It looks like we are back to normal weather for now. I have had 55 phone calls and 28 visitors this month. We had 14 veterans go to their respective clinics or hospitals this month.
I will be at the American Legion Post 72 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 and at the VFW Post 1431 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 22.
Here are my numbers for 2023: 199 offfice visits; 579 phone calls; and 95 veterans to the clinics or hospitals.
We helped file claims for aid and attendance, hearing loss and tinnitus, diabetes type 2, cancer, loss of limb, certificate of eligibility for tax deduction for home, certificate of eligibility for handicap license plates, and for heart disease.
We have two volunteers, Steve Swyers and Mike Utterback, who drive our veterans to their health appointments. We do thank them for their service.
We are still waiting for our second van. It has been of a year.
We had our Veteran Day Parade on Nov 11.
The American Legion has started a nonprofit 501-3c for the Veterans Memorial Park, which will have a Huey helicopter as well as a M-52 Duster along with a M-110-Howitzer.
We are collecting veterans names for brick pavers to be placed on site. Cost is $100. See me or the Legion for the forms.
We held a meeting every quarter with the VFW, DAV and the American Legion to bring our groups together. I also held meetings at the VFW and the American Legion each month.
We delivered 37 bags of Christmas goodies to Wellbrook, Whitlock Place, Ben Hur, Hickory Creek, Bickford Place and Lane Place. Gary Bell, Ron Keedy and Mr. and Mrs. John Zlotucha helped with these deliveries.
Lastly, we don’t want to forget the passing of Major Gen. Richard Chastain and his wife. They will be sorely missed.
I also helped with a VA Claims Clinic on May 20 at the American Legion Post 11 in Lafayette. I saw 12 veterans from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day.
Should anyone need to get a hold of me, call 765-361-4133. My office is in the Montgomery County Government Center, 1580 Constitution Row, Crawfordsville.
Joe Ellis is the Montgomery County Veterans Officer. He can be reached at the Montgomery County Government Center, 1580 Constitution Row, Crawfordsville, IN 47933; by email at joe.ellis@montgomeryco.net; by landline telephone at 361-4133; or by cellphone at 765-401-0432.
