Connecting Veterans: Houston event unites over 1,000 Veterans

In a remarkable display of community collaboration, more than 1,000 Veterans recently gathered at a special event in Houston to connect with essential resources, jobs and support. The event, called VetConnect, was a joint effort between the Michael E. DeBakey VA, Combined Arms and Texas Workforce Solutions. The day proved to be a resounding success in ensuring Veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned and so richly deserve.

Employers from throughout the Houston community and beyond were in attendance at the event, some even interviewing and hiring Veterans on the spot. Health care enrollment and eligibility staff from Houston VA greeted Veterans in the lobby of the event and registered them for health care. Houston VA regional benefits office staff were also there to assist Veterans with filing benefits claims.

"We hit it out of the park," said John Smith, Combined Arms regional manager and Marine Corps Veteran. "The goal of VetConnect was to connect Veterans with employment opportunities, job training programs and entrepreneurial resources while offering them VA health care enrollment and benefits, community resources and a lot more. It was incredible to see so many Veterans coming out and getting the help they need."

"VA was really on top of it."

Army Veteran Timothy Williamson, who deployed twice to the Middle East during his 12 years in the military, was on-site for VetConnect to check out the job opportunities. He was thrilled to find out he is now eligible for VA health care as a result of recent PACT Act enrollment changes. "I first applied for VA health care seven or eight years ago but was told I made too much money, so I wasn't eligible. Today I got help filing a benefits claim, enrolled in VA health care and even got my first appointment scheduled. VA was really on top of it," Williamson said.

Houston VA is committed to reaching out to and enrolling and caring for as many Veterans as possible. Jeremiah Jackson, Houston VA's acting associate director and whose mother served in the military, said he and many of his VA co-workers feel a special connection to the Veterans they serve.

"You can't underestimate the power of collaboration."

"Serving Veterans is my passion. It was an honor to meet so many Veterans at VetConnect and to know that our staff at Houston VA are ready and waiting to serve them. It is truly our honor and privilege to care for Veterans," Jackson said.

"VetConnect was a shining example of what can be achieved when organizations come together to support Veterans," said Smith. "You can't underestimate the power of collaboration. In Texas, there are so many Veteran and community groups that have an unwavering commitment to serving those who have served our nation. When we all work together, there is nothing we can't achieve."

Coast Guard Veteran Roger Dornaus also enrolled in VA health care for the first time at the event. Dornaus was in the Coast Guard and moved back to Texas to be near family.

"I got out of the military years ago, but I never signed up for VA. I know that sometimes there aren't very many of us Coast Guard Veterans around, but I'm very grateful to join VA," he said.

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