Veterans services come to Sisters

For the first time in Sisters' history, a Deschutes County Veterans Services Officer will be available in Sisters for all veterans.

Starting Monday, March 1 at 10 a.m. the Deschutes County Veterans Services Officer, Keith Macnamara, will be in Sisters ready and able to meet with any and all veterans.

Macnamara will be available the first and third Monday of each month between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 151 N. Spruce St., the Maida Bailey Building (otherwise known as the old, old library building) which is connected to the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center by a breezeway.

"I've been trying to get to Sisters for a couple of years now," said Macnamara. "I was limited by staffing at the home office in Bend. Now I have a part-time assistant, which enables me to travel to the vets in other cities in Deschutes County. 3,800 vets have been assisted by this office and there are 16,000 vets, approximately, in Deschutes County."

According to the Deschutes County Web site, "The Veterans' Service Office assists veterans and their dependents with submitting claims to the Veterans Administration for several benefit programs related to disability..."

Now this service is available in Sisters, too.

Retired from the Navy, Macnamara understands veterans and is eager to serve.

"I'm here to assist all vets and their families with any VA benefits they may be eligible for. Even questions and answers if that's what they want. All benefits are case by case. I help them determine if they're eligible," said Macnamara. "The toughest part has always been the paperwork, but I shoulder all that work for them. The vets just have to participate."

If you're a veteran, or a family member of a veteran, and not sure if you are eligible for benefits, stop in to see Macnamara.

"The work I do is extremely important to me," he said. "This service is strictly for those who have ever served in the United States military, even if not during war time."

Those not eligible would be persons with a dishonorable discharge. However, if they have questions about their discharge and believe it was in error, Macnamara can answer most of their questions as well.

Veterans will be asked to provide some documents such as these, listed on the Web site: "Assistance is provided in obtaining and compiling the necessary documents to complete the claims filing process. Forms requested include military service and military medical records, discharges and DD214s, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, birth certificates, civilian medical records, information on the receiving of medals, ribbons and commendations and any other information that may be required by the Veterans Administration."

Any veteran can simply show up to get started, but appointments would be preferred.

"I would like to give enough time to each veteran or family member to completely address all their concerns or questions," said Macnamara.

The Deschutes County Veterans Services Office can be reached at 541-385-3214. Ask to be scheduled in Sisters.