Ashton Hamilton had never sought assistance, health care or benefits from VA… that is, until he attended VetFest.
The Louisiana native served in the Air Force from 2008 to 2010, before a medical discharge ended her career prematurely. Now residing in Fort Worth, Hamilton was persuaded by her Veteran stepfather to visit a VA facility and see what services she had earned.
It took a colorful flyer arriving in her email inbox from North Texas VA advertising a VA Summer VetFest mere miles from her home to bring the family advice to fruition.
“I never thought I was a Veteran, as I never deployed, so I never pursued getting anything from VA. Being invited to this VetFest was just what I needed to actually ask VA if I was eligible for health care and benefits,” she shared.
Hamilton was one of 1,200 Veterans, family members and caregivers who spent a warm Saturday in Fort Worth securing information from VHA, NCA, Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) and 31 North Texas Veteran-centric organizations. In addition, 375 Veterans met one-on-one with VBA representatives from the Waco Regional Office to process intent to file actions and check the statuses of new and existing disability and benefit claims.
Sitting down with Veterans is personally gratifying
“Our team normally helps Veterans from behind a computer screen or on the phone, so being able to sit down with each of them to answer questions and start their VBA experience is personally gratifying for everyone,” said Carmen Massey of Waco’s VBA Regional Office.
From PACT Act and COMPACT Act, health care enrollment eligibility, whole health options, toxic exposure screenings, battlefield acupuncture and fun activities like a climbing wall, gaming truck and an obstacle course for children, VetFest attendees enjoyed a fun, family-friendly educational event.
“Our goal was to reach as many of the North Texas Veterans who aren’t currently using VA health care and invite them to an event where they would be immersed in VA and community resources and options,” said Andrea Lewis, VetFest event coordinator and Veteran outreach specialist. “We definitely succeeded in bringing what VA offers our Veterans to those in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.”
Hamilton was able to enroll in VA health care, on site. “I’m glad I came out to the VetFest. This event was just what I needed to start using the VA benefits I didn’t know I had earned.”
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I being reading alot these VA Veterans and with benefits. My daughter and my son for some reason cut out from my VA benefits. I thought when your kids go to college they still get cover until age 22 23 or 24. My son is 23 years old just graduated college and my daughter is 17 years old. Am I wrong or right and who should I talk to?
Norman,
My son just graduated from college and he was also cut from my VA benefits and my TRICARE medical insurance. Now, if he had applied to graduate school to get his master’s degree and even a doctorate, he could potentially remain eligible for my medical insurance and my VA benefits until he is 26 years old, but remember these are all Federal, tax-payer funded benefits.
Think about it this way, my son is 22 with a college degree, if he wants these Federal benefits that you and I earned through our service, then he could have taken a commission, or he can go today, enlist and get those benefits.
It may seem harsh because as parents we want to provide for our children, but once they graduate from high school and don’t go to college or they graduate from college, they are adults capable of carrying wearing the uniform.
Now, if you daughter is 17 and hasn’t graduated from high school, I do not know why she came off. If she has graduated and is going to college, then you can call the VA and let them know. They will want proof that she is attending college.
There will be a VET FEST in Philadelphia on June 26, 2024. It will be held at City Hall from 12noon to 3:30pm.
I wish the VA in the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, Harlingen,Texas would have an event like Vet fest.