VETERANS SERVICES

Updates:

• Veterans or family members who are receiving VA Service Connected Disability or VA Pension payments that do not receive other money from the Federal Government will be required to give the IRS direct deposit information to expedite the stimulus check. Go to IRS.gov and click the “I Don’t Have to File” link to start the process.

• The Cumberland County Veterans Assistance Fund is still operating during these times.  This fund is available to help with emergency costs such as rent, utilities, food, emergency home repairs etc. for Cumberland County resident military veterans that have not been dishonorably discharged.  To start the request, call the VSO at 456-0090.  The office completes the verification of veteran status then passes the veteran’s information on to the fund interviewer to take an application. The entire process can take less than an hour.

The VSO team is here to serve and is dedicated to helping veterans and family members in many areas of need. Call to see how we can help! 

Garry Blaisdell was appointed by County Mayor Foster and approved by the Cumberland County Commission in June 2020 to take over the county’s Veteran Service Officer (VSO) position. Mr. Blaisdell retired from the United States Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) after twenty-one years of service. In his final assignment as the 74th Fighter Squadron Maintenance Superintendent, he provided leadership and career mentoring to over 200 enlisted members in day to day, and worldwide deployed fighter aircraft operations. Garry recently retired from Pratt & Whitney/United Technologies, where he spent 22 years in multiple leadership roles in the military jet engine division, supporting development, validation and testing of the military’s next generation fighter engines. Garry stayed connected to the active duty force throughout his civilian career as the F119 (F-22) fighter engine maintenance services manager, Pratt & Whitney Test Operations Site Manager at Arnold AFB, TN, and F135 (F-35) fighter engine DEPOT manager in WPB, providing management oversight and day to day interface for the military customer. Garry has extensive experience in personnel management and has earned two Graduate Degrees that will provide a solid background for executing his VSO responsibilities.

Hired in September 2012, Wendy Johnston brought her wealth of medical and administrative knowledge to help the community’s veterans. She has been in public relations and communications since 1995. She started as a switchboard operator at Cumberland Medical Center. She continued in this capacity while she worked at the Crossville Medical Group being a receptionist and a medical records clerk from 2004 to 2010. In 2011, Wendy was instrumental in organizing the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Reunion and Parade. She was one of the principals who helped to bring The Traveling Wall to Cumberland County as part of the ceremonies. She continues to use her administrative and public relations knowledge to help veterans today.

In 2017, she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Daughters of the American Revolution for her work helping veterans.  In 2015 she was trained by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services as a Veteran Service Officer and granted accreditation as a VSO by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs!

LINKS OF INTEREST

Service-Connected Disability Compensation

Wartime Veteran or Widow’s Pension Program with Housebound/Aid and Attendance

Health Benefits Enrollment and Explanations

Burial Benefits, Flags, Headstones, Markers, and Military Honors

Ordering Replacement Copies of Discharge Papers, or Military & Service Medical Records

GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Dependents Educational Assistance

VA Insurance Programs

Filing a Notice of Disagreements and Appeals for Denied Claims