The Pierce County Marine Veterans (PCMARVETS) is a new, nonprofit organization created in partnership with American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 1 in Tacoma to assist veterans in filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"The program allows us to reach veterans who have no means of getting to an office to file a claim," said George Hight, vice-chairman of PCMARVETS. "If they can't get to the VA, we go to them."

A certified veteran service officer (VSO) will travel to outlying areas within Pierce County in a self-contained mobile office to provide service.

"Freshly brewed coffee, a place to sit and a copy of The Ranger newspaper will be provided while you wait," said Kelley Byers, PCMARVETS CEO.

"Our (VSO) has more than five years of claims filing experience with the VA," he said. "She's the same person that'll file your claims with the VA if you come to the AMVETS office. In fact, all files and confidential information and privacy of records are ensured because they're secured in the same manner as if you applied at the office. "

A generous $125,000 grant by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians funds the program, which caters to all veterans regardless of the branch of service. Because the program is days old, the mobile office has only been to Roy and Buckley, but will soon be visiting Key Center and the city of Home, followed by the city of Orting.

"Veterans have more than 5,000 different kinds of benefits they're eligible for," said Leland Cooper, AMVETS State service director. "Most of them have no idea what they qualify for if they don't file."

According to Byers, veterans who have served 180 days or more only need Form DD214 and a photo identification to get started.

"Veterans are eligible for fishing and hunting licenses, passes to national parks, special veteran license plates, and so much more."

Washington state VA benefits range from educational and employment preferences to healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, loans, life-insurance and survivor benefits. Other important documents needed to apply for benefits include (as needed) a marriage license, divorce decree, birth certificates of children and adoption papers.

"We want to ensure veterans get what they deserve," said Hight, "so that vets today aren't treated the way they were before."

The two objectives of PCMARVETS are to care for veterans and for children through the Marine Corps League Pierce County Detachment 504 Toys for Tots program. It's also partnering with Pierce County Crime Stoppers to run a new program called Charlie's Dinosaur - a program that provides new clothing, school supplies and other basic essentials for abused children placed in foster care. The organization will also work with the Wounded Warrior Program, JBLM's Warrior Transition Battalion, Boy Scouts, The Young Marines Program and local JROTC programs, among others. 

For more information on the program, and for schedules and dates please visit www.pcmarvets.com or call the VSO at (253) 468-4724 or Hight at (253) 283-1712 and Byers at (253) 283-2046.