Service for veterans available at Westerlo Reformed Church
— Photo from the office of the Albany County Executive
Albany County Veterans Service Bureau Director Ken Secor and Veterans Service Officer Michael Good assist veterans on Tuesday at the Westerlo Reformed Church.
WESTERLO — Veterans will now be able to access Albany County services once a week at the Westerlo Reformed Church.
Representatives from the Albany County Veterans Service Bureau will be available on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church to assist military veterans in applying for benefits, filing claims, and obtaining documents. Services began this week.
“Any benefits that a veteran is entitled to, they’re going to assist with,” said Lisa DeGroff.
DeGroff, the chairwoman of Westerlo’s Republican Party and a member of the town’s Hilltown Heroes Committee, said the idea came about a month ago following discussions among fellow Republicans Matthew Kryzak, Amie Burnside, Wendy Shelburne, and Dorothy Verch, who are all running for town offices. But DeGroff said the idea is not politically motivated.
“They don’t have your political party on your dog tags,” she noted.
She said that they contacted the county as well as Westerlo Reformed Church Pastor Christine Allen, who she said has many veterans in her parish.
The church is located at 564 Route 143 in Westerlo; no appointments are necessary.
Veterans may also visit the senior center at 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., where various county services are available.
