“ It’s interesting. It’s rewarding. It’s fun. ” Veterans’ service officer Richard McKenzie
Richard McKenzie has made some new friends since he took over as Cook County’s veterans’ services officer.
“It’s interesting. It’s rewarding. It’s fun,” he told the county board Tuesday, October 27, 2009. But it can also be a bit frustrating.
The paperwork involved in helping a veteran get set up with services can be “very overwhelming,” McKenzie said. The average time for a decision to be made is 80-90 days, and sometimes that’s only to find out that more documentation is needed.
Common requests from veterans and their families are for health care, disability compensation, veteran’s home admission, online prescription refills, and grave markers. On behalf of the program he is applying for a grant for a computerized information management system.
McKenzie likes to meet in person with veterans and their families. He has especially enjoyed becoming friends with some of the elderly vets who live alone, often calling them up to check on them and make sure they’re okay.
“I enjoy doing it,” he said.
Veterans interested in finding out about benefits and services can contact McKenzie by calling (218) 370-9726, emailing veteran.services@ co.cook.mn.us, or writing VSO Richard McKenzie, PO Box 246, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Leave a Reply