The Military Veterans and Liaison Office on Capital Hill was packed with local veterans yesterday as they listened to visiting federal officials discuss their benefits.
At least 45 veterans attended the briefing and asked questions.
Reed said “it’s going to be a tremendous program for the veterans who helped fight for freedom.”
Starting in August, he said veterans who served on or after 9/11 will receive improved benefits, which include a monthly subsistence allowance.
Veteran Affairs, he said, will pay for the school expenses of veterans or fund the training facility directly.
VA, he added, will also give them housing stipends.
With Reed was the VA team leader from Guam, Catherine Illarmo,
Reed, who is based in Honolulu, Hawaii, said VA is now increasing its outreach activities for the veterans in the Pacific insular areas.
He said they have plans to visit the islands on a regular basis to meet with the veterans.
CNMI Military and Veterans Affairs executive officer Ruth Coleman told Reed that many local veterans are having difficulties in traveling all the way to Hawaii to work out on their claims and get the healthcare services they need.
Reed said their regular visits will try to address this concern.
The regular meetings with veterans, he said, will also solicit claims while informing veterans about the wide variety of benefits that they are entitled to.
Coleman said her office has already registered 1,200 veterans and up to 400 active duty personnel.
This should justify the establishment of a VA outreach clinic and benefits office on Saipan, she added.
