Hunterdon County Veterans Service officer attends NACVSO conference in Washington, D.C.
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Veteran Services Officer, Rich Booth, recently attended the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) Leadership Conference, in Washington, D.C. from Feb. 3 through Feb. 7.
The NACVSO covered several timely issues for County VSO’s from across the country, who are tasked with helping veterans navigate the Veterans Administration among other agencies and departments to obtain the needed benefits they have rightfully earned.
Commissioner John Lanza, who serves as the co-liaison of Veterans Affairs for the County shared, “I am proud of VSO, Rich Booth for representing Hunterdon County at the NACSVO Conference, and for his on-going work helping veterans navigate VA policies and programs, which can often be difficult and stressful to understand.”
NACVSO exists to train & educate County VSOs and veteran advocates in the preparation, submission, and representation of claims with the Department of Veteran Affairs. The group also passionately advocates for America’s veterans and their families.
An important priority for NACVSO is the passage of H.R. 1139 / Senate Bill 740, the GUARD VA Benefits Act which would protect veterans from unreasonable fees.
Veterans face enough challenges without the added burden of unreasonable fees when seeking assistance with service-connected disability claims. The GUARD VA Benefits Act aims to impose criminal penalties on those who seek to collect exorbitant or unauthorized fees related to disability claims for benefits.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representative Chris Pappas from New Hampshire and was cosponsored by Congressman Tom Kean.
Commissioner Lanza said, “I wish to thank Mr. Booth for his tireless efforts on behalf of our veteran’s community and for his continued advocacy for legislation such as The GUARD VA Benefits Act.”
Hunterdon County veterans needing assistance with navigating veterans’ issues should contact VSO Rich Booth at 908-788-1361 or email rbooth@co.hunterdon.nj.us.
