District #5, American Legion, Department of Montana
Conducts its Fall District Meeting
10:00 am, Sunday, 29 September, 2019
Post #27 in Missoula
Conduct District Business
Friday, August 23, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Congress and the White House agree to expand definition of war eras to include all who served since Dec. 7, 1941.
More than 1,600 members of the U.S. Armed Forces were killed or wounded in periods of time
not designated as war eras since the end of World War II.
The newly signed Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act of 2019 –
The LEGION Act – honors those veterans, their spouses and descendants, extending membership eligibility in The American Legion Family to hundreds of thousands who had previously been excluded.
The LEGION Act offers American Legion membership eligibility to any U.S. military veteran who served at least one day of active military duty since Dec. 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged or is serving now.
The act also affects membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, expanding eligibility for those groups, as well.
The newly signed Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act of 2019 –
The LEGION Act – honors those veterans, their spouses and descendants, extending membership eligibility in The American Legion Family to hundreds of thousands who had previously been excluded.
The LEGION Act offers American Legion membership eligibility to any U.S. military veteran who served at least one day of active military duty since Dec. 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged or is serving now.
The act also affects membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, expanding eligibility for those groups, as well.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Corvallis Memorial Day Parade honors Korean War veteran by Kevin Maki
CORVALLIS, Mont. — As always, the Corvallis Memorial Day Parade packed crowds to Main Street with people even spilling onto the highway to watch the annual event.
The parade's grand marshal was a Navy veteran who served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1954.
Ralph Keppel lives in Hamilton and was raised in Missoula.
"I'm delighted to be in this parade," he said. "It's such an honor for me. I'm very pleased to be an American."
Keppel worked in mine warfare during his service.
"Every one of us veterans did something," he said. "Every veteran on the street I say thank you buddy or lady. This is why we have a free country."
"We veterans have a great bond together," he said. "We all know people that have lost their lives in the wars and we respect every one of them."
The parade is sponsored by American Legion Post 91 and the Ladies Auxiliary.
The parade is celebrating its 99th year in Corvallis, and this year veterans are honoring the American Legion on its 100th birthday.
It's often called "The Biggest Little Parade." But it's not very little.
It attracts people from all over the Bitterroot, with many visitors from other parts of the region and around the country.
There's something for everybody to watch, from veterans groups and school bands to tractors and horses and motorcycle riders.
It brings out a great many families, and kids on this cool, clear morning were especially attentive to the colorful entries and the candy that was distributed.
Keppel to be honored as Corvallis Grand Marshal MAY 23, 2019 BY JEAN SCHURMAN
Each year, the Corvallis American Legion selects a veteran to lead the annual Memorial Day Parade as the grand marshal. This year, that honor goes to Ralph Keppel of Hamilton. He is a veteran of the Korean War and a lifelong Montanan. He and his wife, Marilyn, live in Hamilton in the green house with used brick details located on Pine Street.
He says he never met a relative. He is the only child of parents who are only children as well. In fact, he’s never even met a person with the same last name. He and his wife have been married and 67 years. They have a son who lives in Alaska and is an Viet Nam war veteran, a daughter in Hawaii and another in Boise, Idaho. They also have a grandson who is a veteran of the Afghanistan war.
Keppel was born in Missoula in 1930. His father was a tile setter and it was from him that Keppel learned to be a good worker and a hard worker. It was also from his father that he learned to love his country and to serve this country. His father was in the Navy in World War I and Keppel was always fascinated by his father’s stories. His dad was a moulder on a repair ship during that war. The ship’s function was to rebuild and repair parts of other ships. They would melt down metal to rebuild bearings, gears, rods, anything that was metal and broken, to send the ship on its way.
“You couldn’t just run down to Ace Hardware,” said Keppel. “They had to make everything for their repairs.”
One of Keppel’s most prized possessions is a metal lighthouse that his father made by melting down metal and casting it. This stands in a place of honor on the mantle next to other mementos, photos and paintings. The artistic gene was passed on from his father to Keppel and his children, and, by proxy, his wife. Everywhere you turn in their house, there is evidence of this talent, from wooden carvings by his wife to the ornate brickwork throughout the house and yard.
One such project has kept Keppel busy for the last few years. He builds the wooden crosses that are placed upon veterans graves in the Hamilton cemetery. He says there are over 2,000 veterans buried there and it is his hope to have one of these crosses on every grave eventually. He builds about 100 each spring and has the production line going right now.
Keppel enlisted in the Navy seven days after he turned 21 and served for four years. His specialty was undersea weapons or mines. They spent their time checking the mechanisms and testing the mines to make sure they were ready when called for. However the Korean War was not a naval war and he never left stateside. He was stationed on the east coast for the duration of his service and finished at Yorktown, Virginia, at the U.S. Naval Mine Depot.
“But we were always in readiness,” he said. “You never knew when they might need our services and we knew we were all part of a team.”
After leaving the service, Keppel and his family returned to Montana and soon began his own business. His father had told him, “If you can’t sell yourself, you can’t sell your job.”
With experience as a tile layer and brick layer, Keppel built buildings, walls, monuments and other structures all over. They worked hard and they built their home. “We lived the American Dream, we’re lucky people.”
When he retired, Keppel heeded some advise given to him by an ‘old-timer’. He told him to rest is to rust and Keppel has stuck to that philosophy. For many years he was a volunteer firemen. He spent 10 years on Hamilton’s zoning boards and the board of adjustment. He has also been a driver for the American Cancer society, giving rides to those who need treatment and don’t have transportation. He still goes to the gym and works out almost daily.
And of course, he’s been very active in the American Legion. He is a 59 year member of Post 47 in Hamilton. He said he has to be one of the oldest Honor Squad members who execute the 21 gun salute at military funerals. “I’m very proud to stand for veterans. That’s why we’re free people.”
Keppel said he was very pleased to represent the veteran community and the community as a whole. “I think there are more qualified people. All of us have all played a part. It takes teamwork from everyone; I did my part and I did it well.”
This year’s parade will be on Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m.
The Corvallis American Legion Post #91 and the Ladies Auxiliary will host the 99th Annual Corvallis Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m. The parade, which is one of the longest parades in the valley, is also one of the shortest. The parade is almost an hour long but the distance is only two blocks long.
This year’s theme is “Celebrate the American Legion’s 100th Birthday.” The parade was organized by returning veterans after World War I upon their return from Europe. The solders marched down Main Street to the cheers of the local residents. Then, as now, patriotism is first and foremost for almost all of the participants.
The day begins early with breakfast served from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Corvallis High School Lunch Room. The lunch room is located on the east side of the high school. After the parade, there are food booths, games and much visiting by old-timers and newcomers alike. There will also be a throwing competition after the parade at the south west corner of the Corvallis football field. This is hosted by the SAAA Bitterroot Heavy Athletics.
At noon, following the parade, Post #91 will conduct the annual memorial ceremony at the Corvallis Cemetery. Post members will read the names of all of the veterans buried at the cemetery. The very earliest are from the Mexican War in 1848. Following that, there will be a ceremony at the Woodside Cutoff Bridge where a wreath will be placed in the Bitterroot River to honor all those lost at sea.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and traditionally held on May 30th. Memorial Day today is celebrated on the last Monday of May.
Bitterroot Valley honors the fallen at Corvallis Memorial Day Parade BY MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
The American Legion and Auxiliary Post 91 hosted the Memorial Day celebrations in Corvallis on Monday to pay tribute to those who gave their all.
The large crowd, 10-15 people deep on both sides of Main Street, started selecting their seats about 8 a.m. for the parade that began two-hours later. They cheered for the many veterans who marched as color guards or rode on floats, in classic cars and on motorcycles (Patriot Guard Riders).
Ravalli County Sherriff Steve Holton led the parade that lasted an hour and a half.
Memorial Day Parade grand marshal was Hamilton resident Ralph Keppel. He served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1950–1954 and has been a member of the American Legion for 59 years
His enduring commitment to service made him the perfect choice for the theme selected by the Ladies Auxiliary, “The American Legion’s 100th Birthday.”
Keppel said he enjoyed riding in a classic Army jeep and that being grand marshall was a “beautiful experience.”
“I had so many tears in my eyes I could hardly see,” he said after the parade. “It is an overwhelming experience to do something like this. I have been in this parade for many years. I’ve marched, ridden and been down this road a long, long time.”
He said the crowd was exceptional.
“The people eat these veterans up,” he said. “You can’t do this with a dry eye, everyone loves us — the children waving, the mothers and fathers waving — it is totally overwhelming. It makes me feel so proud to be an American.”
Keppel said living in Montana all his life has been a blessing.
“I thank my lucky stars to have lived here and raised my family here,” he said. “I feel like we have a protective bubble over the top of us, compared to the rest of the world. Go, Montana, go!”
This year the parade announcer was Steve Fullerton of KLYQ. The weather was cooler and cloudy but no rain.
The parade started with a cannon fire at the south end of Main Street. Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton led the parade that lasted an hour and a half. The parade had over 85 entries including veterans, children, floats, music, clubs, horses, athletes, emergency vehicles, classic cars, business vehicles, two groups of political supporters and county attorney Bill Fulbright cleaning up after the horses.
Ravalli County Patrol Sergeant Jered Guisinger rode in the parade as the American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Montana.
Always a crowd favorite is the Blue Devil Marching Band, that this year had Corvallis High School Homecoming King Galen Hughes as drum major and leader.
The parade entries are judged before the parade each year and Grand Champion was Stony Brook Farm Equestrian Center, Reserve Grand Champion was Larry Bays’ 1937 GMC and Most Patriotic was the Patriot Guard Riders of Montana.
Uncle Sam, aka Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf made an appearance. Darby Rodeo Royalty Queen Cassie Turner, Miss Addison Jessup and Miss Johnali Johns we exceptional riders.
The Corvallis High School jazz band performed after the parade and the Corvallis Performing Arts Booster Club hosted a barbeque.
After the parade, Post 91 conducted its annual memorial ceremony at noon at the Corvallis Cemetery with a bagpiper and 21-gun salute then went to Woodside Cutoff Bridge for a special tribute honoring those who died at sea.
Memorial Day Parade in Corvallis on Monday BY MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
Korean War Navy veteran Ralph Keppel will be the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade hosted by American Legion Post #91 in Corvallis on Monday.
Keppel is 89 and has been a strong servant in the American Legion for 59 years.
“Probably 30 of those years I served on the honor squad for burying the veterans,” he said. “I’ve been post commander and went through the chairs. When we were young we did a lot of that stuff. My wife has volunteered a lot and that’s what you do in a community.”
As a longtime honor guard, Keppel said he feels like he’s marched in the Corvallis Memorial Day parade for what feels like “912 years.”
“The American Legion Stevensville Post has a wagon that they pull all us old ducks,” Keppel said. “I can’t tell you the love and the appreciation you get from the people as you go by. It just about brings you to tears as you go down that street, everyone is cheering for you and waiving at you. It is a terrific rush.”
Keppel said he is looking forward to riding in a jeep and doing the presidential wave as grand marshal.
Ralph and Marilyn Keppel have been married 67 years and built the house they live in 54 years ago. She worked for Ravalli County and he was a masonry contractor for 40 years who
Built the First Security Bank 65 years ago. He’s been a volunteer fireman, served on the zoning board and driven cancer patients for treatment.
He just completed making and painting 100 crosses to mark veteran’s graves in the Riverside Cemetery in Hamilton.
“There are over 1,000 military graves in that cemetery, just the ones we know,” Keppel said. “Gaining new and young members is a challenge. We are having a real struggle to have young people to join in they have too many deviations with all the electronics and all the other stuff they do, so they don’t have time for it.”
Keppel served in the Navy from 1950–1954 in undersea mines. His dad (Andrew) served in WWI, his son (William) served in Vietnam and his grandson (Scott Lette) served in Afghanistan.
Keppel said his father, born in 1894, only had a third-grade education because he had to start work in a factory at age 12 to support his family before child labor laws.
“He learned the tile trade, was very smart and learned in his own way,” Keppel said. “He made me earn everything I ever had, to make me stand on my own feet. That sounds tough but when you have to earn something yourself you take care of it.”
Keppel is a native Montanan who grew up in Missoula, before he had even travelled to larger Montana he went to boot camp in San Diego. He remembers that once he caught a bus to Hollywood to watch the radio show of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.
“Well Rita Hayworth came out on stage and I was sitting in the front row,” Keppel said. “She put her face about six inches from mine and winked. Life has a lot of nice experiences.”
The Ladies Auxiliary sponsors the parade and select the theme, this year it is “The American Legion’s 100th Birthday.”
The Corvallis Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. at the north end of Main Street with local school children, floats, music, clubs, horses, politicians, emergency vehicles, classic cars and veterans.
The Corvallis High School choir will give a performance after the parade and will host a barbecue.
After the parade, Post 91 will conduct its annual memorial ceremony at noon at the Corvallis Cemetery where they read the names of all the veterans buried at the cemetery dating back to the Mexican War (1848). Then Post 91 goes to Woodside Cutoff Bridge to honor those who died at sea.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Corvallis' Mason honored for service to country and community By PERRY BACKUS
In a room filled to the brim, a Corvallis native was honored Monday for his service to his country and his community.
Standing against one wall of the Corvallis Fire Hall, Doug Mason’s father was so proud that he had to fight back tears after watching his son receive a commendation and flag that had flown over the nation's "Capitol from U.S. Greg Gianforte.
It had been about a month and a half since Doug Mason walked into BJ’s Restaurant to attend the veterans’ prayer breakfast that he had been instrumental in starting.
“He came in that day and said, ‘By the way, I'm going to get an award,’” Gary Mason said, with a smile. “I wasn’t surprised. He has done a lot since he’s come back home. That’s just part of his nature. Even before he went into the service back when he was just a boy, he had it all planned out. He’s done just what he said back then.”
Doug Mason joined the U.S. Army in 1981, a year before he graduated from Corvallis High School. He served with the Second Ranger Battalion and saw action in Grenada in 1983. When he finished his first enlistment, he returned home and went back to school and ROTC. After graduation, he was commissioned as an officer and obtained the rank of captain in the Infantry.
Mason is a decorated veteran. His commendations include the Valorous Unit Award that recognizes extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the country.
His military career ended abruptly after he was severely injured in Korea when a dump truck smashed into the vehicle in which he was riding in 1995. With his back broken, Mason had to learn to walk again. He moved back to Corvallis in 1999 and officially retired from the military in 2000.
“It was a long ordeal, but we got through it,” Mason said.
He didn’t let any of that slow him down when he returned to his hometown.
Mason went to work to revitalize the Corvallis American Legion Post 91 and eventually became its commander. Along the way, he used his leadership skills to promote patriotism and respect for veterans and the military in his community.
He worked tirelessly to expand the historic Corvallis Memorial Day Parade and helped establish a second parade honoring veterans on Veterans Day. He was the driving force behind the creation of U.S. and POW flag displays along Corvallis’ Main Street. Every year, he teaches flag etiquette to students in the community.
Mason’s mother, Margaret Mason, remembers the local American Legion post wasn’t doing well when her son returned home. Its members were getting older and younger veterans didn’t seem to be interested in joining.
“Doug always had a strong feeling about the American Legion,” she said. “He thought it was something he could do and he worked hard to build it back up.”
The names of the veterans in the community’s cemetery are read during a special ceremony on Memorial Day following the annual parade. Mason has made certain that all of the veterans’ names are on that list.
“I don’t know how many miles he’s walked in the Corvallis Cemetery to get every veteran's name on the roster, but it’s been a lot,” she said. “I think he knows that cemetery like the back of his hand.”
Margaret Mason said she was thrilled to watch her son receive the commendation and flag in front of so many that have meant so much to him over the years.
“I think he is so deserving of the honor,” she said. “It’s truly an honor.”
Gianforte told those gathered Monday at the Corvallis Fire Hall that he started the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation to honor men and women who served their country and then came back home to serve their communities.
Fellow American Legion member, Mike Slaughter, nominated Mason for the honor.
On Monday, Corvallis American Legion Post 91 member Pat Clover was on hand to ensure the ceremony went as planned.
“Doug is really well known in the Legion and veterans’ community,” Clover said. “He’s the brains behind the post in Corvallis. He’s a native son and knows everyone.
“When most people think of the Legion in Corvallis, they think of Doug,” he said.
Mason said it was humbling to stand up in front of a room filled with people who were his heroes as he grew up in Corvallis.
“There were so many guys that I looked up to there,” he said. “My Uncle Frank was there. When I was younger, he was in Vietnam. He was always my hero. When I was 12, I knew I was going into the Army.”
It was there that he learned how to lead by example.
Recently he offered this advice about managing people to one of his sons.
“I told him the first thing to know is that you don’t tell anyone to do anything that you’re not willing to do yourself,” Mason said. “That’s one of the first things they teach you in the military.
“I’ve found that you can always get a little more out of your community and out of yourself, if you're willing to give direction and then lead by example,” he said.
When Mason looks back at all that’s been accomplished by the Legion and local veterans since he’s returned home, he thinks that might be the reason why.
“I kind of live by that,” he said. “The people that I tend to be around kind of think the same way. When that happens, you can get a lot accomplished.”
2022 Corvallis Memorial Day Parade Registration For
Instructions:
1) Copy and Paste this form to your email compose page.
2) Fill out the parade registration form
3) Type: "Parade Registration," your name or organization's name in subject line
3) Email the completed form to: johnmowat7@gmail.com
This year's theme is:
"Treasuring Our Freedom!"
2) Fill out the parade registration form
3) Type: "Parade Registration," your name or organization's name in subject line
3) Email the completed form to: johnmowat7@gmail.com
This year's theme is:
"Treasuring Our Freedom!"
2022 Corvallis Memorial Day Parade
10:00 a.m., Monday, May 30th
Staging begins at 7:30 a.m.
PLEASE COMPLETE ALL SECTIONS
Name of entry / sponsoring organization:____________________________
Contact Name:_________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________
City, State:________________________________Zip:_________________
Phone:________________________________________________________
Email Address:_________________________________________________
INDICATE THE CATEGORY YOU WISH TO ENTER:
100 – Horse Drawn, 200 – Single Riders, 300 – Group Riders,
400 – Other Animals, 500 – Novelty (clowns & politicians),
600 – Clubs & Organizations, 700 – Antique Machines, 1000 – Vehicles
Please give a specific description of your entry, individual who is responsible for the entry, who will be signing release form, the approximate number of people involved, vehicles that will be used, etc…
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special announcement that you want mentioned as you pass the announcer:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
All entries must report to the registration booth between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the day of the parade to sign liability release and to get their parade number.
2019 Corvallis Post #91, The American Legion, Department of Montana, Inc. Scholarship
Here are the eligibility requirements of the scholarship:
- Child, spouse or member in good staying of Corvallis Post #91, The American Legion, Department of Montana, Inc.
- Child must be a High School senior, graduate, or registered as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or post secondary vocational or technical institute pursuing degree or certification completion.
- Child undergraduate student must not have reached 26 years of age by August 1 of year applying for scholarship.
- Child graduate student must not have reached 28 years of age by August 1 of year applying for scholarship.
- There is no age limit for a spouse or member as an undergraduate or graduate student.
Eligible Applicants please follow the below process:
1) Send email to Corvallis Post #91, The American Legion, Department of Montana, Inc, at corvallispost91@gmail.com stating your desire to apply for a scholarship.
2) The post will then send you an application via email.
3) Mail the completed application and all required documents to the post postmarked no later than May 20, 2018 (only applications and accompanying documents sent via mail to the post will be accepted; the post cannot receive applications and accompanying documents via email).
4) Those individuals awarded a scholarship will be notified in the last week of May.
5) Individuals can only receive this general scholarship once.
Monday, March 11, 2019
“Then
Jesus told his disciples,
‘If
any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and
follow me.’”
Matthew 16:24
Matthew 16:24
April 20, 2019
MARCH
FOR
JESUS CHRIST
We start at Lolo’s Set Free Church at
6:45 am and carry the Cross south to Angler’s
Roost south of Hamilton.
For
more information call the
Christian
Veterans of the Bitterroot – 369-5813
March for Jesus Christ Checkpoints North to South
Start
Point – 6:45 am – Set Free Church
Checkpoint
#1 – 7:45 am – Park & Ride South of Lolo
Checkpoint
#2 – 8:45 am – West Carlton Creek Road
Checkpoint
#3 – 9:45 am – Florence Town Pump
Checkpoint
#4 – 10:45 am – Larry Creek Loop Lane
Checkpoint
#5 – 11:45 am – Schearbrook Lane
Checkpoint
#6 – 12:45 pm – Genesee Drive
Checkpoint
#7 – 1:45 pm – Point of Interest north of Victor
Checkpoint
#8 – 2:45 pm – Victor Park
Checkpoint
#9 – 3:45 pm – Bear Creek Road
Checkpoint
#10 – 4:45 pm – Across 93 from Alpine Granite
Checkpoint
#11 – 5:45 pm – Veterans Bridge Fishing Access
Checkpoint
#12 – 6:45 pm – Opportunity Bank in Hamilton
Approximate
Time of Finish – 7:45 pm
Sunday, March 10, 2019
PLEASE SUPPORT MONTANA HOUSE BILL 0172.01
House Bill No. 172, will help establish more county veteran service offices throughout the state.
The county model is very accessible and user friendly for the veterans in Ravalli County.
We think that the veterans of Montana should have the option of using county offices.
If the goal is to help veterans, than as a state we should step into the 21st century and offer more choices for Montana veterans.
We would request that, if you have ever used the Valley Veterans Service Center and feel it is a good model to help veterans, that you travel to Helena on the 18th March and let your voice be heard. House Bill No. 172 goes in front of the Senate state administration committee at 3pm, Monday, March 18th in room 335 in the State Capital in Helena. Below is the bill. Please read it and support more choices for Montana veterans.
66th Legislature HB0172.01
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 172
2 INTRODUCED BY D. BEDEY
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ALLOWING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTY AND
5 MULTICOUNTY VETERANS' SERVICE OFFICES; PROVIDING FOR A STATE GRANT PROGRAM FOR
6 COUNTY VETERANS' SERVICE OFFICES; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTION
7 10-2-115, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
8
9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
10
11 Section 1. Section 10-2-115, MCA, is amended to read:
12 "10-2-115. County veterans' service officers County and multicounty veterans' service offices.
13 (1) A county may, with the advice of the board, provide for a county veterans' service officer office to assist
14 veterans and their families in filing benefit claims. If a county provides for a veterans' service officer under this
15 section, the officer must be trained, accredited, and supervised in accordance with the applicable provisions of
16 38 CFR 14.629. A county may fund the position as provided for in 15-10-425 or through other means provided
17 by law.
18 (2) The governing body of two or more counties may enter into a memorandum of understanding to
19 establish a multicounty veterans' service office that operates under the same guidelines as a single-county office.
20 (3) Veterans' service officers assigned to county veterans' service offices must be trained, accredited,
21 and supervised in accordance with applicable provisions of 38 CFR 14.629.
22 (4) A county may fund its veterans' service office as provided for in 15-10-425 or through other means
23 provided by law.
24 (5) The board shall:
25 (a) monitor the qualifications of county veterans' service officers; and
26 (b) ensure that the department of military affairs provides technical assistance to county veterans' service
27 offices whenever assistance is requested."
28
29 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Funding county veterans' service offices -- grant -- conditions and
30 reporting. (1) The board shall administer a grant program and award grants to county and multicounty veterans'
1 - Authorized Print Version - HB 172
66th Legislature HB0172.01
1 service offices from funding appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of this section.
2 (2) To receive a grant, a county or multicounty veterans' service office shall:
3 (a) have established county funding as provided for in 15-10-425;
4 (b) have established a physical office at an accessible location where veterans and their family members
5 may visit in person;
6 (c) provide for at least one veterans' service officer working a minimum of 1,000 hours annually;
7 (d) ensure that each county veterans' service officer meets the qualifications and requirements of
8 10-2-115; and
9 (e) ensure that all of the grant money received pursuant to this section is spent in support of veterans and
10 their family members.
11 (3) If the requirements of subsection (2) are met, a grant must be awarded:
12 (a) to a county veterans' service office established before [the effective date of this act];
13 (b) to a new county veterans' service office during the biennium immediately following the date it was
14 established; and
15 (c) each subsequent fiscal year a county veterans' service office continues to meet the requirements in
16 subsection (2).
17 (4) The amount of grant money a county veterans' service office receives is in proportion to the number
18 of veterans residing in the county or counties served by that office.
19 (5) A county veterans' service office that receives a grant shall report data and information to the
20 department at the end of the fiscal year in which a grant was dispersed. Reported data and information shall
21 encompass the following:
22 (a) disability benefit claims data and information, including but not limited to:
23 (i) the number of claim forms submitted by the county veterans' service office to the U.S. department of
24 veterans affairs; and
25 (ii) the number of notices of disagreement or appeals submitted through the county veterans' service
26 office to the U.S. department of veterans affairs;
27 (b) the number of medical enrollments submitted by the county veterans' service office to the U.S.
28 department of veterans affairs;
29 (c) the number of veterans' education enrollments submitted by the county veterans' office to the U.S.
30 department of veterans affairs;
- 2 - Authorized Print Version - HB 172
66th Legislature HB0172.01
1 (d) the number of county and state burial benefits processed by the county veterans' service office; and
2 (e) a description of any other ancillary services provided to county veterans, such as transportation
3 services, mental health services, homeless services, crisis intervention, and military records requests.
4
5 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated from the general fund to the
6 department of military affairs $130,000 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, for the purposes of [section 2].
7 (2) For each biennium beginning July 1, 2021, the department shall include in its base budget an amount
8 necessary to provide grants to all counties that have met the requirements established in [section 2(2)], taking
9 into consideration the population of veterans residing in these counties and the degree to which the county
10 veterans' service offices reduce the workload of state veterans' service offices.
11
12 NEW SECTION. Section 4. Codification instruction. [Section 2] is intended to be codified as an
13 integral part of Title 10, chapter 2, part 1, and the provisions of Title 10, chapter 2, part 1, apply to [section 2].
14
15 NEW SECTION. Section 5. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2019.
16 - END -
Bill Draft Number:LC2064 Current Bill Text:
Bill Type - Number:HB 172Short Title:Establish county veterans' service officesPrimary Sponsor:David Bedey (R) HD 86
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