14-02-2025
Veteran's symposium helps connect vets to resources
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Life after service can be confusing at times. Some veterans have benefits that they didn't even know existed.
The Veterans Aging and Survivors Benefits Symposium is looking to change that.
'This stuff's important because there's a lot of stuff that veterans have as far as benefits, and we don't know about them,' said Claire Stender, who attended the symposium.
A packed room full of retired service members and community partners listened to keynote speakers, who talked about a variety of topics: Anything from medical benefits to post-life care.
'It's one of those things that you don't want to do, and you procrastinate,' said Stender. 'But I feel I have to do it because I don't want my loved ones to be stressed and not being able to get things in order that I didn't leave behind.'
For some who attended, it was a chance to get more information about the programs, after a long journey to join the Veteran's Affairs organization.
'In '03, you had to sign up for the VA,' said George Kornfeld, another attendee. 'My paperwork I turned in had three questions I didn't answer… They shredded my paperwork, so I was never going to get into the VA.'
Now, he's is in the VA, and an event like the one held Thursday afternoon helped him understand the nuances of post-service benefits just a little bit more.
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