Jill Schramm/MDN John Crosby is the Veteran Service officer for Ward County. County and tribal Veterans Service offices in North Dakota are the local resources for assistance to veterans in obtaining federal and state veterans’ benefits.

County and tribal Veterans Service offices are the local resources for assistance to veterans in obtaining federal and state veterans’ benefits. They provide the expertise and advocacy that veterans need to optimize access to benefit programs, according to North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs information.

Services available at county and tribal Veterans Service offices are free to veterans and their families.

County and tribal Veterans Service officers “handle inquiries and applications regarding veterans’ health care, compensation, pension, long-term care and other benefits for veterans of all ages. Burial benefit assistance is provided to the survivors of veterans. Widows and widowers of veterans are eligible for many state benefits, and in limited cases, federal benefits,” according to the information.

Most of the programs veterans use are offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.

The county and tribal Veterans Service officers are in contact with these agencies on a regular basis and also work with the National Service officers of various veterans’ organizations when filing VA benefit claims.

The county Veterans Service officers work with several other county, state, and federal government agencies that also provide resources or assistance to veterans.

County Veterans Service officers and staff are employees of their respective counties, according to the information. Each county is required by law to appoint and pay the expenses of a Veterans Service officer as provided by state laws and funding is provided by county property tax according to state laws.

Tribal Veterans Service officers are in contact with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs on a regular basis. They also work with the National Service officers of various veterans’ organizations when filing VA benefit claims. Tribal Veterans Service officers also work with several other tribal, state and federal government agencies that also provide resources or assistance to veterans.

The Tribal Veterans Service officers and staff are employees of their respective tribes.

The services available at county and tribal Veterans Service offices are free to veterans and their families.

Minot and area Veterans Service offices, location and veterans service officers are as follows:

– Benson County, Minnewaukan, Stacy Twete.

– Bottineau County, Bottineau, Dwight Nahinurk.

– Burke County, Bowbells, Zeke Isakson.

– Divide County, Crosby, Roman Fettig.

– Dunn County, Manning, Carolyn Benz.

– Eddy County, New Rockford, Kathy Steinbach.

– Foster County, Carrington, Corean Swart.

– McHenry County, Towner, Jim Davenport.

– McKenzie County, Watford City, Jerry Samuelson.

– McLean County, Washburn, Todd Schreiner.

– Mercer County, Stanton, Ronald Crowley.

– Mountrail County, Stanley, Lisa Lapica.

– Pierce County, Rugby, Ron Montonye.

– Ramsey County, Devils Lake, Stacy Twete.

– Renville County, Mohall, Lynn Price.

– Rolette County, Rolla, Todd Poitra.

– Sheridan County, Denhoff, James Paulus.

– Towner County, Cando, Kathy Benson.

– Ward County, Minot, John Crosby.

– Wells County, Harvey, Dean Johnson.

– Williams County, Williston, Grant Carns.

Area Tribal Veterans Service offices, location and veterans service officers are as follows:

– Fort Berthold/Three Affiliated Tribes, New Town: Bill Hale Jr., Thomas Crows Heart Sr. and Marva Pretends Eagle.

– Spirit Lake Nation, Fort Totten, Marty Alex.

– Turtle Mountain, Belcourt, Richard Marcellais.

Source: N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs

For more information visit the N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs website at nd.gov/veterans.