On June 8 with support from the Waco VA Regional Office, over 1,200 Veterans attended “Summer VetFest” at the Fort Worth VA Outpatient Clinic. The Veterans were able to file benefit claims, learn about VA educational programs and connect with Veteran Service Organizations.
Inside the VA clinic, Waco VA Regional Office representatives met with almost 400 of those Veterans to assist with filing benefit claims and answer questions about the claims process.
Representatives from the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, which provides job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, job seeking skills and coaching were also on hand to help with job opportunities.
Prior to the event, Veterans were encouraged to schedule face-to-face appointments with a Veteran Service Representative. While waiting for their appointments, Veterans were briefed about the wide array of VA services.
Filing claim 55 years later
Army Veteran Aubrey Bradford, who was drafted in May 1969 and never applied for VA benefits, was one of the 400 Veterans in attendance. Prior to being drafted to a special unit with 11 soldiers, he practiced martial arts, including Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu and was an expert in weapons. His skills in martial arts earned him the title of Michigan State Champion.
“That’s why we were chosen for the special unit, because we were already highly trained and skilled,” Bradford said. The extreme trainings while in service left him unable to cope with society upon his return home. “I had extreme post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and needed to learn to control my impulses. Thankfully, my parents were able to help me obtain treatment,” he said.
Now 55 years later, he is getting additional help. Through the encouragement of his daughter, Bradford is filing a VA benefits claim for the first time. After meeting with VA staff at Summer VetFest, Bradford is adamant about encouraging all Veterans to file for VA benefits.
Zadie Patterson-Ferguson, Veteran’s Service Center coach, says she hears this all the time. “So many Veterans view VA benefits as a handout. They think they do not qualify or are taking benefits from someone else. Events like VetFest give Veterans the opportunity to speak face-to-face with VA employees and walk the Veteran through the process of filing.”
