Are you a veteran who needs help? Here are the resources around Binghamton, Broome County

In 1865 Abraham Lincoln said in his second Inaugural address: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.” This is the Veterans Administration (VA) Mission Statement.

How is Abraham Lincoln’s promise fulfilled? VA provides health care at 1,243 facilities. This includes 170 VA Medical Centers and 1,074 Outpatient Clinics. Each year, 9 million veterans take advantage of the largest integrated health care system in the country. Each VA Medical Center has at least one patient advocate who ensures a veteran obtains the absolute best care and guidance.

Veterans in Broome County often ask to whom should they contact concerning specific questions related to their benefits. The Broome County Veterans Service Agency located in the Broome County Building, 5th floor, 60 Hawley St., Binghamton, is their answer. Brian J. Vojtisek is the Director. This agency supports over 13,000 veterans and their families as well as active-duty servicemen and women.

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The Veterans Service Agency also assists in applying for certification of military documents (DD214), replacement of service records, death pension, insurance benefits, memorial flags, military funerals and death gratuity pay.

Mr. Lincoln would be very pleased that homeless veterans can call the National Call Center of Homeless Veterans (877-424-3838). The Call Center is open 24/7 and the call is free and confidential.

“Honest Abe” would be especially proud of the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford. This 242-bed facility is located in Chenango County about 30 miles north of Binghamton. The Veterans Home is a state-of-the-art skilled nursing facility that provides residential, nursing and rehabilitative care for elderly and chronically ill veterans. It has a newly equipped Rehabilitation Department which has physical and occupational therapists as well as a speech-language pathologist who provide for long- and short-term care. The Recreational and Information Systems staff assist veterans who wish to surf the internet, set up e-mail accounts or learn to use the computer.

Mr. Lincoln’s words “to care for him who shall have borne the battle …” is finalized when a veteran is laid to rest. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains 155 National Cemeteries in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Burial is free. Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act mandates that every eligible veteran shall receive a military honors ceremony to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps.

President Lincoln can rest in peace.

Sullivan is a Binghamton resident.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: VA, other services help veterans in Broome County, Binghamton