Alabama closing Veterans Service Offices

Ala. veterans' services offices closing
Updated: Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Bob Johnson

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Seventeen veterans' service offices will close around the state, meaning ex-soldiers in some counties will have to travel to receive benefits or other assistance. The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs says it closed the offices because of severe funding cuts to agencies funded by the state General Fund budget.

Spokesman Robert Horton said Tuesday that no employees will lose jobs because manpower will be consolidated in the other offices. The purpose of the offices is to help eligible veterans apply for and receive claims, Horton said. He said if the outlook of the General Fund improves, some offices may reopen. Horton said the workload facing the veterans' offices is increasing because of so many soldiers retuning from Iraq and Afghanistan and the aging population of those who served in Vietnam, Korea and World War II.

The offices will be closed effective June 1. Republican State Rep. Duwayne Bridges of Valley is a U.S Marine veteran. One of the offices scheduled to close is in Lanett in Chambers County in his district. "I hope as the economy turns around we'll be able to reopen that office," Bridges said. read more here