It is my privilege to provide with a brief report of the 2010 activities of the Gainesville Veterans Service Office of the State Department of Veterans Service. This office services the counties of Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin counties with an estimated veteran population of 74,383.

It has been a very busy and exciting year in that we had over 15,313 veteran-related contacts. The necessity of personal assistance to eligible beneficiaries filing and pursuing claims with The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs results from the legal principle that no veterans' benefits are awarded automatically. All benefits to which a veteran may be entitled must be applied for.

Our departments provides free representation and advice to beneficiaries regarding all state and federal veterans' benefits. This related in 2010 into direct payments in the amount of $149,284,000 to the veterans in our five-county area, dollars that the veterans pour back into the local economy.

Our veterans gave much in the defense of out great nation and we must all continue to work together to make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten. I look forward to continuing this partnership in 2011 and beyond.

Additional information or assistance may be obtained by calling The Gainesville Veterans Service Office at 770-531-6060.

Harry L. Evans
Senior Veteran's Field Service Officer, Gainesville Veterans Service Office