A first of its kind event will be held next month at the Frewsburg American Legion.

In an effort to educate the families of all veterans concerning benefits available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) has created a program focused on bringing awareness to what is available to the spouse, widow, widower and families of all veterans.

Federal benefits are constant for everyone; however, state-funded and local benefits can vary. With that in mind, the David L. Woodburn Chapter 978 of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and its AVVA members will present a spouses and survivors town hall meeting June 1 from 10 a.m. until noon at the American Legion Post No. 556 in Frewsburg, 9 Meadow Lane, to address federal, state and locally available programs.

“This is for the spouses and the survivors of veterans,” said Robert Lewis, VVA chapter president and New York VVA State Council chaplain. “We don’t want to forget the spouses and the survivors. They play a large part in the lives of our veterans.”

Topics to be covered include accrued benefits; dependency and indemnity compensation; service disabled veterans insurance; survivors pension benefits; education and training assistance; veterans affairs burial allowances; crisis contact information; defense enrollment eligibility reporting system registration; and state and local benefits and assistance.

“(Spouses and survivors) need to be aware of the steps necessary to secure benefits for themselves and their families,” Lewis said. “There are time limits and forms to fill out. (The town hall) will provide a good broad knowledge of what you need to do.”

Other town hall discussions will include information about private physicians or service related health concerns. Presenters will include our County Executive George Borrello, County Veterans Service Director Greg Carlson, Office of the Aging representatives, Blue Star Mothers representative, UCAN Mission official, Meals On Wheels and other veteran related local organizations.

Admission is free and all veterans, spouses and survivors /family are invited to attend.

For more information contact Lewis at 569-2115.