The Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the City of Petersburg Come Together to Celebrate the Opening of a New DVS Benefits Office

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the City of Petersburg joined together today to celebrate the opening of a new DVS benefits office in the Petersburg Freedom Support Center. A bright, sunny day matched the spirits of the elected officials, state representatives, veterans, active duty military, community leaders and friends of DVS in attendance at the celebration.

“Having a Virginia Department of Veterans Services Benefits Office in Petersburg will greatly assist the region’s veterans to apply for those federal and state benefits they’ve earned through their service to our nation.  Petersburg has such a supportive community and the Freedom Support Center makes the perfect home for our office.

I think we’ll be a real “force multiplier” for the City in their effort to best support their veterans.  We’ve got a lot of hard working and dedicated people already at the Petersburg Freedom Support Center and we’re confident our services will compliment their important work.

Our highly trained and accredited Veterans Service Representatives, Joyce Baldwin and Arthur Bell, are ready to meet with veterans one-on-one, to help them identify and apply for the benefits to which they may be entitled.” said Thomas J. Herthel, benefits director for DVS.

This new central location will enable veterans to more easily access an array of benefit services earned while serving in the U.S Armed Forces. The office will complement the existing 25 benefit offices offered by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services across the Commonwealth.

John L. Newby II, Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services noted, “The Virginia Department of Veterans Services is delighted to be opening a benefits office in the Petersburg Freedom Support Center. We have a real need to provide additional assistance to our veterans in the Petersburg area. Together, we are committed to serving the Commonwealth’s veterans and assisting them with their transition from military to civilian life.

Contact Information for the Petersburg Benefits office may be found here.

Photos of the ceremony may be viewed here.