The Albany County Veterans Services Bureau is on a mission: to register veterans. Officials are going from town to town to let veterans know that they are eligible for certain benefits if they register; and if they feel they don’t need the benefits, that they should still register to help the county’s bureau receive federal aid.

“The challenge we face...is identifying veterans that are eligible for it,” said Jim Ader, Veteran Service Officer I at the bureau. He said that the 2010 United States Census lists around 20,000 veterans living in Albany County; only 1,900 — less than a tenth — are currently registered with the bureau. The census estimates 16,684 veterans were living in the county between 2011 and 2015.

The issue with registering veterans, said Ader, is their pride prevents some from accepting government aid.

“I jokingly say that, no matter what branch of the service you were in, we all were issued one thing in common, and that’s a hard head,” he said.

He himself served in the United States Army between 1991 and 2014.

Ader has so far visited the towns of Westerlo, Rensselaerville, and New Scotland. This week he will visit Colonie, Guilderland, and Coeymans. He was going to visit the town of Knox, but had to reschedule due to the March 14 storm. The goal of the bureau is to visit every town in the county.

Speaking in these towns, Ader informs veterans that, even if they do not need the services, registering as a veteran can qualify the county to receive more federal money for veterans’ programs, which can go to places like the Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

For veterans who can’t travel to Albany, Ader has a solution.

“I will come up to them,” he said. “I’ll meet you at the town hall, the library, whatever.”

Services offered to veterans include disability compensation, health care, and education. Free health care is offered to veterans for five years after they have served in active duty, said Ader. Educational assistance is offered through scholarships and financial aid via the GI Bill. Other services include things like free hearing aids to eligible veterans; financial assistance to visually impaired veterans; property tax exemptions; and small-business loans.