Lichtenegger: Know Your Missouri State Departments: Department of Public Safety (DPS), Veterans Commission

I thought it appropriate –given tomorrow is Veterans Day- to review the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Veteran Commission.

The most recent and significant publication of the MO Veterans Commission is the first ever comprehensive –State & Federal- guide for Veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and their families. Link here to view the Missouri Benefits and Resource Guide. Be sure to save yourself an electronic copy for yourself or a loved-one. The commission ran out of hard copies soon after its publication so currently it is only available in a downloadable pdf format from the Missouri Veterans Commission's website.

This guide covers state benefits available to veterans and the military that include education, small business, employment, vehicle licensing, and healthcare. The guide also contains information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration.

During your visit to the website be sure to explore the other areas of information and resource. Below is a link where you can view the Commission’s main webpage:
http://www.mvc.dps.mo.gov/

The lower portion of the main page has a Missouri map wherein you can easily find any state Veteran facility.

And certainly don’t hesitate to call the info-line the commission has set up to answer all your questions: 1-866-VET-INFO

You may also wish to hear actual stories of veterans by visiting the Missouri Veteran History Project website and click on the Listen To Veterans’ Stories (left-most side near top).

Constitutent Corner

One of the many Veterans Day events in Southeast Missouri is the Southeast Hospice Partners with Veterans Home

Southeast Hospice, in partnership with the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, will hold a special program at the Veterans home on Armistice (Veterans) Day, November 11.

"Let Freedom Ring: 11-11-11" will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will culminate at 11:00 a.m. with the ringing of bells for two minutes.

The Hospice and Palliative Care Association Veterans Committee is asking every church, school, business and town across Missouri, to ring their bells at 11:00 a.m. in memory of the 1918 armistice ending World War I.

The program will include a color guard by American Legion Post 158 in Jackson; a performance by the St. Andrew Lutheran Church Bell Choir, under the direction of Eric Coomer; a selection of songs performed by Mary Bauer, Miss Jackson 2011; and brief remarks by Sen. Jason Crowell. Small, hand held bells will be distributed so everyone can participate in the 11:00 a.m. bell ringing.