As we approach Memorial Day, we find ourselves amidst a moment of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance. For many, it’s a long weekend filled with barbecues and beach trips, but for those of us who have served, and for the families who have lost loved ones in service to our country, it holds a deeper significance—a solemn opportunity to honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
While Memorial Day is a time of remembrance, our commitment to those who have served extends far beyond this single day. It underscores the ongoing duty we have to support those who have served and continue to serve.
As the Nevada County Veterans Service Officer and a Marine, it’s my privilege to advocate for and provide essential services to our local veterans throughout the year. I’m honored that I can do even more this year to help my fellow veterans as I have been elected president of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers. My priorities in both roles include reducing the number of homeless veterans and reducing the number of veterans committing suicide.
Otherwise, the key roles of our County office is to ensure that veterans and their families have access to the benefits and resources they’ve earned through their service. The federal benefits we can assist with include disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, health care, education benefits and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
Our office can also provide information on many state benefits that are available to veterans and their dependents. The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) offers a college fee waiver, home loans, business license tax and fee waiver, fishing and hunting licenses, license plates, motor vehicle registration fee waiver, property tax exemptions, as well as state park and recreation passes.
The college fee waiver is a wonderful benefit that waives mandatory system-wide tuition fees at any California community college, California State University or University of California campus for eligible dependents of veterans. The veteran must be receiving service-connected compensation from 0 to 100% and receive a discharge that was under honorable conditions. Contact our office if you have questions.
We can also help veterans to apply to get a veteran designation added to the front of their California driver’s license or ID card. This can be used to qualify for certain benefits without having to produce a Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214).  Misplaced your DD-214? You can request a copy by filling out a form on our website, www.NevadaCountyCa.gov/VSO.
Overall, we strive to be a comprehensive support system for veterans navigating the complexities of post-service life.
On this day, our office strives to not only remember the fallen, but recommit ourselves to serving those who have served us. We try to honor their sacrifice by ensuring that they receive the care, support, and respect they deserve each and every day.
In the spirit of Memorial Day, let’s all try make every day a day of remembrance and gratitude for the brave men and women who are serving our country. One simple thing you can do is join people across the country in wearing something RED on Fridays to Remember Everyone Deployed. Then post a photo on your social media. Troops overseas so appreciate seeing this strong support from people at home.
And we can help each other strive to never forget that our duty to them extends far beyond this one day—it is a lifelong commitment that we uphold with pride and dedication.
The Nevada County Veterans Service Office is at 988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call 530-273-3396 or visit www.NevadaCountyCa.gov/VSO for more information or to schedule an appointment. Follow County of Nevada, Veterans Service Office on Facebook for the latest updates.