Tri-County Heroes Fair in Merrill to offer assistance to veterans

MERRILL – Lincoln County this month will host an event aiming to provide veterans with comprehensive assistance in navigating the often complex process of applying for benefits and services.

The Tri-County Heroes Fair will be held at the Northwoods Veterans Post, 601 Johnson St., Merrill, on Wednesday, April 23 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The event is a collaborative effort between the Tomah VA Medical Center and the Lincoln, Price and Taylor County Veterans Service Offices.

A release from the Lincoln County Veterans Service Office (LCVSO) said attendees will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from about 20 to 25 organizations, each specializing in different areas of veteran support.

These include the following:

• Veterans Service Officers: Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Matthew Pultz and Deputy VSO Tiffany Daigle will be available to offer personalized guidance on a wide range of benefits and services. Due to their participation in the event, the Lincoln County Veterans Office at 801 N. Sales St., Merrill, will be closed on the day of the event.
• Patriot K9s: This organization will provide detailed information about their service dog training programs and the ways in which service dogs can support veterans with PTSD, mobility issues and other disabilities.
• Northwoods National Cemetery: Bryon Gleisner, a representative from the cemetery, will be present to discuss burial benefits, eligibility requirements and the process of applying for interment.
• NTC Certifying Official: TouXoua Yang will be available to assist veterans with the National Training Center (NTC)'s certification process, which can open doors to various employment and training opportunities.
• Department of Workforce Development (DWD): Nancy Brown and other DWD representatives will provide information about the range of employment services, training programs and job search assistance available to veterans.
• WDVA Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program: Debbie Meye will discuss the comprehensive programs and services offered by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), including mental health support, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance and other forms of support.

In addition to these organizations, representatives from other veteran-focused organizations and service providers are expected to be present.

“Veterans are encouraged to attend and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to connect with resources and support,” LCVSO said.

For further information, visit www.facebook.com/LCVets/ and www.facebook.com/TomahVAMC2/, which will provide the most up-to-date details about the event, including any additional participating organizations or changes to the schedule.