Veterans Affairs
The Susquehanna County Veterans affairs office proudly serves the Veterans of our County and their families.
Anyone with questions about the vast array of benefits available is encouraged to contact the County VA office, and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide assistance. The office is located in the County Courthouse at 31 Lake Ave. Montrose, Pa. and the office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. except for scheduled holidays or required Certified Veterans Services Officer (VSO) training.
Individuals may also find complete information on veteran's federal benefits by visiting the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.va.gov and state benefits at www.dmva.pa.gov/veterans/pages
Veterans in crisis or contemplating suicide may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 option 1 or text at 838255 for help
Finally to all our veterans, “thank you for your service” we look forward to serving you.
Veterans Corner
The Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office writes an article once each month that is published in the “Weekender”. These articles called “Veterans Corner” provide information related to veteran’s issues and benefits. The articles are published once per month and can be found in one of the editions of the weekender which is distributed each Friday of the month. The weekender has a wide distribution in Susquehanna County. For your convenience we also make the articles available here on the County website.
Anyone with any questions about the benefits available to Veterans and their family members can call the Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs Office at (570) 278-5955.
VETERANS CORNER
VETERANS CORNER
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer
Memorial Day is Monday May 26th this year. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day following the Civil War. Memorial Day was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. The modern proclamation calls on Americans "to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace."(cem.va.gov)
The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs recognizes that approximately 25 places claim to have originated the holiday. Decoration Day only recognized fallen soldiers of the Civil War until World War I. The name "Memorial Day", gradually became more common than "Decoration Day" after World War II, but was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. (va.gov)
On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day. In December 2000, Congress passed a law requiring Americans to pause at 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day to remember and honor the fallen. (Wikipedia)
This year Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs plans to distribute approximately 10,000 flags to local Veterans organizations and cemeteries to be placed in honor, at every Susquehanna County Veteran’s grave. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Many elected county officials will be participating in the numerous Memorial Day Observances honoring our fallen brave throughout the county.
On Sunday May 25th there is a parade in Thompson at 1:00 pm.
All other parades are on Monday, May 26th. Montrose parade line up at 9:30 am starts in vicinity of Tom Kerr’s garage/McDonalds. The Montrose parade starts at 10:00 am and ends at Memorial Green where there will be a memorial service, with dedications to the fallen from various organizations. This is immediately followed by brief memorial services at the small memorial to the left of the courthouse as viewed from Public Avenue, the Catholic Cemetery, and the Montrose Cemetery.
The other May 26th Memorial Day parades are at:
Hallstead 9:00 am-Hallstead American Legion.
New Milford 10:00 am mid-town park.
Susquehanna 11:00 am-line up at 10:30 am.
Great Bend 11:00am- Great Bend VFW.
Forest City starts at North Main St. near D. G.’s line up at 10:00 am-parade at 10:30 am followed by a service at William Penn Apartment’s lawn (Dough Boy Memorial).
On this solemn holiday, we express our gratitude for the brave men and women who have died protecting this great nation.
"Home of the free, because of the brave." — Unknown
"May we never forget freedom isn't free." — Unknown
"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." — Unknown
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived." — George S. Patton
Upcoming Veteran events:
Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every first Monday of Month at 5:30 PM. Next meeting is June 2nd at 5:30PM.
Vietnam Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every 1st and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM. Next meetings are June 2nd and 16th at 10:30AM.
Veterans Affairs office is participating in the Mental Health and Wellness Resource Fair hosted by The Susquehanna County Suicide Awareness Initiative, on May 16th at 4pm on the Susquehanna County Green near the Montrose Courthouse Complex. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the refreshments, entertainment, games and more.
Veterans Assembly on the Green -In the spirit of the 18th and 19th Century tradition of Veterans traveling to the Green adjacent to the Courthouse in Montrose to receive their federal service pension payments, the AMERICA250PA Committee of Susquehanna County invites all Veteran residents of Susquehanna County to the Green on June 14, 2025, at 2 p.m., to be recognized for their service. This event is intended to help build up to the celebration of the Semi quincentennial of the United States in 2026. Judge Legg will lead the ceremony, with a reception at Historical Society following.
If you are a resident of Susquehanna County and a U.S. Military Veteran, we invite you to RSVP the following information by June 6, 2025, to tourism@visitsusqco.com or mail to: Susquehanna County Promotion and Tourism Agency, PO Box 218, Montrose, PA 18801 or call 570-278-6614. Please include: Veteran’s Name, Rank at Discharge, Branch of Service, Period of Service, and Home Record in your response.
Fourth of July Parade Committee is looking for WW II Veterans to be recognized in the 4th of July Parade. Contact Ed DeWitt @ fasteddie1941@twc.com or 570-278-3537.
Susquehanna Veterans Affairs office is always here to assist Veterans in accessing Veterans Administration and State benefits.
Our office can be reached at the following:
P.O. Box 218 /31 Lake Avenue Montrose, PA 18801 (Courthouse-side entrance facing the green)
Phone: 570-278-5955 or 570-278-4600 Ext. 3045
Fax: 570-278-5977
Contact Information
Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-5955
Fax: (570) 278-5977
Jeffery Mead, Director / VSO