Sisters veterans find a voice

Air Force veteran Chuck Marshall walked through the door of the Maida Bailey Building on a brisk but sunny day, hopeful that his appointment on March 1 with Deschutes County Veteran's Services Officer, Keith Macnamara, would yield him an accepted claim.

Marshall attempted to make a claim for veteran's benefits in 2001, his first one ever, and was denied because the Veterans Administration (VA) said he wasn't a vet.

With more than 29 years of service, Marshall found this new information more than disappointing.

"I was being denied because somewhere along the line someone determined I wasn't a veteran even though I have my discharge papers," he said.

According to the Sisters Area Veterans Group, having benefits denied is somewhat commonplace. There's a lot of paperwork involved.

Macnamara handles all that paperwork for each veteran, regardless of amount of time served, or where they served.

"When I received the letter denying my claim I was so disgusted I just threw all the paperwork in a drawer. I got the feeling that the VA was trying to stall to get out of paying my claim," said Marshall.

Having served from 1955-1989 as an Aircraft Mechanic, first on active duty, then in the Air Force Reserves, and rounding out his military service in the Oregon Air National Guard full-time for 16 years, Marshall more than earned his benefits.

Armed with an envelope full of paperwork, he met with Macnamara for a half-hour appointment.

"Keith was great with filling out the necessary paperwork. He is very knowledgeable and really wants to help the vets. The vets just have to come in so Keith can help them. And now, with Keith coming to Sisters, it's better than ever," said Marshall.

"I think there are a lot of people who don't realize these benefits are there," said Kitty Kinzer.

Kinzer and her sister, April Steignman, met with Macnamara a couple of years ago in an effort to help their father, Master Sergeant Albert Dyson of the Army Air Corps (the predecessor to the Air Force). "My folks simply did not realize what was available to them. My dad died last year, but he got his benefits for a little more than a year thanks to Keith Macnamara. Now he is helping my mom with additional paperwork."

With the inclusion of Sisters to the service area that the Deschutes County Veterans' Services offers to veterans, Sisters area vets can grab a cup of coffee and head on over to the old library building at 151 N. Spruce St. (behind the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center) to meet with

Macnamara.

Macnamara met with 14 veterans that inaugural day, and will be in Sisters the first and third Mondays of every month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcomed for now but as word gets out, appointments are the way to go.

"I can better serve each vet if they make an appointment," Macnamara said.

Call 541-385-3214 to make an appointment. Request your appointment be made in Sisters.