Aug. 18, 2010
 
Rep. Rahall Holding Meeting with Veterans, Military Aug. 31 at American Legion
 
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
 
Beckley, WV (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.) announced today he will host a series of meetings in southern West Virginia for veterans, military members and their families – August 31st in Huntington; September 1st in Bluefield; and, September 2nd in Logan – to get feedback about, gauge success of, and seek suggestions on various improvements and enhancements to programs Congress has made.
 
“I have worked with veterans, their families and their service organizations and in the past few years, we have made tremendous progress achieving historic gains for veterans’ programs,” said Rahall. “I want to make sure the gains we are claiming in Washington are working on the ground here in West Virginia for our vets and their families. I am assembling an ‘A’ list of veterans and service personnel resource representatives to be on hand, as well.”
 
Rep. Rahall’s meetings will be:
 
Tuesday, August 31st; 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 16; 1421 6th Avenue; Huntington, W.Va.
 
Wednesday, September 1st; 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the Brushfork Armory; 2915 Old Bramwell Road; Bluefield, W.Va.
 
Thursday, September 2nd; 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the Chief Logan State Park Conference Center, Corridor G (U.S. 119 South); Logan, W.Va.
 
“Our state ranks in the top percentage of all Americans who have donned a uniform to serve in our nation’s armed forces,” said Rahall. “There are over 170,000 veterans statewide—nearly 52,000 in southern West Virginia alone, and more than 10,000 West Virginians currently serving in our military. This is a service record that makes every Mountaineer proud. But, for those who have returned home from deployment – who are trying to put their life and families back on track – who have been plunged into a highly competitive marketplace – are struggling with life in our home towns. Coming together, matching family needs with resources, can make a big difference in a family’s future.”
 
Rep. Rahall has invited the following agencies to participate in the three-stop “listening tour”: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Benefits Processing and Veterans Outreach Team; Beckley VA Medical Center; Huntington VA Medical Center; Small Business Administration (SBA); U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Warrior Care Initiative; U.S. Army, Chief of the Army Reserve; U.S. Army Family Outreach and Support Programs; West Virginia National Guard; West Virginia Department of Higher Education; and Employer Support for Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
 
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Walter “Woody” Woodring—a Congressional Fellow who joined Rep. Rahall’s Washington office from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Department of the Army, G-1, has been focusing on military and veterans affairs in southern West Virginia for the Congressman. LTC Woodring succeeds LTC John Paul Cook, who served the Congressman in a similar capacity, and continues to assist Rep. Rahall with finding solutions to improve life for active, reserve, National Guardsmen, retired and veteran military members in southern West Virginia. Additionally, through the Wounded Warrior Program, Rep. Rahall has an employment opportunity in his Congressional Office in Bluefield. Interested applicants must meet Wounded Warrior program criteria. All applicants interested in the Wounded Warrior Program can see vacancies and application instructions on the webpage: www.cao.house.gov and details on Rep. Rahall’s job posting is available at http://www.cao.house.gov/wwp-fellowships.shtml.