11/4/1981 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fr NOV 4 1981 BOOK 48 PA G veteran population, and the state is now gaining an estimated 5,000 new veterans and other eligibles every month. Mr. Cook stated that they have been successful with 8.9.50 of their appeals to the Veterans Administration; the national average is 22%. They are proud of this record and would like to be able to maintain it. Mr. Cook then listed in detail the various activities he would have to curtail in the event a third man is not approved. These included such things as writing in the DAV Newsletter; writing the Veteran's Corner for the Press Journal; giving talks for fraternal groups and broadcasting once a month; acting as guardian, fiduciary agent, custodian, etc., for various veterans or widows of veterans, who are unable to manage their own affairs; free preparation of income tax returns for veterans financially unable to have this done for them; inter -county travel for veterans unable to come to his office; and, in addition, Mr. Cook stated he would have to close the office to the public on Fridays in order to work on the backlog of claims. Without the additional help, Mr. Cook stated that he only would be able to render the basic services listed in the manual, and he did not want to terminate any of what he considered needed assistance. Commissioner Scurlock questioned services rendered by Mr. Cook for veterans outside of Indian River County and also the free preparation of federal income tax returns. Mr. Cook stated that he tries to render service to the veterans the same way he would wish his own family to be taken care of. In regard to helping veterans from other counties, he explained that there are veterans who do not want to discuss their disabilities with a female service officer in Fort Pierce, and he helps any veteran who comes to his office no matter where they come from. Albert Dilallian, the person who had raised the objections to having the third member added to the Veterans 2