The Jamestown office of the Chautauqua County Veterans Service Agency sits on 610 W. Third St. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

Last year, Greg Carlson spoke at a Lake View Cemetery ceremony following the Jamestown Memorial Day Parade and called on residents to reflect on the sacrifices veterans make daily for people’s freedoms.

As Memorial Day comes around again, he wants veterans to know that the Chautauqua County Veterans Service Agency has proven to be more accessible for a disproportionately large population of veterans that call the Southern Tier their home.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Carlson had desired a logical transition into civilian life after his 20 years of military service. When a position opened up in 2016 for director of the Service Agency, Carlson knew his fresh calling had found him.

“Our job is to advocate for county veterans,” Carlson said.

In his capacity as director, Carlson oversees the Jamestown and Dunkirk offices and the Falconer peer-to-peer program. He uses VA health care and advocates for many of the benefits he uses as well.

From offsetting medical costs to offering disability compensation, Carlson said the normal options a VA provides are there, with what he hopes are glowing reviews for both offices.

He remarked that about 7% of the national population consists of veterans, and that the population is dwindling since military service has become more of a career after the end of the draft. In Chautauqua County, about 11-12% of the population are veterans.

“Part of that is because we also have an older population,” Carlson said.

Jamestown’s office includes Carrie Finnerty, operations assistant, who organizes veterans’ burials, making sure they are remembered for their service beyond their dying breaths. Cindy Reidy, peer-to-peer program coordinator, ensures veterans have an informal program through which to relate to other veterans and share in similar interests, from hiking to Bible study.

“It’s really designed for veterans who want to meet with other veterans who may have similar interests or struggles,” Carlson said. “You can still have some of that camaraderie.”

He said the peer-to-peer program can help anyone from disabled veterans to spouses of veterans. Equestrian programs and dog-training activities also help to provide social therapy for veterans.

Carlson said that all 20 counties that participate in the Dwyer Program in New York have different methods and programs for their local servicemen and women.

Carlson said his office can easily serve veterans from adjoining Cattaraugus and Warren counties too. The majority of his job equates to “trying to do right by vets” in Chautauqua County, he said. He highlighted the sense of pride he and his office staff feel in assisting veterans financially and emotionally.

“Chautauqua County is a really good place to be a veteran,” Carlson said.

He mentioned this not just because the local area has two offices – and three counting Warren County’s in Russell, Pa., a resource he said many south county residents use – but also because the rural culture lends itself to massive respect for the veteran population.

“Generally speaking, Chautauqua County is a very patriotic area,” Carlson said. “Veterans are well-regarded in Chautauqua County.”

For those interested in applying for VA benefits or becoming a member of the county’s peer-to-peer program, the Service Agency can be contacted at 661-8255.

Follow Eric Zavinski at twitter.com/EZavinski