By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore/Autauga News
When it comes to locating resources for retired military, Jenny Reed is the search engine for veteran services.
Reed is the new Autauga County Veterans Service Officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, and she says she is ready to help veterans locate available resources. If a veteran does not qualify for a service or services through the VA, Reed will do her best to locate a local organization, often a nonprofit, that can help.
Reed is retired military and during her time in the Army, she was assigned to Fort Eustis Virginia. She was deployed in support of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom in March of 2003. Her next assignments included Walter Reed; Washington, D.C.; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Camp Hovey, South Korea; and Fort Rucker Alabama. Reed retired in September of 2016.
“I had a great experience,” she said about her time in the Army. “I worked with a great group of people. I got to see some of the world and do some different things. It got me out of Alabama and Georgia, so I was able to get a little education as well because you do get that when you can meet other people. I really enjoyed it.”
During her service she was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korea Service Defense Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
As a retired veteran Reed understands what it is like to need resources and services that the Alabama VA offers.
“I have a passion for people, especially veterans because me being a veteran myself and I was medically retired due to a service-connected disability. So, that made me want to help veterans a little more to navigate the process,” she said.
Reed was born in Donalsonville Georgia. She enlisted in the United States Army in May of 2001. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Work. While she is new to the area, she is not new to the position.
“When I graduated I stayed there a couple of years and worked at the Troy for Troops Center. After that I found out about the Veteran’s Service Officer jobs. So, I applied for that and moved to Aniston and that is where I started, about eight months ago,” she said.
Reed is also there to assist the families of veterans with resources and services.
“When a veteran dies, the family should ask to have the veteran’s service-connected disability applied to the veteran’s death certificate as a contributing cause. This makes a big difference in the type of benefits the survivor may receive,” Reed said.
There are also services for veteran caregivers.
“If the veteran or their surviving spouse is receiving compensation or pension, they may qualify for aid and attendance,” Reed said. “This is where the VA will pay them to have someone to come into their home and assist them with everyday living activities such as preparing meals, bathing, getting dressed, and laundry just to name a few.”
Autauga County Veterans Service Officer, under the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. offers a wide variety of resources to veterans and their families. Reed says her door is open for walk-ins on Tuesdays and Thursdays and she is in the office during the 12 o’clock lunch hour ready to help those who may need those services.
Below is list of services offered at the Autauga County Veterans Service:
1. Assist eligible veterans, their families and survivors apply for U.S. Federal and State benefits that they may be entitled to under the existing laws.
2. Veterans can apply for compensation, pension, aid and attendance and education benefits.
3. Assist survivors of veterans apply for Dependency Indemnity Compensation, Survivors Pension, caregiver program, aid and attendance, and education benefits such as the VA Chapter 35 and the Alabama G.I. Dependents Scholarship.
4. Assist veterans and their family complete the Veteran State Home application. The Veteran State Home offers memory care, assisted living and full-time care.
5. Assist veterans apply for pre-burial determination at the National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL, or the State Veterans cemetery located at Fort Mitchell, AL, and Spanish Fort, AL.
6. Assist veterans request service and medical records.
7. Assist veterans with a discharge character upgrade.
8. Make referrals for other programs such as the VA Homeless Program, Section 8, Alabama Aging and Elderly program, and 211 for other community resources.
The Autauga County Veteran Service Office is located at 218 N Court St., Prattville, and open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office closes for Lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. To make an appointment, call 334-358-6746.
