Villa Park event helps veterans cut through red tape

Jeanne Beyer tends bar at Villa Park VFW Post 2801 and has heard her share of stories about veterans struggling to cut through red tape that often stands between them and the benefits they’ve earned.

Even post Cmdr. Dennis Geisman was experiencing difficulties, she says.

“If I’m having problems as a VFW commander,” he told her, “imagine what it’s like for the other guys.”

A couple years ago, they decided enough was enough and helped create an organization called the Welcome Home Veterans Committee that’s designed to both celebrate veterans and help them get what’s rightfully theirs.

“They’ve fought enough,” Beyer says. “They shouldn’t have to fight their way through the red tape.”

That philosophy will be at the heart of the second annual free Veterans Benefits event that runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the VFW Hall, 39 E. St. Charles Road, Villa Park.

Beyer says organizers expect about 5,000 people, roughly half of them vets, to attend to help bridge the gaps between veterans and the benefits available to them.

Toward that end, she says the group will have representatives of the Veterans Affairs on hand along with folks from the Lombard VFW, American Legion, Kiwanis and Cantigny Park — all of whom can help vets learn about how to use programs that are available to them.

An attorney who specializes in veterans affairs also will be on hand, Beyer says. The attorney met with 65 vets last year who had various claims denied and helped 55 of them get those decisions overturned on the spot.

“We will have the appropriate people here who can make decisions right away,” Beyer said. “We can partner with the vets and walk them through the process.”

Representatives of medical groups will be available to assist participants with everything from hearing aids to eyeglasses.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies, including the national anthem and a prayer, around 10:15 a.m. A Navy jet flyover is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Beyer says everyone is welcome to attend to thank vets for their service and to learn how they can get involved in community groups that do work on behalf of veterans. They also can learn how about Welcome Home Vets fundraisers to bolster its assistance fund.

For details on Saturday’s program, visit welcomehomeallveterans.org.