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VA agencies will hold outreach events in rural communities over the next several months

By Cheril Lee

Omaha, NE – Veterans Affairs of Nebraska-Western Iowa will host a series of outreach events for veterans residing in rural communities.

The first event takes place in Weeping Water at the Cass County Fairgrounds on March 4th and 5th. Will Ackerman, spokesman for VA Nebraska-Western Iowa, says the VA started holding these outreach events about a year ago. He says the goal is to reach out to veterans who live in rural communities and offer them information about VA benefits. Ackerman says VA representatives are also there to answer veterans' questions. He says, "some of our veterans say they don't think they are eligible for VA benefits. They came back from the war, from service, with all their limbs and faculties and they think the benefits should be for those who maybe lost a limb or have mental illness. And, you know what? They served for us and so this is important. They have earned the benefits. They need to apply for them."

Ackerman says the VA will hold additional outreach events in Audubon, Iowa on March 25th and 26th and in Dakota City, Nebraska on April 8th and 9th.