard J. Girard Jr.
Director of Veterans Services
Western Hampden District