Veterans

Honoring and Caring for Our Veterans

Representing a district that is home to so many veterans of our armed forces and their families, I am especially committed to making sure their service is honored and they are treated with the respect and care they have earned. According to census figures, there are over 740,000 veterans living in North Carolina -- with 149,000 of those in counties that comprise the Second District. I appreciate the contributions and sacrifices made by each and every veteran and service family. On this page and on the pages linked below you will find general information about programs available for veterans and their families.

Congresswoman Ellmers presenting Mr. W. Heath Hinson of Nashville, NC with his military service awards on June 29, 2011. Mr. Hinson waited 65 years to receive the decorations listed on his discharge form.

If You Need Assistance

If you are a current service member, veteran, or family member of someone who served and have encountered a problem with your disability compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, health care education, burial or survivor benefits, my office may be able to assist you. Please contact my District office in Dunn by phone at 910/230-1910 to discuss your issue with a member of my staff and, if necessary, to provide information needed to begin the casework process.

If you are a veteran in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line can connect you with qualified VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is also available.

Standing up for Veterans

I’ve co-sponsored and voted for numerous pieces of legislation to honor and provide for our veterans, including HR 743 Hire a Hero Act, HR 1297 Ensuring Pay for our Military Act, HR 1407 Veterans' Cost-of-Living Compensation Adjustment Act of 2011, HR 1832 Servicemembers' Telemedicine and E-Health Portability Act of 2011 and HR 2070 WWII Memorial Prayer Act of 2011. If you have any questions about legislation relating to veterans, please contact my Washington office at 202/225-4531.

Congresswoman Ellmers at Recruit-A-Vet Job Fair, July 29, 2013

VA Benefits

The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs provides a wide range of benefits including, Disability, Education and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Guaranty, Dependant and Survivor Benefits, Medical Treatment, Life Insurance and Burial Benefits. VA Benefits in Brief is a printable document that provides an at-a-glance description of VA benefits, as well as contact phone numbers and locations.

You may be eligible for VA benefits if you are a:

Veteran, Veteran's dependent

Surviving spouse, child or parent of a deceased Veteran

Uniformed service member

Present or former reservist or National Guard member

Visit www.va.gov for more details. You can also reach the VA by phone at: 1-800-827-1000.

State and Local Services.

The North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs operates many housing, employment, education and advocacy programs for veterans. NCVA also maintains a lists of county veteran service offices and local service organizations in North Carolina.

Military Records and Medals

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Most records can be found online through the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

National Personnel Records Center

Military Personnel Records

9700 Page Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Telephone: 314-801-0800

E-mail: MPR.center@nara.gov

Status Check: mpr.status@nara.gov

Medals and awards can also be replaced. Generally, there is no charge for medal or award replacements. The length of time to receive a response or your medals and awards varies depending upon the branch of service sending the medals.

Memorial Honors

My office can provide a Congressional Commendation in honor of those who have served. Additionally, many veterans are eligible for a number of benefits and honors upon their deaths. The Department of Defense provides military funeral honors including the presentation of the United States flag for eligible veterans. Veterans may also qualify for assistance with the cost of burial or for gravesites within the nation’s cemeteries. If you would like to make advance arrangements or arrangements upon the death of a loved one, please visit www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/ or call 1-800-827-1000. To locate the gravesite of a veteran buried in a national cemetery, the gravesite can be found at gravelocator.cem.va.gov/.