Veterans come for face-to-face help

Aug. 16--Kelly Gilbert is searching for answers.

He served in the Navy in the 1970s, but now he's having trouble getting benefits from the federal government, and talking to people over the phone isn't helping.

"They say, 'I'll switch you over here, I'll switch you over there,'" Gilbert said,

That's what drew him to the Veterans' Solutions Seminar organized by U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows' office Thursday at the Caldwell County Health Department, where he spoke with experts in person to try to solve his problems.

"I just want to check on my benefits," Gilbert said.

He, like other veterans in attendance, spoke with officials representing a number of agencies to try to resolve any issues they're having. Gilbert came to the event last year with questions, and it drew him back again this year.

This is the sixth year Meadows has held the event, which helps connect veterans to officials face to face.

Veterans met one-on-one with coaches who went through their paperwork, checked their status and advised them of their options. If that wasn't enough, coaches pointed them to the exact resources they need.

That's where veteran David Farris started -- with a coach. In a windowed room on the third floor of the Caldwell County Health Department building, he met with an assistant supervisor with the Veterans Benefits Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to get information on his health benefits options. From there, he waited with other veterans to speak with representatives with

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Meadows' office who would give them direct access to Veterans Administration resources.

A representative from the office said the event is a way to make benefits more accessible and give veterans people to talk to in person.

Reporter Virginia Annable can be reached at 828-610-8724.

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