Local veterans speak in support of Veterans Service Officer at county council meeting

At the public-comment portion of the Vermillion County Council meeting, several veterans and residents urged support for the county Veterans Service Officer and asked the council to provide staff assistance so the officer can continue serving a growing caseload.

Army veteran Pete Bales described lengthy waits for appointments and said he had not received adequate help from previous VSOs but praised the current officer's competence. “She's she's the 1 for this job,” Bales said, urging the council to provide whatever help is necessary so the VSO is not overwhelmed. Other commenters echoed the request and offered to volunteer or assist if the council needed community support.

Council members thanked the commenters and said they would follow up with the VSO and staff to scope options for part-time help and an advertisement for any required appropriation. No votes occurred during the public-comment section; the meeting moved to adjournment after public comment concluded.