VA reaches out to rural veterans

By News14

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – There was a different sort of greeting at the Kmart on Bridford Parkway Friday morning.

“Good morning, have you ever served in the U.S. Military?” asked Amanda Conley, a Pharmacist for the Veterans Administration.

Among the shoppers and Kmart specials, there was a display for the VA with about a half a dozen staffers on hand.

“It’s the VA getting out and reaching out to the veterans in rural communities,” said Dwight Holmes, a spokesman for the Department of Veterans Affairs. “We talk to them about their health care, the VA’s healthcare.”

Pharmacists and nurses are on hand to talk to veterans and others.

“We also have our social worker here, in case people have questions about depression or PTSD,” said Holmes.

While shoppers looked for bargains, over the loudspeakers came the message, “good morning Kmart shoppers, today with have some friends with us, the VA.”

In addition to taking blood pressure for vets or anyone else in the store, they also have pamphlets on various health matters.

Jarrad Williams, 47, served six years in the U.S. Coast Guard in the 1980’s.

“I’ve used VA health benefits before, but it’s been some time so I’m probably out of the system,” said Williams. “Now’s as good a time as any to get back in the system.”

Efforts like this are designed to reach veterans in rural areas who don’t know about or don’t take advantage of VA health benefits.

“We’re trying to reach out to those veterans and let them know, listen, you earned your benefits, take advantage of them, they’re here for you,” said Holmes.

Many of the older veterans say they’re using benefits. But VA workers want to make sure Vietnam vets don’t fall through the cracks or those who served in the Persian Gulf conflicts.
They had booths at the Coca-Cola 600 and Merlefest. Hundreds have applied for benefits in the state since the program started in April.

“I’m just grateful to see that they’re out here,” said Williams.

For more information on the Veteran’s Administration’s Rural Health Program, you can call the Salisbury Medical Center at (704) 638-9000, extension 4958, or visit the VA’s website.