The Cass County Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a town hall meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Cassopolis VFW Post 10704.

Veterans, spouses and military families are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will feature representatives from the Michigan Veterans Affair Agency, Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Volunteers of America, Workforce Development Agency, Cass County Veteran Affairs and the Veterans Education Initiative.

“Veterans and their spouses are directly affected by the lack of understanding of benefits,” said Michael Wilson, CSM/Army Ret. regional coordinator for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Southwest Michigan. “Some benefits directly relate to spouses. Some hiring fairs and veteran appreciation events are directed toward veterans and their spouses.

“Single veterans have parents and siblings that want the best for their veteran loved one. If the veteran is unavailable to attend this town hall meeting, but if a family member can get there to learn more about benefits and support, they can share what they learn from this meeting.”

They will be sharing information on veteran’s benefits and issues facing veterans today. There will be information provided and representatives will be on hand to assist with questions and concerns about veteran benefits.

Cass County Veteran Affairs Director Tom Green agrees with Wilson.

“The push from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, which is the new agency created about two years ago by the state of Michigan, is to get veterans the services they are entitled to and make them aware of what those services are,” he said. “I think that is why they are doing these town hall meetings.

“It is the idea that we can get veterans in touch with organizations that may have the services they are looking for. It is a first time thing and I am hoping veterans show up. We are inviting their families too. We are not going to try to force them into signing up for this or that. It is strictly going to be an informational meeting.”

Green is hoping that those who attend the meeting will have their questions answered, or at the very least, be directed to someone who can assist them with answering their questions.