Veterans Affairs
The Susquehanna County Veterans affairs office proudly serves the Veterans of our County and their families.
Anyone with questions about the vast array of benefits available is encouraged to contact the County VA office, and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide assistance. The office is located in the County Courthouse at 31 Lake Ave. Montrose, Pa. and the office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. except for scheduled holidays or required Certified Veterans Services Officer (VSO) training.
Individuals may also find complete information on veteran's federal benefits by visiting the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.va.gov and state benefits at www.dmva.pa.gov/veterans/pages
Veterans in crisis or contemplating suicide may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 option 1 or text at 838255 for help
Finally to all our veterans, “thank you for your service” we look forward to serving you.
Veterans Corner
The Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office writes an article once each month that is published in the “Weekender”. These articles called “Veterans Corner” provide information related to veteran’s issues and benefits. The articles are published once per month and can be found in one of the editions of the weekender which is distributed each Friday of the month. The weekender has a wide distribution in Susquehanna County. For your convenience we also make the articles available here on the County website.
Anyone with any questions about the benefits available to Veterans and their family members can call the Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs Office at (570) 278-5955.
VETERANS CORNER
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer
Memorial Day is Monday May 29th this year. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day following the Civil War. The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs recognizes that approximately 25 places claim to have originated the holiday. Decoration Day only recognized fallen soldiers of the Civil War until World War I. The name "Memorial Day", which was first attested in 1882, gradually became more common than "Decoration Day" after World War II, but was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971.
On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day. In December 2000, Congress passed a law requiring Americans to pause at 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day to remember and honor the fallen. (Wikipedia)
This year Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs plans to distribute approximately 9,500 flags to local Veterans organizations and cemeteries to be placed in honor, at graves every Susquehanna County Veteran’s grave. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Many elected county officials will be participating in the numerous Memorial Day Observances honoring our fallen brave throughout the county. On Sunday May 28th there is a parade in Thompson at 1:00 pm. All other parades are on Monday, May 29th. Montrose parade line up at 9:30 am starts in vicinity of Tom Kerr’s garage/McDonalds. The Montrose parade starts at 10:00 am and ends at Memorial Green where there will be a memorial service, with dedications to the fallen from various organizations, and Montrose Mayor Lamont speaking. This is immediately followed by brief memorial services at the small memorial to the left of the courthouse as viewed from Public Avenue, the Catholic Cemetery, and the Montrose Cemetery. The other Memorial Day parades are at: Hallstead American Legion at 9:00 am; New Milford mid-town park at 10:00 am; Susquehanna 11:00 am-line up at 10:30 am; Forest City starts at North Main St. near D. G.’s at 11:00 am followed by a service at William Penn Apartment’s lawn; and Great Bend VFW 11:00am.
On this solemn holiday, we express our gratitude for the brave men and women who have died protecting this great nation.
"For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue."- James A. Garfield
"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it."-Unknown.
Contact Information
Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-5955
Fax: (570) 278-5977
Jeffery Mead, Director / VSO