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State Of Georgia Department of Veterans Service
2001 Annual Report Pete Wheeler Commissioner

New Legislation, Benefits and
Honors Georgia Veterans
Although Georgia's military retirees benefited from legislation passed by the 2001 Georgia General Assembly, two other bills also signed into law by Governor Roy Barnes, paid tribute to World War II veterans and ex-POWs/MIA's and their families.
"The legislation to provide free license plates to Georgia military retirees has been very popular," said Georgia Commissioner of Veteran Affairs Pete Wheeler. "It has exempted some 77,000 veterans from the $25 annual registration fee."
Effective January 1, 2002, House Bill 183 provided motor vehicle owners who retired from active duty of the U. S. Armed Forces with a retired veteran's license plate. The license plate is being issued without the requisite registration or annual registration fee.
Commissioner Wheeler commended the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor for the legislation that provides local boards of education the authority to award high school diplomas to veterans who did not finish high school due to military service during WWII.
"For these men and women, their high school lessons were learned while serving a nation they believed in and loved," Commissioner Wheeler commented. "Not only did they forego their diplomas, but they gave up their teenage years to ensure the freedoms we prosper in today."
Eligibility under HB 176 requires that the veteran served between September 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946 and was honorably discharged. Diplomas may be awarded posthumously.
"They are deserving of this recognition from the community where they attended school," noted Commissioner Wheeler.
The Commissioner also applauded the new legislation that provides a fitting tribute to POWs, MIAs and their families.
HB 294 provides that the POW/MIA flag be flown year round at rest stops along interstate highways in the state of Georgia. A plaque will be placed at each rest area to indicate Georgia's appreciation of the sacrifices of POW's and those MIA's and their families.
"This will serve as a constant reminder to every American who travels Georgia's interstate highways of the precious cost of democracy and peace," Commissioner Wheeler pointed out.

PETER WHEELER COMMISSIONER
(404) 656-2300 FAX (404) 656-7006

department of

J^erfitce

JF^loQb T&etzrnns (JHcmorml utlbing

JUIanta, (Georgia
30334

VETERANS SERVICE BOARD BEN PURCELL, Chairman, Clarksville C.C. DUDLEY, Vice Chairman, Royston BARBARA J. AARON, Secretary, Warner Robins HORACE BORDERS, Member, Rockmart W.D. HARRELL, Member, Bainbridge RAY HENDRIX, Member, Statesboro RICHARD HARRIS, Member, Cochran

January 31,2002
Governor Roy Barnes Members of the General Assembly Members of the Veterans Service Board Citizens of the State of Georgia
Greetings:
Section 38-4-11 of the Code of Georgia reads:
"The Commissioner of Veterans Service shallfurnish to the Governor, the members ofthe General Assembly, the Veterans Service Board, veterans' organizations and the public generally an annual report with reference to claims presented on behalfofveterans ofthis state, concerning veterans aided underfederal, state, or local legislation, and to otherwise report activities and accomplishments of the Department of Veterans Service."
In compliance with the above Section, I have the honor to present herewith the Annual Report ofthe Department ofVeterans Service for the year 2001.

Contents
Veterans Service Board.............................................................. 5 Mission ............................................................................................ 6 Department Functions ................................................................ 7 Education And Training Division............................................ 8 Information Division................................................................... 9 Statistical Report......................................................................... 10 Monetary Benefits ....................................................................... 12 Financial Report.......................................................................... 13 Commissioner's Activities............................................................14 VA National Veterans Cemetery................................................ 17 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Milledgeville.......... 18 Service Officers School.............................................................. 20 Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, Augusta................... 22 Georgia War Veterans Home, Milledgeville........................... 23 State Veterans Organizations................................................... 24 Veterans Leadership.................................................................. 25 Directory.......................................................................................... 43 Distribution of VA Expenditures.................................................51
Organization

Veterans Service Board

Pete Wheeler Commissioner
Brian Zeringue Public Information Manager

A.W. Tindall Assistant Commissioner

Sam Smith Director Personnel
James Jackson Director
Education/Training

LenE. Glass Director
Administration Director

Mu Cotter Assistant Commissioner
Field Service

James Frederick Assistant Commissioner
Claims

Ray Hasneri Director
GA War Veterans Home, Milledgeville

Charles Esposito Administrator
GA War Veterans Home, Augusta

Phil Youngblood Supervisor Area 1

Hike Roby Supervisor
Area 2

Robert Turner Supervisor Area 3

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Veterans Service Board

The Constitution of the State of Georgia specifies that the State Board of Veterans Service be composed of seven members. Each member must be a veteran of the armed forces of the United States and must have served honorably during wartime.
The Governor nominates members who are subject to approval by the State Senate. Board members terms are staggered and are for seven years. From its membership, the Board annually elects a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. Every four years the Board elects a Commissioner, through whom it controls the overall policy of the Department of Veterans Service.
2001 Board Members

Ben Purcell Calvin C. Dudley Barbara J. Aaron Horace Borders Ray Hendrix W.D. Harrell Richard Harris

Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Member Member Member Member

Clarksville Royston Warner Robins Rockmart Statesboro Bainbridge Cochran

Members of Georgia's Veterans Service Boardjoin State Representative Kenneth Birdsong (fourth from left). Governor Roy

Barnes, and Commissioner Pete Wheeler in unveiling the marker that stands at the entrance to the Georgia Veterans Memorial

Cemetery.

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5

Mission...to

Service might be compared to that of an attorney representing a client in court.

serve those

The necessity for personal assistance in filing and pursuing claims and in maintaining a

who have

continuing information program results from the legal principle that veterans benefits are not awarded automatically--all must be applied for.

served

The VA pays a veteran exactly what he or she asks for when they are entitled, and no more.

The aim of the Department of Veterans

he mission of the Department of Veterans
TService is to serve the 777,000 veterans (as of September, 2001) residing in

Service is to obtain for a veteran or dependents the benefits to which they are entitled, to tell them when they are entitled, and to assist them in

Georgia, their dependents and survivors in allgathering and preparing evidence needed to

matters pertaining to veterans benefits.

justify a claim and prove their entitlement.

This responsibility falls into two basic tasks:

The advancing age of World War II and

informing the veterans and their families about Korean War veterans, and the frequent changes

veterans benefits; and directly assisting and

that occur in veterans benefits legislation, will

advising veterans and their families in securing necessitate the continuance of a variety of

the benefits to which they are entitled.

veterans programs in the years ahead.

To support these missions, the department

As Congress continues to seek ways to reduce

maintains a claims staff, field offices, an

the deficit, veterans benefits will continue to be in

information division, and a central office.

a state of flux.

The claims staff is located at the Atlanta

This means veterans will continue to need

regional office of the U.S. Department of

assistance in interpreting the changes and

Veterans Affairs at 1700 Clairmont Road in

determining how they impact on their personal

Decatur.

situation.

The claims staffs mission is to process claims

and appeals of Georgia veterans.

The field offices, located throughout the state,

provide direct assistance to veterans at the local

level. Department representatives provide coun

sel and assist veterans in gathering the docu

ments and infonnation required to document

their claim.

The information division's mission is to keep

Georgia veterans informed about issues and how

they impact on them.

The central office is for the administration of

these services.

The uninformed may be prone to use the

phrase "duplication of effort" when referring to

the functions of the Department of Veterans

Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs; nothing could be further from the truth.

To a veteran seeking benefits from the VA, the

role played by the Department of Veterans

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Department subdivisions, in addition to any funds appropriated by the state.

Functions

8. Construct and operate hospitals, nursing homes, personal care homes and a

veteran's cemetery for the benefit

1. Effectuate and carry out the laws ofthe state pertaining to veterans. 2. Inform veterans, their dependents, and survivors as to their rights and benefits under federal and state legislation, or local ordinances. 3. Assist veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries in the preparation, presentation, proof, and establishment ofsuch claims, privileges, rights and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state, and local laws. 4. Report any evidence of incompetence, dishonesty, or negligence on the part ofany employee dealing with veterans' affairs to the proper authority. 5. To do and perform all things for the promotion of and in the interest and for the protection of the veterans of Georgia as to their rights under all federal and state laws. 6. Apply for and accept gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government or from any other governmental units. 7. Accept and use gifts, grants, donations, and contributions of real estate, both vacant and improved facilities, monies, services or other property from individuals, arms, corporations, organizations, and associations and from county and municipal corporations and their

ofeligible war veterans. 9. Advise the Governor, the Board ofVeterans Service, and the General Assembly as to needed veterans' legislation. 10. Maintain files on all veterans who have filed claims for veterans' benefit through the department. 11. Conduct educational programs by personal appearances before veterans' organizations, service clubs, fraternal groups and other such organizations so as to acquaint the public generally with the work of the department. 12. Make representatives ofthe department available in any regions, locations, and areas of the state to assist all veterans, their dependents, and survivors in preparing and filing claims for benefits and to acquaint them with all legal rights and privileges. 13. Cooperate with all national, state, and local governmental and private agencies, securing or offering services or any benefits to veterans and their dependents. 14. Assist and cooperate with all veterans' organizations in their work. 15. As State Approving Authority, enter into contracts with the federal government for the qualifications, approval, certification, and supervision of educational institutions and training establishments applying for or participating in federal

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programs for educating and training veterans. 16. Assist other states in securing evidence for claims. 17. Promote enlargement and improvement ofVA hospital facilities in the state. 18. Sponsor observance of Veterans Day in the state. 19. Certify eligibility for veterans' drivers licenses and honorary drivers' license. 20. Certify eligibility for disabled veterans' discount at Department of Natural Resources facilities. 21. Issue Certificates of Exemption from payment of business license tax to qualified veterans. 22. Assist qualified veterans in obtaining Honorary Hunting and Fishing Licenses. 23. Assist in obtaining special motor vehicle license plates for certain veterans: Medal ofHonor and Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners-of-war, handicapped and disabled veterans. 24. Furnish the Governor, members ofthe General Assembly, State Board of Veterans Service, veterans' organizations, and the general public and annual report on the activities and accomplishments of the department.
7

Education And
Training
Division... State
Approving Agency
y law, the Georgia Department of
B Veterans Service is designated as the State Approving Agency, responsible for approving and supervising all institutions and establishments in Georgia, which offer education and training under the provisions of the Veterans Educational Assistance Program.
The State Approving Agency has the function of ensuring that institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so that eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
This includes all public and private schools and all establishments offering apprenticeship and other on-the-job training. The satisfactory performance of these duties requires extensive knowledge in education administration and understanding the laws and regulations that govern and control the Veterans Educational Assistance Program.
Georgia veterans enrolled in college degree and professional programs, technical career programs, vocational programs, to include flight training and on-the-job training programs remained at 12,103 level during 2000.

subsequently was made a permanent benefit for the military and now enjoys a huge participation, which continues to grow.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has expanded the veterans education benefits program to include vocational, technical, correspondence and apprenticeship training for reservists and flight training for both reservists and veterans. One of the most recent innovations was Public Law 106-419 which would allow DVA to pay for certain licensing and certification tests required for entry or advancement into a vocation or profession.
In 2000, the approval of educational institutions and training establishments for the education of Georgia veterans resulted in the processing of 7,826 individual actions in the approval, reapproval, withdrawal and compliance survey process. The State Approving Agency also conducted regular inspection visits to ensure that approval criteria and schools' standards of progress are being followed as prescribed by law.
During 2000, personnel assigned to the Educational and Training Division conducted 510 visits for the purposes of approval, reapproval, inspection and compliance surveys. Currently, the department monitors 849 educational institutions and training establishments.
Laws recently enacted require stringent regulatory compliance in order to maintain controls on all approved types of educational establishments. The responsibilities of administrative approval, annual inspections, and ensuring corrective action where necessary, constitute a vital function of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

Increases in enrollments are expected to continue as more veterans participate in the Montgomery GI Bill education program.
Initiated in 1985, the Montgomery GI Bill program has proven to be a great success. The veterans' response to this program was such that it

Pictured, Mr. John W. Hogue, a Montgomery GI Bill recipient, uses his GI Bill benefits while working for Georgia Power.

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Information

Milledgeville. Recent press releases, selected articles from the Veterans Bulletin and other items of interest to veterans can also be accessed at the

Division

site. The site address is http://www2.state.ga.us/

Departments/V eterans.

he information division collects, evaluates, The information division compiles, edits, and

Tand disseminates information to veterans publishes a series of pamphlets explaining in regarding benefits changes in laws, and detail the various benefits available to veterans, proper procedures to be followed in the filingthoefir dependents, and survivors. These pamphlets

claims.

are updated as changes occur in laws,

When appropriate, the division mails news

regulations, or benefits.

releases concerning veterans affairs to more than

Through an aggressive internal communication

450 newspapers, radio and television stations

program, the Division keeps the field offices

throughout Georgia.

informed about changes in the law and policy

The releases are used to inform veterans about interpretations that impact veterans.

the latest changes regarding veterans affairs and

to provide information on the status of proposed

or pending legislation which may affect them.

Field personnel promote the Department and the

services it provides by their frequent contacts

with the news media in their respective areas.

The Department publishes the Veterans

Bulletin which contains information about

veterans programs, VA actions and decisions,

new rules and regulations, and news from various

sources.

A quarterly publication, the Veterans Bulletin

is distributed throughout the state to veterans

organizations, VA hospitals, public officials and

other interested groups and individuals.

Public speaking forums are an important

ingredient of the Department's overall information

program. All Department personnel are encouraged

to accept speaking engagements at meetings of

veterans organizations and civic clubs. These

personal appearances provide excellent

opportunities for telling the veterans benefits story.

Department personnel also participate in local

radio talk shows and make presentations at local

schools.

The Information Division maintains a Department

Web Site that is part of the Georgia On Line

Network. The web site contains information about

Commissioner Wheeler, state veterans benefits, the A WAGA-TV Reporter interviews Commissioner

Georgia War Veterans Nursing Flome in Augusta, Wheeler after a site visit to the future VA National

and the Georgia War Veterans Flome in

Cemetery in Cherokee, County.

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Statistical
Report
he following is a report of the number of cases and types of services rendered by the
TGeorgia Department of Veterans Service during 2001.
Contacts.......................................................................... 591,814 New Case Files.................................................................. 9,975 Letters Written................................................................. 36,199 Compensation and Pension........................................... 47,887 Education............................................................................ 4,206 Medical............................................................................. 21,027 Insurance..............................................................................1,224 Loans...................................................................................4,353 Power of Attorney........................................................... 10,689 Notices of Disagreement and Appeals Filed................. 4,238 VA Claims Folders Reviewed..................................... 35,866 Drivers Licenses................................................................ 6,960 Business Licenses..................................................................179 Other Forms and Evidence......................................... 182,540 Miscellaneous................................................................ 760,349

Veterans gather at the annual "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" held each year in various cities throughout the state. The one-day program provides a one-stop shopping service for veterans and their families to gather information regarding federal and state benefits to which they might be entitled.

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Statistical

widowers of veterans for obtaining a veteran's or honorary driver's license.

Report Definitions

BUSINESS LICENSES: Certificates issued to certain disabled veterans exempting them from the payment of business license taxes.
OTHER FORMS AND EVIDENCE: Documents completed and transmitted in support

CONTACTS: Requests for service or information (in person, by telephone or by letter).
NEW CASE FILES: Cases brought to the attention of the Veterans Service Department for assistance requiring representation.
LETTERS WRITTEN: Outgoing correspondence originated in the Department on behalf of claimants in developing their claims.
COMPENSATION AND PENSION: Claims for monetary benefits submitted by veterans, their dependents or survivors.
EDUCATION: Applications for educational assistance for the veterans and/or wives, widows and children of veterans.
MEDICAL: Applications for treatment of

of applications filed for claims. MISCELLANEOUS: Assisting in
arrangements for military funerals, burial in national cemeteries, obtaining flags and grave markers, guardianship for incompetent veterans and orphans; replacement of lost or destroyed discharges and military records; review and change ofdischarges and military records; employment, reemployment, civil service preference, social security, welfare and related benefits; claims from the field reviewed and released to the VA; actions pertaining to HV and DV auto tags, hunting and fishing licenses, tax exemptions, state park discount cards and change of addresses; vocational rehabilitation; and nursing home applications.

a medical or dental condition; for admission to

health care facilities; and vocational

rehabilitation. INSURANCE: An application for
insurance, conversion, reinstatement, waiver of

premiums, total disability income and death proceeds.
HOME LOAN APPLICATION: Applications for direct home loans from the VA and guaranteed loans from private lenders.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY: The appointment of a service organization as a

claimant's representative. NOTICES OF DISAGREEMENT AND

APPEALS FILED: Written briefs and

statements prepared in support of a claim where

there is disagreement with the VA decision rendered.
VA CLAIMS FOLDERS REVIEWED: Claims obtained from the VA adjudication division and reviewed and rating boards

conducted by claims staff personnel. DRIVERS LICENSES: Certificates issued
to veterans, their spouses, or to widows or

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Monetary Benefits

lhe following is a report of the monetary
T benefits received the veterans and the dependent survivors of deceased veterans in Georgia during fiscal year 2001 (October 1, 2000- September 30,2001). The figures were provided by the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs.

Compensation and Pension

$765,578,976

Insurance

43,469,000

Readjustment and

Vocational Rehabilitation

61,842,687

Construction

4,413,709

General Operating Expenses 539,855,250

Total

$1,414,159,662

Readjustment and Vocational Rehab: Represents returns in dollars for automobiles and adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces, specially adapted housing for disabled veterans, dependents education assistance (Chapter 35), vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans (Chapter 31), post-Vietnam Era veterans educational assistance (Chapter 32), and the Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selected Reserves (Chapter 106).
Construction: Represents returns in dollars concerning major and minor construction projects.
General Operating Costs: Amount spent by the VA to operate the regional office, hospitals, nursing and domiciliary facilities and clinics in Georgia.

Monetary Report Definitions

Compensation and Pension: Represents returns in dollars for veterans compensation for service-connected disability, compensation for service-connected deaths for veterans dependents, veterans dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, pensions for nonservice connected disability for veterans, pensions to veterans surviving spouses and children, and burial expenses allowance for veterans.

Insurance: Estimate ofVA payment of death claims, mature endowments, dividends, cash surrender payments, total disability income provision payments, and total permanent disability benefits payments. The data is provided by the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia. The estimate is based on statistical allocations using the veteran population to disperse amounts to geographical locations.

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Financial Report
For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2001

FUNDS AVAILABLE
REVENUES
State Appropriation Federal Revenues

BUDGET

ACTUAL

$20,278,316.00 $11.386.370.00
$31.664.686.00

$20,278,315.00 $11.400.863.89
$31.679.178.00

EXPENDITURES

Personal Services Regular Operating Expenses Travel Equipment Computer Charges Real Estate Rentals T elecommunications Per Diem, Fees and Contracts Operating Expenses/Payments To Medical College of Georgia WWII Vetrans Memorial Regular Operating Expenses for Projects and Insurance

$5,753,575.00 371,512.00 123,480.00 295,957.00 27,080.00 264,941.00 94,660.00
15,509,696.00 8,574,292.00
196,373.00 453,120.00

Total Expenditures

$30.345.195.22

$5,564,151.92 372,054.00 124,574.01 295,421.19 5,910.45 211,592.85 93,179.07
15,509,501.00 8,574,291.00
196,373.00* 452,939.00

* FY 2001 Portion of $324,373,(128,000) expended during the previous fiscal year

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13

by the state House of Representative. House

Commissioner's

Resolution 486, read and adopted during an open session on the floor of the House chambers, was sponsored by Representatives Ken Birdsong of

Activities

Gordon (Chairman of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee), Barbara Massey

Reece of Menlo, Buddy Childers of Rome, and Jack

West of Bowden.

uring 2001, as he has over the past 50

In April, Commissioner Wheeler took part in one

Dyears, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler was active

of the last steps towards the creation of a VA National Cemetery in Georgia. He attended a

throughout the state participating in variouscveeretemraonny where Dallas Hudgens officially handed

activities and speaking in support of veteran issues. off to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi

His calendar was again filled with appearances the deed to 775 acres of land near Canton

before veteran organizations, civic groups and at

overlooking Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County that

professional meetings stressing the country's

his late father, World War II veteran Scott Hudgens

requirement to support its veterans. He took any and donated for a national veterans ceremony. The

every opportunity to point out the Department's

ceremony took place in the Washington, D.C., office

service to veterans, the recent changes and

of Georgia's U.S. Senator Max Cleland. Among

challenges to veteran benefits and provided his

others attending from Georgia's Washington

recommendations regarding the future of veteran

delegation were U.S. Senator Zell Miller and U.S.

benefits and health care.

Representatives Bob Barr of the 7th Congressional

His messages applauded the U. S. House of

District and Mac Collins of the 3rd Congressional

Representatives' 2001 resolution for a constitutional District.

amendment to protect the physical desecration of the

Commissioner Wheeler kicked off the 43rd

American flag and the significant of the 50th

annual Service Officer School in May by introducing

anniversary of the Korean War (1950 to 1953),

U. S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi

publicly recognizing all Korean War veterans and

to one of the largest conference audiences in recent

their families.

years. Secretary Principi's opening day address

In addition to the department's recurring annual outlined his priorities for the VA. Later that month,

events, 2001 found Commissioner Wheeler involved Commissioner Wheeler was represented at a

in many special events.

Memorial Day and 50th Anniversary ofthe Korean

In February, Commissioner Wheeler attended War Commemoration Service sponsored by the

the Activation/Deployment Ceremony at Fort Stewart Korean American Association ofGreater Atlanta

of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade NATO peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. The 1,200

and held at the Pete Wheeler Georgia War Veterans

Guardsmen were part of a 270 day Presidential

Memorial Plaza in front of the Floyd Veterans

Memorial

Selective Reserve Callup that

represented the largest

Building.

mobilization of Georgia

On

Guardsmen since Desert Storm.

National

In March, the state's

POW/MIA

Veterans Service Board elected

Recognition

and Governor Bames swore-in

Day in

Commissioner Wheeler to an

September,

unprecedented 13 th four-year

Commissioner

term as Georgia Commissioner of

Wheeler

Veterans Affairs. Also that month. Governor Roy E. Barnes administers the oath of office to Georgia

Commissioner Wheeler was

Commiaaioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler who was elected

participated in the dedication

publicly recognized for his

unanimously by the State Veterans Service Board to a thirteenth term as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

exceptional dedication and service Commissioner wheeler's wife Gerri, took part in the swearing-in ceremony

placing POW/ MIA flag

held in the Governor's office at the State Capitol Building.

and plaque

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at all Interstate Welcome Centers and Rest Areas in Georgia. Many local, state, and military officials, as well as all of Georgia's veterans organizations were represented at the official ceremony that took place at the 1-75 South Rest Area near Forsyth.

In October, for the sixth consecutive year,

Commissioner Wheeler hit the first ball to signal the

beginning of the Atlanta VA Medical Center's annual|

"Play It Again Pete" Golf Tournament. The one-day event, named in honor of Commissioner Wheeler, was held at the Golfer's Club on Fort McPherson and raised over $25,000 in donations for the VA's

The Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta sponsored a Memorial Day and 50"' Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Services on May 30"' at the Pete Wheeler Georgia War Veterans Memorial Plaza ofthe Floyd

Homeless Veterans Program. As he has since 1954, Commissioner Wheeler
served as Chairman of the statewide Veterans Day observance and master of

Veterans Memorial Building, State Capitol Complex. Pictured here are Lieutenant Genera! Lawson Magruder III, Deputy Commanding General, U. S. Army Forces Command and Major General David Poythress, Adjutant General,
Georgia National Guard during the wreath laying

ceremony when Governor

ceremony. Keynote speakers included retired Marine

Barnes continued a long standing tradition officially proclaiming November 11, 2001 as "Veterans Day in

Genera! Raymond G. Davis, Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and retired Army General and Korean War veteran William Livsey. Georgia veteran service organizations represented included The American Legion, The

Georgia" during a ceremony

at the State Capitol Building.

Then on December 11,

2001, approximately 1,000

veterans and their family

members and friends joined

Governor Barnes,

Commissioner Wheeler and

other state officials in the

dedication of the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery located near

Governor Roy E. Barnes and Commissioner Wheeler a) the Dedication ceremony ofthe Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Milledgeville.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Disabled American Veterans, and The Military Order ofthe Purple Heart. Sunny Park, Deputy Chairman of the American Korean Friendship Society, hosted the
event.
Between his statewide travel and veterans activities, Commissioner Wheeler continued his active role as Chairman of the National World War II Memorial Advisory Board. He provided advice and assistance to the American Battle Monuments Commission regarding final approval of plans to begin construction on the national
monument.

On July 16, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Pete Wheeler participated in the dedication of VA's new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Lawrenceville, GA. Shown here with Commissioner Wheeler and U.S. Senator Max Cleland, who delivered the keynote address and cut the ribbon to officially open daily operation, are (from left to right) William Mountcastle, Director of the Atlanta VA Medical Center; Mayor Bartow Jenkins, city ofLawrenceville; Dr. Agwu Onuoha, Clinic Medical Director; Robert Perrault, Executive Director of VA Network 7 Primary

Care Service Line; Thomas Cappello, Deputy' Director of VA Network 7; and Dr. W. Virgil Brown, chiefofthe Primary Care Service Line at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. The clinic, located at 1970 Riverside Parkway will provide Gwinnett County area veterans easy access to primary care medical services, preventative care, routine x-ray and lab work, and outpatient mental healthcare.

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

15

On October 1, 2001, the Atlanta VA Medical Center hosted the sixth Annual "Play It Again, Pete!" Golf Tournament at | the Golfer's Club on Fort McPherson. The tournament raised over $25,000 to support the I Homeless Veteran Program at the Atlanta VAMC. Funds are used for

pity. U Pete "
I** til f/o*wZfi

The comprehensive program provides work skills, housing, food, transportation and perhaps most importantly moral support.

education, furniture and small items to

help veterans go from the streets into

productive society.

Georgia Commissioner of Veterans

Affairs, Pete Wheeler, for whom the

tournament is named, hit the first ball

signaling the beginning of the tournament.

Commissioner Wheeler, a "true friend of the veteran," readily endorses the event. "In a field where success rates are not that high, VA has had amazing success at bringing the homeless back into the mainstream of society," he said.

Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Pete Wheeler is shown here with Mitch Hinkle, (left) representing the Atlanta VAMC's Veteran Service

September 21 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Georgia Commissioner of Veteran Affairs Pete Wheeler participated in the dedication of the POW/MIA flag and plaque

Council and Linda Wright (center) Chief Program Specialist, Metro Atlanta Homeless Veterans Program, holding the check which represented donations raised from this year's tournament.

at all Georgia's Welcome Centers and Rest areas. Many local county, state and military officials, as well as all of Georgia's veterans service organizations were represented at the official ceremony took place at the 1-75 South Rest Area near Forsyth. Pictured are Ms. Joanne Shirley, Chairwoman for the National League of Families of POW/MIAs is shown here introducing the program's special guests that included (from left to right) Ben Spear, Jr. Chairman of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners; Mayor Jack Ellis, City of Macon; Mayor Paul Jossey, Jr., City of Forsyth; Army Major General Daniel Mongeon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics with U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson; State Representative Ken Birdsong of Gordon, Chairman of the Georgia House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee; Georgia Commissioner of Transportation Tom Coleman; and Commissioner Wheeler.

RniA SALUTES

t X I'OWS and 64 MIA

,,<) WlA, W>2 . A l'OWS-Wd 3*4 MIA

,, vOA. ./> x

174MIA

' < I WIA; J \ i:X

. kia. t wfA. 2 i:x-itt^SJhdfllA

: living In Georgia

'

.T

r;:ACTIVITY UNACCOUNTED TOR / MIA

2,583 <1,970 a/V01)

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Deed Transfer

accepted the offer following a review of 12 sites and an environmental assessment of the offered land. By

Held For

acquiring the land by donation rather than purchase, Secretary Prinicpi noted that America's taxpayers have been saved millions of dollars, and Georgia's

Georgia ys National veterans have had years reduced from the normal timetable to create a new cemetery. In FY 2001,

Cemetery

Congress provided $2.5 million specifically for master planning and design of the cemetery. Later, an additional $28 million was

appropriated for construction.

ne of the last steps toward the creation of a

The site, about 35 miles from Atlanta, was

O National Cemetery in Georgia was taken in April 2001, when Dallas Hudgens, son of

selected over 11 other examined by VA. It will serve approximately 400,000 veterans living within 75

the late Atlanta Developer Scott Hudgens, miles. The property, near the Etowah River, is

presented a property deed for 775 acres to

between Canton and Sutallee. The site, which offers

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Prinicipi at views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the North and

a ceremony held at the Washington office of Senator Lake Allatoona to the south, will remain largely in

Max Cleland.

it's natural state. Interments will be placed along the

Scott Hudgens, a World War II veteran who was ridgeline of the hills. The cemetery would have a

a prominent businessman and philanthropist in

history and visitor's center, memorials and a chapel

Atlanta, offered to donate the property before his on the site, with 300 acres of the property left in it's

death in October 2000.

natural state. The 150 acres of interment sites could

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

provide a resting-place for over 135,000.

Dallas Hudgens, far right, hands a property deed to VA Secretary Anthony Principi inthe Capitol Hill office of Sen. Max Cleland (DGa.) center. Hudgens' late father Scott, a World War II veteran, donated the landfor a national cemetery near Atlanta. Also pictured are Rep. Bob Barr (RGa.), secondfrom left, and Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Pete Wheeler.
17

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery

The Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, establishedfor the interment offaithful and honorable military veterans, is a shrine recognizing all Georgia veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This cemetery will be greatly revered, not only by the next ofkin andfamily members of those interred therein, but also by patriotic, veteran, military, and civic organizations and the general public as well. This cemetery will be administered, operated, and maintained under the highest standards - standards that will require a high degree of vigilance and devotion. We in the Georgia Department of Veterans Service accept this challenge with honor.
- Pete Wheeler, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs

pproximately 1,000
Aveterans, their amily members and friends joined Governor Roy E. Barnes, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler and other state officials in the dedication of the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located near Milledgeville, December 11, 2001. The dedication took place at the cemetery's multi-tier walled ceremonial area. Commissioner Wheeler, serving as master of ceremonies, began by asking the
audience, "For a moment, on this special day, let us pause reflect remember and thank the many thousands of Georgia military veterans, both living and dead, and those whose whereabouts

are still unknown or unaccounted for."
Commissioner Wheeler then set the tone by reminding everyone, "Let us never forget, nor take for granted, their
sacrifices and the hardships they endured to provide and protect all the freedoms that we enjoy today.
It is for ALL of them that we are here today." Commissioner Wheeler ended his welcome remarks by pointing out, "This cemetery will be more than a place to lay lovedones to rest, this will be an everlasting shrine, a place of honor, in recognition to all

Georgia veterans who have served in our Armed Forces."
Later during his keynote tribute to the memory of all Georgia veterans who have served our
nation so nobly." Governor Barnes then noted,
"It will be a great comfort for the families of those who are buried here to know that their loved one is at peace in such breathtakingly beautiful surroundings and will be cared for daily by the people of

18

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

Georgia for as long as our great state exists."
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates the number of veteran deaths in the United States will increase from 550,000 in 1998 to a staggering 620,000 in 2008.
"This cemetery is a result of a lot of hard work, dedication, and teamwork on the part of everyone within the Georgia Department of Veterans Service," noted Mr. William Jayne, Director, State Cemetery Grant Service for VA's National Cemetery Administration in his remarks. "And the professionalism and cooperation displayed by local and state government and veteran service organization to help make this cemetery a reality is a credit to Georgia."
GVMC was established on 142 acres that was transferred by law from the Georgia Forestry Commission. It includes an administration/visitor center with a state of the art information booth, a committal chapel, a carillon, and twelve enclosed columbarium shelters for ashes. Cemetery grounds also include a six-acre lake. The three-acre ceremonial/

William Jayne, Director State Cemetery Grant Service, VA National CemeteryAdministration
memorial area will be available for use by veteran organizations on remembrance days such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
"This cemetery is just another example of how Commissioner Pete Wheeler and his staff never stray from the determination to ensure Georgia's veterans get all they are entitled to," noted Governor Barnes.
The cemetery's initial
construction phase was completed in early November and presently has a capacity for some

1,000 burial vaults. Presently occupying some 30 of the 142 acres, the cemetery will eventually be a final resting-place for more than 100,000 Georgia veterans, seperated under other than dishonorable conditions, their dependents and their spouses.
Interment services are available Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cemetery is located some five miles south of downtown Milledgeville along GA Highway 112.
I1

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Service Officers School
20

"Secretary Principi shares our mission of service to America's veterans, their families, and survivors. Throughout his career Mr. Principi has always demonstrated a genuine and sincere concern for the needs of his fellow veterans and has used his talent and knowledge to address those needs."
Pete Wheeler, Georgia Commissioner of
Veterans Affairs
"I will act. I will decide. But I promise I won't do so in isolation. 1 will do so only after thoughtful deliberation with our partner veteran advocates including great organizations such as yours."
Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs
he Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony
TJ. Principi's opening day address to one of the largest annual Service Officers Schools in recent years highlighted the 43rd conference held May 14-17 at the Clarion Hotel on Jekyll Island.
"We share a mission - to care for those who have served and sacrificed wearing the unifonn of our great United States Armed Forces," Mr. Principi pointed out. "Your hard work for these great Anericans make a difference."
"I know we, the VA, face daunting challenges, noted Mr.Principi. "But let me assure you that I intend to make a difference as well."
Mr. Principi's remarks outlined his priorities for the VA as:
A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

Timely and accurate decisions on disability claims; Increased access to high quality health care, includ
ing specialized services; Maintaining our cemeteries as national shrines; Insuring that infonnation technology serves to break down the barriers seperating VA from others.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service in Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the state's veterans groups sponsor the annual conference.
The Service Officer School is the Department's primary training tool. It is designed to provide attendees with up-todate information regarding federal and state veterans benefits.
The event brings together the veterans benefits counselors from the Department's field offices, the leadership of the state's veterans groups and national officials involved in veterans issues.
"Our most basic tool is our knowledge of veterans benefits," is how Commissioner Wheeler explains the event's mission. "Our people must keep current on the issues affecting veterans, if we are going to provide quality service."

*r
Robert Spanogle National Adjutant The American Legion
t * *w.

Ken Birdsong, Representative, Gordon, Chairman House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committe

B. Joseph "Joey" Brush, Jr. State Senator, Appling,
Senate Committee on Veterans and Consumer AJfairs

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Judge John J. Farley, III U.S. Court ofAppeals Veterans Claims
21

Georgia War

The average age of residents in the facility is 76 years of age. The GWVNH provided 22,230 physical therapy treatments and 6,090 occupational therapy procedures in 2001.
To help provide care and treatment, the

Veterans Nursing Home Augusta
he Georgia War Veterans Nursing
T Home is a 192-bed skilled nursing care facility located adjacent to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta.

federal government provided financial assistance totaling $3,358,664 during 2001. During the year, construction was completed on a multipurpose therapy room that is now being used to provide enhanced therapeutic services to our veterans.
Throughout the year, veterans organizations, civic and fraternal associations, and religious groups demonstrated their concern for the well being of ailing veterans through numerous donations and the continuing sponsorship of frequent veteran-related activities.

It is operated under a contractual agreement with the Medical College of Georgia.
Primarily a facility to provide care to aged

and infirm Georgia veterans, the GWVNH also

serves as a teaching facility to acquaint medical and allied health students with medical conditions and diseases that confront the aged.

This provides the students with practical experience and helps them gain expertise in treating the elderly.
The facility also houses the Georgia

Department of Veterans Service field

office, which services Columbia and

Richmond counties. Dedicated in 1969, the facility was
the first state home in the nation to be built with financial assistance from the federal government.
It is one of a select group of such institutions in the United States that has

been accredited by the Joint Commission

on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
In 2001, the GWVNH provided 63,772 days of care to Georgia veterans.

There were 285 admissions and 291

discharges, and the average length of stay

was 237 days.

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Georgia
War
Veterans Home
Milledgeville
The Georgia War Veterans Home, situated on approximately 20 acres in Milledgeville, operates three skilled nursing care facilities and one domicili ary care facility and has the well equipped Kenneth Birdsong Recreation Center serving the entire campus. The home is operated under a contractual agreement with Priva-Trens, Inc., a subsidiary of UHS-Pruitt Corporation of Toccoa, Georgia.
The Georgia War Veterans Home is licensed by the Georgia Department of Human Resources' Office of Regulatory Services and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide skilled nursing and domiciliary care to aged and infirm Georgia veterans. It also provides training to nursing assistant students, many of whom obtain follow-on employment at the home. In addition, training rotations in respiratory care, social work and nursing are offered through agreements with local colleges and technical colleges.
The Richard B. Russell Building constructed in 1973, has a budgeted operation of 110 skilled nursing beds. The Carl Vinson Building, originally built as a domiciliary in 1968 renovated in 1979 and reopened in 1980 as a skilled nursing facility has a budgeted operation of 102 beds. The newest skilled nursing facility is the Joe T. Wood Building, formally dedicated in 1989, has a budgeted operation of 130 beds.
The oldest structure of the home is the Pete Wheeler

Building, this facility serves a budgeted population of 99 veterans in need of domiciliary care.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service field office serving Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties is housed on the first floor of "D-Wing" of the Wheeler Building.
Veterans at the home received 34,094 days of, domiciliary care and 120,099 days of skilled nursing care in 2001. There were 151 admissions and 166 discharges during the year. The average length of stay for these veterans was 1,319 days. The average age of veterans in the facility was 74 years. Federal assistance in financing the cost of providing care to veterans in the home amounted to $6,913,856.
As in previous years, hundreds of activities were scheduled for the general well-being and entertainment of the veterans. Therapeutic and leisure services included bowling, swimming, miniature golf (on the home's 18-hole miniature course), monthly excursions during the baseball to see the Atlanta and Macon Braves and weekly shopping trips to local shopping centers and the Macon Mall.
Various veterans services organizations, civic associations and church groups continued their sponsorship of movies, games, dance parties and other activities and programs throughout the year.

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State Veterans Organizations

n rendering service to the veterans of
IGeorgia, the Department of Veterans Service works closely with the state's

the sincere appreciation of this Department. The group meets periodically and when called upon, advises and assists this Department in its

veterans organizations and the U.S. Departmpreongtrams and activities.

of Veterans Affairs.

Appreciation is also expressed to the auxiliary

The Commanders of the veterans

presidents of the Georgia veterans organizations

organizations in Georgia, who so generously give for their cooperation and assistance in our

their time, energy and expertise in conducting the program

Department Commanders Conference, are due

Continuing a long-standing tradition, on Thursday October 25, 2001, Governor Roy E. Barnes (front row-fourth from left) signed a proclamation officially designating Sunday November 11, 2001, as Veterans Day in Georgia. Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Pete Wheeler (front rowthirdfrom left), who is also chairman of Veterans Day activities in Georgia was the master-ofceremonies. Leaders of veterans' organizations, area military officials, and members of the State Legislature, including Rep. Kenneth Birdsong of Gordon Chairman of the State Representative House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee, (front row-secondfrom left) assembled in the State Capitolfor the occasion.

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Georgia's

Veterans

Leadership

Reserve Officers Association

American Ex-Prisoners of War Lloyd Pate,Commander 5720 Broad Oak Drive

CDR Dorothy Stephens, USPHS 61 Forsyth Street, SW#3M60 Atlanta, GA 30303

Grovetown, GA 31601

The American Legion

American Veterans of World War IIKorea-Vietnam (AMVETS) Lucius Brandon,Commander 3412 Ashurst Dr. Vadosta, GA 31601 Evie J. Wright, Auxiliary President

Joe McDonald, StateCommander 6605 King William Drive Morrow, GA 30260 Beverly Parker, Auxiliary President 1194 Cave Srpings Road, SW Rome, GA 30161

222 Cascade Circle Dublin, GA 31021

The Retired Officers Association Robert Carlisle, State President

Blinded Veterans Association John W. Brown, State Commander

P.O. Box 21186 St. Simons Island, GA 31522

4252 Colony East Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083

United Spanish War Veterans Marie Cruise, Auxiliary President

Disabled American Veterans Bill Coward, State Commander

414 East Avenue North Augusta, SC 29841-3837

112 Churchill Circle Leesburg, GA 31763 Dorothy L. Smith, Auxiliary Commander 1230 Weston Way Pooler, GA 31322

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Billy W. Smith, State Commander 177 River Oaks Drive Bainbridge, GA 31717 Lori Pipes, Auxiliary President

396 Deals Circle, S.

Jewish War Veterans

Woodbine, GA 31569

Jack Rosenbaum, Commander

1416 Sheffield Drive, NE

Veterans ofWorld War I

Atlanta, GA 30329

Dorothy Robinson, Auxiliary President

Betty Simcox, Auxiliary President

5261 Vivid Dr.

4692 Cedar Parkway

Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Military Order of the Purple Heart Jim Randles,Commander

Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Inc. Marvin Myers, President 5879 New Peachtree Road

1700 Clairmont Road

Doraville, GA 30340

Decatur, GA 30033 Joan G. Sylvester, Auxiliary President

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

4463 Princeton Terrace

Albert Lewis, President

Decatur, Georgia 30035

403 Norman Lane

Warner Robins, GA 31093

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25

Billy W. Smith >tate Commander
2001-2002

liletmms of iFaretgn

nf tin' llniti'h States

^Bepartment nf OiEnrgta
Phone: (478) 474-3737 Fax: (478) 474-6853
Email: gahq@gavfw.org

177 River Oaks Dr. Bainbridge, GA 31717 Home: (229) 246-6292 Fax: (229) 243-0424 Email: bwrsmith@surfsouth.con

December, 2001

Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building - Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800

Dear Commission Wheeler:

Another year of working for our veterans will soon end. On behalf of the Department of Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary, 1 want to personally thank you and your staff for the superb support provided to our veterans and their families.

Our Department is also grateful for the partnership with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Combining our efforts to ensure that veterans are treated as the "special and unique" has worked in Georgia.

We also want to commend you for maintaining the excellent network of Veterans Service Field Officers. Regardless of where our veterans reside, none of them have to commute long distances to obtain timely and expert service relating to claims issues. I understand that this is one of the best Veterans Service Networks in the nation.

We certainly appreciate your supervisory and technical support provided during the past few years to make the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville a reality. The dedication of this cemetery on December 11, 2001, was a proud day for all veterans in Georgia.

Commissioner Wheeler, we enjoy our relationship with your Department and know that it will continue.

The Department of Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary are always ready to assist you in any way possible to help our veterans and their families.

As always, it has been a pleasure working with your Department.

With warm personal regards,

Billy W. Smith State Commander

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(Department of Georgia Ladies JhuQliary To The
Veterans ofForeign `Wars oftHe VailedStates
December 2001
Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Commissioner Wheeler:
On behalf of the nearly 8,000 members of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Georgia, I want to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for the exceptional service you provide to our Veterans and their families throughout Georgia.
Along with our parent organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, we value the partnership that has existed between our organization and your Department which consistently ensures that all veterans, their widows and orphans receive all federal, state and local government benefits to which they are entitled.
We look forward to the continuing association with you and the Department of Veterans Service. Please do not hesitate to call upon the Ladies Auxiliary if there is anyway we can assist you.
With warm personal regards,
Lori A. Pipes President 2001-2002

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27

DISABLED HMERICRN UETERRNS
Department of Georgia
4462 Houston Ruenue, Macon, Georgia 31206 Telephone (478) 781-7336 FRH (478) 788-2934
February 26, 2002
Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-978 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Commissioner Wheeler:
On behalf of the Disabled American Veterans, Department of Georgia, it is my pleasure to convey to you our appreciation for all your efforts, and those of your staff, for the veterans of Georgia.
You are to commended for all that you do, and I know that your continuing endeavors will be successful. Thanks to you, the quality of life for veterans in Georgia continues to improve. Your forethought, planning and expertise in securing support for your projects have resulted in many benefits which Georgia veterans now enjoy.
It is my hope that you will continue for many years to work for the advancement of benefits for veterans in Georgia.
May God Bless America - and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM L. COWARD, SR. Department Commander

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department of <8eorfli'a
Btsableb American Veterans ^uxtltarp

February, 2002
The Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veteran Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Honorable Wheeler:
The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary for the State of Georgia cannot say enough to thank you for all your contributions for veterans and their families.
With your continued lobbying for benefits for the veterans and their families, they (the veterans) have always counted on you for your continued service. One of your many goals of having a Veterans Cemetery in Milledgeville shows of your successful accomplishments.
Just saying thank you cannot express the gratitude and appreciation for all that you have done for our veterans and their families.
We wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors throughout your remaining years as the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veteran Services.
The DAV Auxiliary wants to thank you for all that you have done for our organization.
Sinr.(=>rplv
Dorothy L. Smith, Commander Department of Georgia

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29

DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA
December 27,2001 Honorable Pete Wheeler. Commissioner Department of Veterans Affairs Floyd Veterans Memorial Building,Suite E 970 Atlanta, Georgia 30034 Honorable Pete Wheeler Commissioner, Dept, of Veterans Affairs Floyd Veteran Memorial Bid. Suite E 970 Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner: On behalf of the AMVETS Department of Georgia, 1 would like to express our sincere thanks for the many contributions that your office has provided the veterans of this great state over the past several years.
The veterans of Georgia should be proud to know, they have a state veterans office, that is concerned and dedicated to the caring and welfare of the veterans in Georgia.
It has been a real pleasure to work with you this past year. .We thank you for your support in making the opening of the veterans memorial cemetery in Milledgeville a reality.
Thank you for all you do for veterans and their families. Please feel free to call on us anytime that we may be of assistance to you or your staff.
Sincerely,
Lucius Brandon, State Commander of Georgia
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v/ tW////\ rvwvla v/ ^ AMVETS ^

AMVETS LADIES AUXILIARY Department of Georgia

December 30, 2001
Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Commissioner Wheeler:
On behalf of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department of Georgia, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the many services that your Department has continued to provide to Georgia's veterans. We realize the budget is tight and certainly hope that we can continue to provide the services to Georgia's veterans which has been promised over the years.
We thank you for including our auxiliaries when the need arises for letters and communications relative to legislative issues. We appreciate you calling our attention to facts about our Georgia veterans as well as things going on in Washington, which ultimately relates to our veterans at home.
It has been my pleasure to work with you over the years. We were delighted to be a part of the POW/MIA ceremony at the Rest Stop near Forsyth and the dedication of the Veterans Cemetery at Milledgeville.
Thank you for all that you do for veterans and their families. Please feel free to call on us if we can assistance you or your department.
Sincerely,
i ULf*'
Evie J. bright State President

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31

THE AMERICAN LEGION
DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA

Bennie Joe McDonald Commander American Legion Department of Georgia 3035 ML Zion Road Stockbridge, Georgia 30281

January 30, 2002

Commissioner Pete Wheeler Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Commissioner Wheeler,
On behalf of the over 55,000 members of Georgia's American Legion, it's Ladies Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion, I would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for your untiring dedication and commitment towards improving the quality of life of our veterans and their dependents.
We salute your accomplishments over the past half-century that's provided those men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces with the very best in benefits and care. We realize just how fortunate our veterans are to have such an outstanding professional as you with vision and foresight to oversee the daily matters of our veteran affairs. We know that you will continue the fight for the betterment of ALL veterans.
It is equally gratifying to see your genuine attitude displayed in the daily work of your staff which care enough to "go the extra mile" to help any veteran get what benefits and care he or she is entitled. Georgia's veterans can rest assure their welfare and concerns has been and always will be your number one priority.
We have the highest respect for you and your accomplishments. Our best wishes to you and your staff for continued success.

Joe McDonald Department Commander

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MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART

-

Chartered By Congress

17S2

1932

February 15, 2002
Pete Wheeler Commissioner, Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30034
Dear Commissioner Wheeler;
Once again as the Department Commander for the Military Order of Purple Heart, I want to thank you and your staff for the excellent service you provide the veterans and their dependents.
It is with pleasure that I personally thank you for your personal commitment to the veterans of Georgia. It was great day when you proudly helped dedicate the new State Veterans Memorial Cemetery. It was a project long in completing, but the finished product is fabulous. A most fitting resting place to memorialize the veterans of Georgia. I know you will continue be the beacon that all veterans in can cling to. Thank you again for all you do and difference you make.
_a JO Yours in Patriotism,
James Randles Denartment Commander
{
\

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33

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

December 30, 2001

COMMANDER

The Honorable Pete Wheeler Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Commissioner Wheeler,
As the Southeast Department Commander for the Jewish War Veterans of the U. S. A. and joined by our Auxiliary, I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to you for your untiring effort and hard work on behalf of all veterans and their families.
Commissioner Wheeler, you are truly one of a kind - the very best among veteran advocates. And how refreshing is it to see a man of your statute be so down to earth with everyone you meet! Even with streets, auditoriums, plazas, and buildings bearing your name, you make everyone feel special and welcome. You are a real "mensch"!
We deeply appreciate the hard work of your loyal staff. You lead by example. It is because of their job dedication and positive attitude that our veterans in Georgia are always assured to receive all benefits to which they are entitled.
We are so grateful for all that you have done for veterans and their families. We thank you and wish you many more years of continued success. We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship.

Jack Roseribaum Commander

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^ fin Service to AmericaT"?

Vietnam Veterans ofAmerica
Georgia State Council 504 Eisenhower Dr. Hinesville, GA 31313 1-888-VVA-VETS Fax: 912-368-7016
A Not-For-Profit Veterans Service Organization Chartered by the United States Congress

Monday, January 14. 2002
Mr. Albert Q. Lewis 403 Norman Lane Warner Robins, GA 31093
Honorable Mr. Pete Wheeler Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-966 Atlanta, GA 30334-4800
Mr. Wheeler,
The Georgia State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America would like to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to you and your staff for the wonderful support you have rendered Veterans throughout the State of Georgia. We have been fortunate to witness tremendous strides in the support of Veterans and the highly visible accomplishments you have helped to make possible. Because of your efforts, we are able to see the POW-MIA flag flown at all Georgia rest stops along the interstate highway system. Along with the flag are plaques, which are a testimony to the sacrifices Georgians have paid for freedom. Milledgeville is now the home to our newest Veterans Cemetery. These and countless other endeavors have endeared you to the Veterans community throughout Georgia. America is again at War and a new generation of Veterans are in the embryonic stage of their life. As the situation in Afghanistan intensifies, more Americans will experience the reality of war. We must provide our service members all the support and assistance necessary to return them to productive members of our society. We have the utmost faith that the Georgia Department of Veterans Service will be ready to assist our returning Veterans. The Vietnam Veterans of America who's founding principle is " never again will one generation of veteran abandon another," stands ready to assist in any way possible. Respectfully,

Albert Q. Lewis President Georgia State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America

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35

The Georgia Retired Officers Association, Inc.

Affiliated with The Retired Officers association.

Incorporated March 14,1955

Post Office Box 21186

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Officers for 2002
President: Robert L. Carusle Lt. Col. USAF-Ret. 348 Stone Mill Drive Brunswick, GA 31520 (912)262-6916 RLC348<J U NO. COM
1 ST VICE PRESIDENT Lee Thompson CDR, USN, Ret. 4 Ribault Lane Savannah, GA 31411 (912) 5980052 Leesandy@bellsouth.net
SECRETARY Shel Miller CWO, USA Ret. 3384 Hidden Acres Drive Atlanta, GA 30340
SHELMILLER@MINDSPRINO.COM
TREASURER Jerry Rhyne COL, USA, Ret. 106 Pine View Drive Brunswick, GA 31523 (912)261-0641 rhynej@oate.net
CHAPLAIN Norvell Knight Captain, USN, Ret. 3807 Spring Meadow Drive Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-4726 N EK3807@AOl_ COM
PRESIDENT EMERITUS John Nixon Major, USMC, Ret. Warner Robins, GA
Chapters Albany Athens area Atlanta August Blue Ridge Mountains Chattahoochee Valley Golden isles Lafayette Liberty McIntosh trail Middle Georgia Milledgeville Area Northeast Georgia Okefenokee Savannah Area

12 December 2001
Honorable Pete Wheeler Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Commissioner Wheeler,
On behalf of the members of The Georgia Retired Officers Associa tion, I want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to you and the department employees for the outstanding dedication and service provided to Georgia veterans and their families. The out standing job performed by the Veterans Service Officers across Georgia, each year, also reflects credit upon your leadership.
Year 2001 was a year of many veteran recognition accomplishments by the Georgia Legislature. I am sure your office played a part in these initiatives becoming law.
We look forward to our continuing association with you and the De partment of Veterans Service. We are fortunate to live in a state that places such a high regard for those who have worn the military uni form. Thank you for your fifty plus years of service to Georgia veterans.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Carlisle, Lt Col, USAF, Retired State President

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vx

Marvin Myers President

'In Service To Veterans, Their Families, and Community"

February 21, 2002

Honorable Peter Wheeler Commissioner of Veterans Services State of Georgia Floyd Memorial Building Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Pete,
Well, you did show us at the opening of the Veterans Cemetery in Milledgeville that your department did produce the most beautiful resting place 1 have ever seen for veterans. You kept telling us it was going to be just that. I have told all of our members we are very fortunate to live in a state where the veteran is honored. Much of that credit goes to you and your department.
In addition I would also like to pass along supreme praise for your veterans service officers. A couple of months ago a lady called our office to tell me of a Korean veteran in severe financial distress. This was due to injuries suffered and a drastic deterioration of his health. I was able to hook her up with one of your service officers and within a matter of weeks he was drawing a pension. His health is still wretched, but he and his wife can now eat and pay utility bills. Your staff accomplished this quickly and efficiently. We do appreciate your efforts.
We have a war veteran's home for our retired veterans and special tags for our autos. For a veteran this is a great state. Thank you for your leadership over the years Pete and we thank your wonderful staff.
Sincerely,

Marvin Myers President

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37

THE RETIRED SERGEANTS MAJOR ASSOCIA TION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA PO BOX 4741
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31904
February 4, 2002 Commissioner Pete Wheeler Floyd Veterans Bldg, Suit E970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800 Dear Mr. Wheeler; We the members of the Retired Sergeants Major Association of Columbus, Georgia would like to thank you and your staff for the outstanding job that you are doing for the veterans and their families. I personally want to thank Mr. Lionel Haynes, Sr. for his personal time and support that he has dedicated to our community. Once again we express our sincere thanks,

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A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

From the desk of: WILLIAM M. DETWEILER, SECRETARY 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 106A Metairie, LA 70005 Phone: (504) 834-1700 Fax: (504) 834-1727 E-mail: PNCWMD@aol.com

THE NATIONAL D-DAY MUSEUM NEW ORLEANS

January 14, 2002

Ttie National D-Day Museum Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Dept, of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Bldg. 205 Butler Street, Ste. E-970 Atlanta, GA 30334
RE: The National D-Day Museum In Re: Pacific Wing Dedication - December 6-9, 2001
Dear Pete:

Board of Directors 2001-2002
Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose Founder
Officers Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger
Chairman Herschel L. Abbott, Jr.
1st Vice-Chair Commodore Thomas J. Lupo
2nd Vice-Chair William M. Detweiler
Secretary Harold J.Bouillion
Treasurer Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller
President & CEO

On behalf of the Chairman and Board of Directors of The National D-Day Museum, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for your publicizing and taking an interest in the Grand Opening and Dedication events of the Museum.
Your assistance contributed much to the success and to the Museum's goal of recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifices of the Pacific Veterans of World War II and the Americans who worked on the home front in support of their efforts.
Our mission at the Museum is to ensure that the memories and heroism of the Veterans of World War II and the sacrifices of the home front workers in their support, is never forgotten. Your participation in the Grand Opening of the Pacific Wing greatly assisted the Museum in meeting this responsibility.
Again, with sincere appreciation, I remain,
Very truly yours.

ecretary WMD/rlc cc: Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller, President

. DETWEILER

Members Hugh Ambrose Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Dr. Douglas Brinkley Paul D. Buckley Dr. Leonard L. Burns The Hon. Jacguelyn B. Clarkson John J. Cordaro W.E. "Billy" Coyle, Jr. Arthur Q. Davis The Hon. Hunt Downer Alan I. Franco Howard C. Gaines Jerome Goldman Ron J. Henson Susan 0. Hess Marvin L. Jacobs John J. Kelly BGen. Robert J. Koch,
USA (Ret.) John E. Kushner John P. Laborde Sheriff Harry Lee Dr. Ralph Lupin MGen. James E. Livingston,
USMC (Ret.) Nolan A. Marshall, Sr. Dr. Gregory M. O'Brien Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. The Hon. James M. Singleton
Thomas Snedeker Ted G. Solomon James H. Stone David R. Voelker Ted Weggeland Elizabeth M. Williams

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

39

GEORGIA

VETERANS DAY

PARADE ASSOCIATION

OF ATLANTA, INC.

2001 OFFICERS
and DIRECTORS
Marvin Myers, President O: (770) 458-7934 H: (678)474-4999 FAX: (678) 474-4900 Cell: (678) 361-7157
James Blaylock, Vice President O: (404) 728-4149 FAX: (404) 728-4162
Robert L. Hopkins, Treasurer H: (770) 394-1329 O: (6781731-0007 x214 FAX: (678) 731-0006
Judy Humphries, Secretary H: (770)993-8312 O: (7701528-2611 FAX: (770) 528-2606

February 21, 2002
Honorable Pete Wheeler Commissioner of Veterans Services State of Georgia Floyd Memorial Building Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Pete,
We again thank you for a great Veterans Day proclamation ceremony. As always it was first class and certainly well attended. You and your staff are to be commended for the splendid honoring of all of Georgia's veterans.

DIRECTORS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS Molly Courtney O: (440) 321-6111 x7069 H: (404 634-9453 Pager: (404)722-2111
PARADE DAY Rich Sale O: (404) 696-1515x246 H: (770)786-7001
BANQUET Jan Myers H: (770)232-1317 Pager: [770) 201-1702 Ceil: (678) 777-1057
PROGRAM David C. Luttrell H: (770)979-8811 Fax: (770) 979-0590 Cell: (770) 826-8308
GEORGIA DEFENSE FORCE Andy Wysor H: (770) 925-0249 O: (678)442-8111 x103
VETERAN GROUPS & AUXILIARIES Bob Pickens - VFW H:(770)981-9088
Charies French, American Legion H: (404) 696-6620 O: (404) 656-1710
Jack Moses - OTHERS H: (770) 889-4683
PARADE ARCHIVE Senator Joe Burton (404) 636-3500

I would also like to thank you for the fine coverage of Veterans Day in the Veterans Bulletin. Veterans Day is the one day set aside to honor veterans of all wars. It is because of your efforts that our community awareness is raised. As important is the publicity you made possible in the Bulletin so that others will remember to stop and thank our veterans for the freedom we all enjoy. We as veterans feel it is a special day and that we can be proud of our service to America. Your efforts show all of us that our country does care and is grateful for the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country.
This past year has made all of us more aware that a strong military is the key to a peaceful nation. Out of this will come a new crop of veterans and I know you will welcome them into the brotherhood of Georgia Veterans.
Thank you again, Pete.

Sincerely,
Marvin Myers President

^

40

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

DEPARTMENT OF V ETERANS AFFAIRS Regional Office
1700 Clairmont Road Decatur, OA 30033

December 14, 2001

Pete Wheeler Commissioner of Veterans Affairs State Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta. GA 30334

In Reply Refer To: 316/00

Dear Commissioner Wheeler:

As the end of 2001 approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you our major accomplishments and events that have taken place during the year.

VETERANS SERVICE CENTER

Improvement was shown in the number of days to complete rating related actions. The average number of days to complete these actions went from 219 days in October 2000 down to 196 days in 2001. Average days to complete non-rating related actions remain essentially unchanged from last year of 51 days to complete.

The Service Center is involved in a pre-discharge program at three military installations. We conducted 1,056 briefings last year at which 19,536 service members attended. Additionally. 16,224 interviews were conducted and 1,190 pre-discharge claims were taken.

The Atlanta RO has been very active in numerous outreach activities with the VA Medical Centers. We also participated in three VAMC sponsored Health Fairs in the metro Atlanta area, partnered with the Shepard Spinal Clinic to provide benefits information to veterans hospitalized at that facility and participated in Georgia Department of Consumer Affairs Public Information and Education Exposition. Monthly meetings of Homeless Action Group Task Force for the Homeless, Hassle Free Community and Veterans Team meetings are attended by some of our staff. The Regional Office is equally involved in monthly meetings of the Women's Veterans Program and Prisoner of War organization.

EDUCATION

Education Division processed 232,024 education end products for FY 2001. This represents 24.6% of the national workload for education. We provided education benefits to 102,661 trainees and paid out approximately $260,000,000 in educational benefits.

Changes in workload distribution improved the number of cases worked per employee as shown in timeliness data. Processing original claims improved by 41 days and supplementals improved by five days over the last fiscal year.

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

41

Page 2
The Regional Office increased the number of incoming telephone lines from 24 to 40 to handle the increasing number of education related calls. Because of this we have reduced our blocked call rate.
[.PAN Ol ARANTY
The continued economic growth in the Southeast, coupled with favorable market conditions created a high demand for new VA guaranteed home loans. The Atlanta Regional Loan Center guaranteed 31,364 loans during the past year. While migration to the region and a generally positive economic environment have created high loan demand, there is another segment of the population that has experienced financial setbacks due to changing family situations, illness and fluctuations in the economy. While much of our effort is directed toward helping veterans achieve homeownership, we also help veterans keep their homes during times of temporary economic setbacks. We have targeted areas near large military bases for direct outreach to delinquent homeowners. Of the borrowers that met with our counselors, we were successful in helping 75% of them retain their homes. Delivery of the home loan benefit continues long after the loan has closed and the veteran has moved in.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT
During the past year the overall workload increased. Total veterans in receipt of services jumped from 2406 in FY 00 to 2955 in FY 01. The number of veterans rehabilitated was 218. Our rehabilitation goal for this fiscal year is set at 300.
Contracting out of comprehensive evaluations was discontinued for the Atlanta area. In its place, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment designated a testing area in the office and hired two employees to do the testing and interpretation. The transition from contracting out to on-site testing was very smooth. One of the immediate benefits that has been realized from these functions being handled in-house has been the streamlining of the entire process for veterans.
PROGRAM INTEGRITY
Federal criminal complaints were filed in US District Court (Northern District of Georgia) alleging that one current and two former employees along with 10 others conspired to embezzle over $10 million in VA benefits. This was allegedly accomplished through a scheme of temporarily resurrecting and changing names of deceased veterans and having retroactive benefits checks issued to several of the defendants. We at the Atlanta Regional Office were shocked and appalled by the alleged embezzlement. A series of management actions local and nationally are now in place to safeguard against potential problems in the authorization of benefit payments. Additionally, these measures will ensure that other weaknesses are identified and corrected.
VA has recently established the Office of Program Integrity to specifically address issues of internal and external fraud, waste and abuse. Upper management will review all large retroactive payments. Enhanced quality reviews aimed at the individual employee's work are being implemented and a portion of the review will focus on internal controls. Reviews on Social Security Death Match Program and oversight of the Regional Office Death Match Coordinators have increased to reduce possible weaknesses. It has been rewarding to work with you and your staff in serving Georgia veterans and their dependents. As we move into the new year, I look forward to continuing our spirit of cooperation and service.
Our best wishes to you, your families and friends for a happy holiday season.
Sincerely,

P. K. COURTNEY Director

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

Field Offices

OFFICE

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX

COUNTIES SERVED

Steve Shaddix, Manager Bill Cash, VBC Brenda Rachel, VBC
Vicki King, VBC
Carol Phagan, VBC

102 N. Washington Street, Suite 402 Albany 31701 Phone: 229-430-1797, 1798 FAX: 229-430-1796
500 W. Lamar Street, Room 28 Americus 31709 Phone: 229-931-2546 FAX: 229-931-5151
Courthouse, Room 107 Cordele 31015-4216 Phone: 229-276-2366 FAX: 229-276-2734

AMERICUS See Albany-Americus-Cordele Division

ATHENS - ELBERTON DIVISION

'

Gary W. Locke, Jr., Manager Harry Evans, VBC Sharon Johnson, VBC

Jefferson Professional Park, Suite 19 855 Sunset Drive Athens 30606-2285 Phone: 706-369-5630,5631 FAX: 706-369-5998

Joe Massey, VBC

203 Elbert Street Elberton 30635 Phone: 706-213-2040 FAX: 706-213-2094

ATLANTA - FIELD SERVICE AND CLAIMS DIVISIONS

Max Cotter, Asst. Commissioner Field Service
Rick Roby, Sr. Claims Counselor Lenora Evans, VBC

Floyd Veterans Memorial Bldg., E-367 Atlanta 30334-4800 Phone: 404-656-5940 FAX: 404-657-1288

Jim Frederick, Asst. Commissioner Claims

1700 Clairmont Road Decatur 30033 Phone: 404-929-5345 FAX: 404-929-5347

Dooly Dougherty
Lee Macon
Sumter

Marion Schley Terrell Webster

Crisp

Barrow Clarke Jackson

Madison Oconee Oglethorpe

Elbert

Fulton
Clayton Fulton

[For a complete listing of Claims Staff Personnel, see Special Services Units following this directory.]

Note: VBC is abbreviation for Veterans Benefits Counselor

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

43

OFFICE
Lamar Faircloth, Manager , Asst. Manager Barbara Johnson, VBC Angela Old, VBC Gerald Clayton, VBC

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX

1101 Fifteenth Street Augusta 30901-3196 Phone: 706-721-4301,4302 FAX: 706-721-6015

mmm

Burke County Office Park, Room 107
715 West 6th Street, PO Box 93 Waynesboro 30830-0093 Phone: 706-554-3874 FAX: 706-554-4496

COUNTIES Columbia Burke

SERVED Richmond

BAINBRIDGE

Craig Couturier, Manager Terri Hurst, VBC
BLAIRSVILLE

307 E. Broughton Street Bainbridge 31717 Phone: 229-248-2599, 2663 FAX: 229-243-5362

Baker Calhoun
Clay Decatur Early

Miller Mitchell Quitman Randolph Seminole

Roy E. Hamby, Manager Barbara Collins, Secretary II

Courthouse Annex, 301 School Circle PO Box 782 Blairsville 30514-0782 Phone/FAX: 706-745-6341

Fannin Rabun

Towns Union

BRUNSWICK
Terry Smith, Manager Christine Herring, VBC

Office Park Bldg., Suite 109 1803 Gloucester Street Brunswick 31520-6904 Phone: 912-262-2345, 912-264-7360 FAX: 912-261-3937

Camden Glynn

McIntosh

CANTON

Jay Johnson, Manager Rita Barnhart, VBC

130 E. Main Street, Suite 108 Canton 30114-2729 Phone/FAX: 770-720-3538

CAR. ROLLTON

See Newnan - Thomaston - Carrollton Divison

TT-*

CARTERSVILLE

, `V T i

. if

' ,

See Dalton - Cartersville - LaFayette Division

.. -.C .

Cherokee Cobb

Gilmer Pickens

44

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

OFFICE CEDARTOWN See Rome - Cedartown Division

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX . : k . I;.- '?.; il>

COUNTIES SERVED '

CLARKESVILLE - TOCCOA - HARTWELL DIVISION

B.C. Fowler, Manager William Tucker, VBC
(Tuesdays & Thursdays only)

120 E. Louise Street POBox 1135 Clarkesville 30523 Phone: 706-754-4316 FAX: 706-754-9185
Courthouse Annex, Room 100 102 West Tugalo Street Toccoa 30577 Phone: 706-282-4525 FAX: 706-282-4800

Dale Bell, VBC

185 W. Franklin Street Courthouse Annex Hartwell 30643-1594 Phone: 706-376-4461 FAX: 706-856-2737

COLUMBUS

`

'

, ,

3'*^ '

A1 Rivera, Manager Lionel Haynes, Sr., VBC Cynthia Hymon, VBC

Jackson Square, 15th Street Bldg. A, Room 2-B Columbus 31901 Phone: 706-649-1264 FAX: 706-649-1726

CONYERS

Tommy Clack, Manager Mylene Brett, VBC

1329 Portman Drive, Suite A Conyers 30094-6619 Phone: 770-388-5075 FAX: 770-785-6868

CORDELE

See Albany-Americus-Cordele Division

DALTON - CARTERSVILLE - LAFAYETTE DIVISION

Robert S. Turner, Supervisor, Area 3 Judy Johnson, VBC
Jack Goodwin, Manager

City Park Annex, 210 Thornton PO Box 1104 Dalton 30722-1104 Phone: 706-272-2355 FAX: 706-272-2335
320 W. Cherokee Ave., Rm. 105 PO Box 876 Cartersville 30120 Phone: 770-387-3746 FAX: 770-387-4077

Banks Habersham

White

Franklin

Stephens

Hart

Chattahoochee Muscogee

Stewart

Rockdale Newton

Walton

Catoosa Murray

Whitfield

Bartow

Paulding

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

45

OFFICE

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX

.

- ':

..........

DALTON^CARTERSVILLE p. LAI'AYETTE DIVISION (cont'd)

Anita Boxall, VBC

Judiciary Annex, 108-E Villanow Street LaFayette 30728-2519 Phone: 706-638-5544 FAX: 706-639-2046

DL^LIN^ EASTMAN DIVISION::

Ben Hitson, Manager Ben Harrell, VBC
Mike Martin, VBC
ELBERTON See Athens-Elberton Division GAINESVILLE

Carl Vinson VAMC, Room 124-6, Ward 6A 1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin 31021-3699 Phone: 478-272-4266 FAX: 478-274-7802
636 Oak Street, SE Eastman 31023 Phone: 478-374-6977 FAX: 478-374-6551

'

:

Stephen R. Deitz, Manager Cassandra Edwards, VBC

311 Green Street, NW, Room 307 Gainesville 30501-3764 Phone: 770-531-6060 FAX: 770-531-6061

GLENNVILLE

Clarence R. Adams, Manager Teresa Bigelow, VBC

"j-i i-

. . . t , v

GREENSBORO

Glennville Multi Office Complex 705 N. Caswell Street, PO Box 444 Glennville 30427-0444 Phone: 912-654-5159 FAX: 912-654-5179
':

See Washington-Greensboro Division GRIFFIN

Mike Roby, Supervisor, Area 2 Ted Opper, VBC

* '** HA.RT.W. ELL

.- '

235-A E. Slaton Avenue Griffin 30223 Phone: 770-412-4023 FAX: 770-467-6099

See Clarkesville - Toccoa - Hartwell Division

V.i1, :/yti.

COUNTIES
Chattooga Dade
Bleckley Johnson Laurens
Dodge
Dawson Forsyth Gwinnett
Bryan Liberty Long
Butts Fayette Flenry

SERVED Walker
Pulaski Treutlen
Hall Lumpkin
Tattnall Wayne
Pike Spalding Talbot

46

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

OFFICE

*. l

'

LAGRANGE

Silas Vance, Manager Toni Fox, VBC

LYONS - MCRAE DIVISION Jay Howell, Manager

Loran Bryant, VBC

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX
[
189 S. Davis Road LaGrange 30241-2819 Phone: 706-845-4095 FAX: 706-845-4485

COUNTIES SERVED

Harris Heard

Meriwether Troup

126 West Grady Avenue, PO Box 833 Lyons 30436 Phone: 912-526-8860 FAX: 912-526-4285
411 W. Oak Street McRae 31055 Phone: 229-868-6391 FAX: 229-868-4972

Appling Coffee Jeff Davis
Telfair

Montgomery Toombs Wheeler

Robert A. Lindsay, Manager George Canavaggio, VBC Clay Harrell, VBC

.a



MCRAE

See Lyons-McRae Division

MILLEDGEVILLE
Ernie Simons, Manager Vivian Howard, VBC Melanie Kay, VBC

653 Second Street, Room 203 Macon 31201-2817 Phone: 478-751-3186,3187 FAX: 478-751-6594
Georgia State War Veterans Home Wheeler Building, PO Box 741 Milledgeville 31059-0741 Phone: 478-445-4751,478-445-6900 FAX: 478-445-3139

Bibb Crawford
Jasper Jones

Lamar Monroe Twiggs

Baldwin Hancock Washington

Putnam Wilkinson

See Thomasville-Moultrie Division

-NEWNAN - THOMASTON - CARROLLTON DIVISION

Kenneth Mills, Manager

22 E. Broad Street Newnan 30264 Phone: 770-254-7260 FAX: 770-254-7339

(Wednesdays only)

250 E. Lee Street Government Administrative Complex Thomaston 30286-0461 Phone: 706-646-6035

Hope R. Mincer-Ferguson, Manager

408 N. White Street, Room 601 Carrollton 30117 Phone: 770-836-6760 FAX: 770-836-6844

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

Coweta Upson Carroll

Taylor
47

OFFICE

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX

ROME - CEDARTOWN DIVISION

Raymond Rollins, Manager Denise Frix, VBC
Michael Noles, VBC

201 Calhoun Ave. Rome 30162 Phone: 706-295-6026, 6280 FAX: 706-802-5520
142 West Ave. Cedartown 30125 Phone: 770-749-2209 FAX: 770-749-2266

SAVANNAH

George Foley, Manager Carl Wilson, Assistant Manager Jewel Middleton-James, VBC

440 Mall Blvd., Suite E Savannah 31406-4823 Phone: 912-356-2537 FAX: 912-356-2539

STATESBORO - SWAINSBORO DIVISION

Richard Dunlop, Manager Elizabeth Hunnicutt, VBC

3A West Altman Street Statesboro 30458 Phone: 912-871-1104, 1270 FAX: 912-871-1270

Jo Ann M. Collins, VBC

Emanuel County Office Bldg. 101 N. Main Street, Room 3 Swainsboro 30401 Phone: 478-289-2617 FAX:

SWAINSBORO

See Statesboro - Swainsboro Division

-289-2704

THOMASTON See Newnan - Thomaston - Carrollton Division

THOMASVILLE - MOULTRIE DIVISION

Jerry Poole, Manager Larry Price, VBC
Larue Calhoun, VBC

101 S. Broad Street Thomasville 31792 Phone: 229-225-4050 FAX: 229-227-2418
County Gov't. Bldg., Room 210 1220 S. Main Street, PO Box 386 Moultrie 31776-0386 Phone: 229-891-7135 FAX 229-891-7098

COUNTIES SERVED

Douglas Floyd

Gordon Haralson

Polk

Chatham

Bulloch Candler Effingham
Emanuel

Evans Jenkins Screven

Grady

Thomas

Colquitt

48

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

OFFICE

ADDRESS - PHONE- FAX

TIFTON
Ed Irby, Manager Sandra Wood, VBC

Tift County Admin. Bldg., Suite 111 225 Tift Avenue, PO Box 534 Tifton 31793-0534 Phone: 229-386-3856 FAX: 229-386-7386

TOCCOA

See Clarkesville-Toccoa-Hartwell Division

VALDOSTA Ed Kent, Manager Joyce Boyd, VBC
Phil Youngblood, Area I Supervisor

2517-C1 Bemiss Road Valdosta 31602-1938 Phone: 229-333-2178,2179 FAX: 229-259-5583
Valdosta VA Outpatient Clinic 3123 N. Ashley Street, Room 102 Valdosta 31602 Phone: 229-293-0152 FAX: 229-293-0162

WARNER ROBINS

;> '

" ij'i * U ` ^ V"

Mike Bates, Manager

City Hall, Room 206 700 Watson Blvd. Warner Robins 31093-3414 Phone: 478-929-1126 FAX: 478-929-1124

WASHINGTON - GREENSBORO DIVISION

Perry Morgan, Manager Jan Callaway, VBC
(Tuesdays and Fridays only) WAYCROSS

Edward B. Pope Community Center 48 Lexington Ave. Washington 30673-0891 Phone/FAX: 706-678-3144
Green Co. Admin. Services Bldg. 201 N. Main Street Greensboro 30642 Phone/FAX: 706-453-7455

Ed Chancey, Manager Glenda Lee, VBC

378 State Street PO Box 172 Waycross 31502-0172 Phone: 912-285-6340 FAX: 912-285-6341

WAYNESBORO See Augusta - Waynesboro Division

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

COUNTIES SERVED

Ben Hill Irwin Tift

Turner Wilcox Worth

Berrien Brooks Cook

Echols Lanier Lowndes

Houston

Peach

Glascock Jefferson Lincoln McDuffie
Greene

Morgan Taliaferro
Warren Wilkes

Atkinson Bacon Brantley Charlton

Clinch Pierce Ware

49

NAME / TITLE Jim Frederick, Assistant Commissioner Frank Boykin, Sr., Claims Counselor Bruce Chillion, Sr., Claims Counselor Tom Cook, Sr. Claims Counselor Charla Jones, Sr. Claims Counselor George Langford, Sr. Claims Counselor Jim Randles, Sr. Claims Counselor Lance Williams, Sr. Claims Counselor Dan Cravey, Sr. Claims Counselor Buddy Craven, Claims Counselor Linda Worthy, Secretary III Annie Eason, Secretary II Linda Williams, Secretary II Secretary II Gary Garlow, Manager Marilyn Ferguson, Hospital Contact
Representative Dave Glass, VBC
, Manager
Ben Hitson, Manager Ben Harrell, VBC
Ernie Simons, Director Russell Feagin, VBC

ADDRESS / PHONE Claims Division 1700 Clairmont Road Decatur, Georgia 300033
VSO: 404-929-5345 FAX: 404-939-5347
VA Hospital - Atlanta 1670 Clairmont Road Room1C208 Decatur, Georgia 30033
VSO: 404-728-7611 FAX: 404-327-4995 VA Hospital: 404-321-6111
Ext. 6357, 6358, 6359
VA Medical Center - Augusta 950 15th Street Room 2D-149 Augusta, Georgia 30914
VSO: 706-823-2218,706-823-3916 FAX: 706-823-1768
Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Room 124-6, Ward 6A 1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin, Georgia 31021
VSO: 478-272-4266 FAX: 478-274-7802 VA Hospital: 478-272-1210
Ext. 2562
Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery 2617 Vinson Highway Milledgeville, Georgia 31061
Phone: 478-445-3363 FAX: 478-445-3360

50

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

Geographic

Distribution of VA

Expenditures for

FY 2001

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION (*) EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION &
PENSION

GEORGIA
APPLING (01) ATKINSON (08) BACON (01) BAKER (02) BALDWIN (Total) (CD 3) (CD 11) BANKS (10) BARROW (10) BARTOW (07) BEN HILL (08) BERRIEN (08) BIBB (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8) BLECKLEY (08) BRANTLEY (01) BROOKS (02) BRYAN (01) BULLOCH (01) BURKE (11) BUTTS (11) CALHOUN (02) CAMDEN (01) CANDLER (01) CARROLL (07) CATOOSA (09) CHARLTON (01) CHATHAM (Total) (GDI) (CD 11) CHATTAHOOCHEE (02) CHATTOOGA (07) CHEROKEE (Total) (CD 6) (CD 9)

1,582 690 916 340
4,881 1,159 3,722 1,251 3.461 6,871 1,655 1,598 17,338 7,388 9,950 1,266 1,393 1,560 2,215 4,171 1,929 1,966
441 4,270
752 8,145 5,477
961 26,716 20,126
6,590 1,636 2,509 12,006 7,311 4,695

1,646,226 853,039
1,169,222 454,998
6,243,905 1,499,448 4,744,456 1,148,252 2,561,836 7,581,550 2,627,484 3,090,069 16,666,696 7,030,812 9,633,285 1,595,062 2,454,213 2,335,940 2,908,722 4,267,807 3,676,768 2,381,640
489,828 5,419,389
890,154 7,298,037 4,540,654 1,448,728 30,224,831 22,780,114 7,444,930 1,614,647 2,925,376 10,851,178 6,590,612 4,260,779

1,518,742 669,158
1,105,530 401,125
5,700,998 1,368,992 4,332,005 1,053,190 2,280,377 6,798,248 2,437,307 2,890,119 14,403,963 6,076,240 8,327,723 1,449,696 2,336,134 2,124,002 2,496.647 3,416,098 3,382,224 2,190,799
425,186 4,683,165
839,251 6.544.358 4,065,525 1,364,821 24,299,755 18,314,409 5,985,346 1,207,837 2,724,709 9,504,636 5,772,698 3,731,938

READJUSTMENT & VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
45,154 146,150
14,789 37,789 274,138 65,916 208,222 28,946 107,887 404,730 97,371 113.490 1,229,562 518,734 708,229 73,164 42,791 121,952 297,360 659,272 190,001 85,516 41,212 522,661 15,389 316,294 156,589 32,266 4,313,854 3,251,348 1,062,719 353,778 57,611 724,197 439,929 284.481

INSURANCE &
INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION &
RELATED COSTS

82,330 37,731 48,903 16,084 268,769 64,540 204,229 66,116 173,572 378.572 92,806 86,460 1,033,171 435,838 597,333 72,202 75,288 89,986 114,715 192,437 104,543 105,325 23,430 213,563 35,514 437,385 324,540 51,641 1,611,222 1,214,357 396,865 53,032 143,056 622,345 377,985 244,360

MEDICAL SERVICES & ADMINISTRATIVE

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION (*) EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION &
PENSION

GEORGIA
CLARKE (10) CLAY (02) CLAYTON (Total) (CD 3) (CD 5) CLINCH (08) COBB (Total) (CD 5) (CD 0) (CD 7) COFFEE (08) COLQUITT (Total) (CD 2) (CDS) COLUMBIA (10) COOK (08) COWETA (03) CRAWFORD (Total) (CD 2) (CD 3) CRISP (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8) DADE (09) DAWSON (09) DECATUR (02) DE KALB (Total) (CD 4) (CDS) (CD 6) (CD 11) DODGE (08) DOOLY (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8)

8,518 303
24,151 19,954 4,196
564 59,157
1,369 40,791 16,997
3,010 3,829
529 3,300 9,543 1,479 7,292 1,071
160 910 2,029 352 1,678 1,466 1,225 2,530 65,507 34,863 1,985 6,752 21,908 1,843 939 825 114

6,644,232 486,762
28,382,255 23,451,103
4,931,366 756,314
32,724,426 732,552
22,351,404 9,643,709 3,763,909 5,976,727 821,248 5,155.092
19,102,007 2,441,831 6,604,374 1,824,289
274,420 1,550,082 2,031,382
354,588 1,677,008 1,085,000 1,193,765 2,663,808 309,636,986 275,228,844 2,228,946 7,636,006 24,546,855 2,585,998
953,807 836,599 117,421

5,429,405 458,090
24,304,708 20,081,960
4,222,749 711,349
26.186,291 592,439
18,079,120 7,514,732 3,443,440 5,527,696
759,378 4,768,318 17,175,655 2,221,477 5,842,757 1,511,397
227,203 1,284,194 1,853,787
323,427 1,530,361
978,457 1,096,590 2,389,516 62,754,212 33,377,744 1,902,647 6,518,600 20,955,221 2,344,467
862,455 756,449 106,006

READJUSTMENT & VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
799.133 12,328
2,606,209 2,153,438
452,984 17,623
2,842,417 64,515
1,965,295 815,846 162,894 241,163 33,314 208,062
1,394,943 138,763 365,397 258,034 38,970 219,277 60,359 10,707 49,865 27,560 37,405 132,627
7.083.638 3,770,775
214,976 736,004 2.365,548 145,725
38,972 34,208
4,977

INSURANCE &
INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION &
RELATED COSTS

MEDICAL SERVICES & ADMINISTRATIVE

415,694 16,344
1,471,338 1,215,705
255,633 27,342
3,341,506 75,598
2,306,989 958,919 157,575 207,868 28,556 179,312 531,409 81,591 396,220 54,858 8,247 46,611 117,236 20,454 96,782 78,983 59,770 141,665
3,671,736 1,952,925
111,323 381,402 1,226,086
95,806 52,380 45,942
6.438

73,146 73,146

281,066 281,066

2,204,591 2,204,591

233,922,809 233,922,809

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

51

OEOORAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION (*) EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION a
PENSION

GEORGIA
DOUGHERTY (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8) DOUGLAS (07) EARLY (02) ECHOLS (08) EFFINGHAM (Total) (CD 1) (CD 11) ELBERT (10) EMANUEL (01) EVANS (01) FANNIN (09) FAYETTE (03) FLOYD (07) FORSYTH (09) FRANKLIN (10) FULTON (Total) (CD 4) (CD 5) (CD 6) GILMER (09) GLASCOCK (11) GLYNN (01) GORDON (09) GRADY (02) GREENE (11) GWINNETT (Total) (CD 4) (CD 8) (CD 10) HABERSHAM (09) HALL (09) HANCOCK (11)

10,595 4,307 6,288 9,255 1,049
263 3,169 2,981
187 1,902 1,824
890 2,021 9,502 9,591 6,268 1,910 73,852 1,549 57,541 14,563 1,701
221 7,974 4,084 2,117 1,139 46,029 33,148 7,460 5,421 3,401 11,779
673

15,022,087 6,094,257 8,928,043 6,874,988 1,149,026
508,555 3,896,358 3,671,847
224,725 2,061,517 2,839,151 1,242,016 3,619,898 10,734,266 7,119,132 1,965,961 2,115,049 92,138,982 1,101,606 80,449,978 10,590,850 2,903,550
259,175 8,519,877 3,642,343 2,468,597 1,400.726 19,046,200 13,683,002 3,109,280 2,254,344 3,768,604 10,397,480 7,495,246

13,289,444 5,391,235 7,898,209 5,923,420 1,059,181 486,625 3,443,212 3,244,801 198,412 1,924,489 2,622,285 1,147,927 3,422,804 9,205,712 6,187,298 1,835,519 1,933,360
45,223,028 938,423
35,261,028 9,023,577 2,719,701 239,449 7,770,047 3.313.773 2,295,477 1,318,151
15,306,350 10,996,204
2,498,609 1,811,537 3,480,886 9,177,603 6,771,650

READJUSTMENT & VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
1,095,083 444,378 650,918 440,373 32,336 7,368 296,962 279,862 17,313 28,312 120,321 46,490 69,208 943,418 356,218 23,290 74,929
3,907,091 81,285
3,049,486 779,772 87,826 8,294 234,853 93,620 52,189 19,588
1,332,449 957,302 217,687 157,886 96,454 593,402 691,342

INSURANCE a
INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION a
RELATED COSTS

MEDICAL
a services
ADMINISTRATIVE

637,560 258,644 378,916 511,195
57,509 14,562 156,184 147,184 9,000 108,716 96,545 47,599 127,886 585,136 575,616 307.152 106,760 3,946,681 81,898 3,077,282 787,501 96,023 11,432 514,977 234,950 120,931 62,987 2,407,401 1,729,496 392,984 284,921 191,264 626,475 32,254

48,020 48,020

39.014,162 39,014.162

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION (*) EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION a
PENSION

GEORGIA
HARALSON (07) HARRIS (03) HART (10) HEARD (07) HENRY (Total) (CD 3) (CD 11) HOUSTON (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8) IRWIN (08) JACKSON (10) JASPER (11) JEFF DAVIS (08) JEFFERSON (11) JENKINS (11) JOHNSON (08) JONES (Total) (CD 3) (CD 8) LAMAR (03) LANIER (08) LAURENS (08) LEE (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8) LIBERTY (01) LINCOLN (10) LONG (01) LOWNDES (Total) (CD 2) (CD 8) LUMPKIN (09) MCDUFFIE (10) MCINTOSH (01)

2,534 2,429 2,215
988 8,538 6,633 1,906 13,674 2,675 10,999
778 3,396
990 1,271 1,415
831 699 2,671 1,728 943 1,495 659 4,532 1,998 384 1,814 6,143 837 794 8,609 1,885 6,724 1,698 2,036 1,048

2,728,406 4,888,742 2,460,578
933,329 10,201,461
7,932,357 2,269,317 15,156,003 2,943,634 12,212,582 1,419,043 3,598,774 1,045,043 1,438.586 2,154,750
965,738 1,506,339 3,784,942 2,435,005 1,350,150 1,837,643 1,133.847 91,864,517 2,058,200
398,369 1,660,044 13,789,048 1,038,682 1,183,580 15,300,112 3,349,866 11,950,459 2.067.485 2,868,333 1,396,949

2,556,408 4,480,586 2,283,509
842,690 8,966,811 6,972,288 1,994,523 13,440,913 2,610,373 10,830,540 1,335,140 3,242,029
968,669 1,365,714 2,007,490
878,309 1,433,578 3,391,954 2,182,112 1,209,842 1,707,760 1,071,985 5,397,381 1,833,418
354,709 1,478,709 11,538,517
974,163 1,008,996 13,391,330 2,931,804 10,459,526 1,829,203 2,611,055 1,296,395

READJUSTMENT a VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
35,158 265,360
48,227 36,564 800,612 622,576 178,249 871,096 169,348 701,961 42,347 174,827 19,821 10,929 75,840 40,352 36,464 238,716 153,647 85,282 46.031 25,565 167,710 125,672 24,485 101,400 1,949,639 14,312 129,985 1,432,449 313,777 1,118,885 152,996 145,085 39,393

INSURANCE a
INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION &
RELATED COSTS

MEDICAL
SERVICES a
ADMINISTRATIVE

136,840 142,796 128,842
54,075 434.038 337,493
96,545 843,994 163,913 680,081
41,556 181,918
56,553 61,943 71,420 47,077 36,297 154,272 99,246 55,026 83,852 36,297 272.420 99,110 19,175 79,935 300,892 50,207 44,599 476,333 104,285 372,048 85,286 112,193 61,161

1,154.973

84,872,034

52
TS

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION (*) EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION &
PENSION

GEORGIA
MACON (02) MADISON (10) MARION (02) MERIWETHER (Total) (CD 2) (CD 3) MILLER (02) MITCHELL (02) MONROE (03) MONTGOMERY (01) MORGAN (10) MURRAY (09) MUSCOGEE (Total) (CD 2) (CD 3) NEWTON (10) OCONEE (10) OGLETHORPE (10) PAULDING (07) PEACH (Total) (CD 2) (CD 3) PICKENS (09) PIERCE (01) PIKE (03) POLK (07) PULASKI (08) PUTNAM (11) QUITMAN (02) RABUN (09) RANDOLPH (02) RICHMOND (Total) (CD 10) (CD 11) ROCKDALE (04)

1,170 2,525
609 2,190 1,201
989 523 1,785 2,000 711 1,393 2,841 23,403 10,586 12,817 5,031 2,116 1,105 5,442 2,402 908 1,494 1,745 1,578 1,337 3,676 910 1,870 244 1,656 659 23,863 13,393 10,470 7,231

947,752 2,818,662 1,030,104 3,061,086 1,679,007 1,382,292
580,528 2,010,638 1,442,499 1,000,700 1,275,148 2,435,896 67,115,804 30,172,064 36.943.740 2,387,915 1,728,046 1,130,902 3,833,318 2,866,364 1,085,209 1,781,368 2,879,943 2,680,199 1,129,618 11.773,588 1,156,014 1,763,068
415,645 2,125,586
747,255 241,842.191 215.926,907
25,915,497 3,178,619

839,344 2,608,586
961,421 2,820,135 1,546,756 1,273.379
533,189 1,811,586 1,272,355
948,086 1,172,461 2,151,358 59,566,457 26,779,471 32,786,986 2,078,508 1,536,050 1,047,540 3,373,479 2,544,113
963,087 1,581,026 2,651,001 2,540,416 1,021,100 10,792,227 1,055,593 1,607,435
399,155 1,975,494
691,079 52,669,920 29,591,331 23,078,589
2,488,107

READJUSTMENT & VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
49,508 71,627 35,864 115,021 63,182 52,052 19,215 107,289 57,472 19,534 23,921 140,134 6,074,530 2,729,555 3,344,975 31,466 83,063 23,983 208,458 187,541 71,127 116,627 134,310 51,889 30,013 785,577 49,606 44,309
2,058 37,420 20,792 4,987,560 2,802,234 2,185,539 268,993

INSURANCE &
INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION &
RELATED COSTS

MEDICAL SERVICES * ADMINISTRATIVE

58,900 138,449
32,819 125,930
69,069 56,861 28,124 91,763 112,672 33,080 78,766 144,404 1,474,817 663,038 811,779 277.941 108,933 59,379 251,381 134,710 50,995 83,715 94,632 87,894 78,505 195,784 50,815 111,324 14,432 112,672 35,384 1,486,553 835,184 651,369 421,519

932,979 932,979

181.765.179 181.765.179

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION (*) EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION .
PENSION

GEORGIA

SCH -cY (02) SCREvEN (11) SEMINOLE (02) SPALDING (03) STEPHENS (09) STEWART (02) SUMTER (02) TALBOT (02) TALIAFERRO (11) TATTNALL (01) TAYLOR (02) TELFAIR (08) TERRELL (02) THOMAS (02) TIFT (08) TOOMBS (01) TOWNS (09) TREUTLEN (08) TROUP (07) TURNER (08) TWIGGS (Total) (CD 8) (CD 11) UNION (09) UPSON (03) WALKER (09) WALTON (10) WARE (01) WARREN (11) WASHINGTON (11) WAYNE (01) WEBSTER (02) WHEELER (08) WHITE (09) WHITFIELD (09) WILCOX (08)

384 1,270
983 6,475 2,679
497 2,843
670 155 2,141 709 989 998 4,222 3,634 2,466 898 533 5,974 790 903 273 630 1,675 2,890 7,034 4,391 4,193 555 1,768 2,702 211 472 1,783 8,424 633

308,477 1,307,899 1,321,512 6,265,996 3,139,337
648,006 3,056,779 1,019,870
275,207 2,744.744 1,766,208 1,527,158
712,162 5,348,626 3,974,576 2,929,886 2,041,151 1,022,514 8,333,382 1,121,993 1,011,391
309,107 702,498 3,008,895 3,503,189 6,893,157 3,403,894 6,102,310 682,629 2.334,092 3,172,031 275,988 741,213 2,473,504 5,476,194 865,839

279,089 1.201,649 1,247,026 5.639,442 2,921,662
599,383 2,684,019
927,486 264,571 2,514,910 1,681,784 1,449,529 614,811 4,843,039 3,630,150 2,706,350 1,889,783 975,327 7,631,440 1,051,845 915,644 279,710 635,935 2,810,148 3,196,042 5,884,311 3,105,305 5,676,640 646,885 2,113,362 2,896,409 250,899 685,265 2,268,241 4,904,907 828,903

READJUSTMENT & VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
8,262 42,394 21,671 237,550 68,055 22,368 222,140 55,479
2,594 119,944 46,302 27,857 42,797 259,292 148,120 90,260 92,250 19,802 346,148 25,897 50,104 15.454 34,863 90,118 138,183 588,588 80,896 175,462
5,229 130,923 121,307
14,613 28,780 102,285 113,471
5.769

INSURANCE &
INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION S
RELATED COSTS

21,126 63,856 52,815 389,004 149,620 26,255 150,620 36,905
8,042 109,890
38,122 49,772 54,554 246,295 196,306 133,276 59,118 27,385 355,794 44,251 45,643 13,943 31,700 108,629 168,964 420,258 217,693 250,208 30,515 89,807 154,315 10,476 27,168 102,978 457,816 31,167

MEDICAL SERVICES & ADMINISTRATIVE

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF VA EXPENDITURES FOR FY 2001

COUNTY OR INDEPENDENT CITY (CONG. DISTRICT)

VETERAN

TOTAL

POPULATION Q EXPENDITURES

COMPENSATION

GEORGIA

WILKES (Total) (CD 10) (CD 11) WILKINSON (11) WORTH (08)

1,079 762 317
1,029 2,157

1,319.571 930,686 388,884
1,273,897 2,148,202

1,198,365 845.200 353,164
1,186,713 1,944,704

GEORGIA
TOTAL CONG. DIST (01) TOTAL CONG. DIST (02) TOTAL CONG. DIST (03) TOTAL CONG. DIST (04) TOTAL CONG. DIST (05) TOTAL CONG. DIST (06) TOTAL CONG. DIST (07) TOTAL CONG. DIST (08) TOTAL CONG. DIST (09) TOTAL CONG. DIST (10) TOTAL CONG. DIST (11)
GEORGIA (Totals)

71,832 57,683 79,103 76,790 65,090 76,876 71,982 72,307 72,547 71,207 61,541
776,961

94,256,913 86,893,231 113,381,721 293,192,071 88,342,842 50,278,151 69,044,815 181,135,946 69,925,129 275,455,762 93.253.041
,415,159,622

81,986,576 77,443,858 99,896,690 47,800,478 41,978,862 41,892,603 60,889,009 85,767,748 62,908,851 82,703,748 82,310,552
765,578,976

READJUSTMENT & VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
56,568 39,897 16,671 30,674 91,696
8,259,969 6,163,646 8,811,932 5,078,355 3,781,961 4,138,687 3,802,977 5,228,123 2,989,462 6,131,574 7.456,001 61,842,687

(*) Veteran population data from VetPop 2001 Model.

INSURANCE INDEMNITIES

CONSTRUCTION 4
RELATED COSTS

64.638 45,589 19,049 56,510 111,802

4,010,368 3,285,727 4,673,099 4,185,838 3,519,836 4,246,861 3,998,617 4,113.068 4,026,816 3,922,282 3,486,488
43,469.000

2,204,591 48,020
73,146 1,154,973
932,979
4,413,709

MEDICAL SERVICES 4 ADMINISTRATIVE
233,922,809 39,014,162 281,066 84,872,034
181,765,179 539,855,250

54

A Grateful Nation Remembers...Freedom is Not Free!

Photographer, Thomas E. Franklin, The "Bergen " Record
On September 11, our nation was shaken by an attack that took the livces of over 4,000 American. In the hours immediately following this tragic event, in defiance ofour attackers, three modem day heroes took the time to raise the symbol of our great nation, reminding us of a month in 1945 when 6,000 Marines lost their lives capturing the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, and six heroes who raised our flag at the top of Mt. Suribachi to show that despite the battle our country will indeed emerge triumphant. Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Pete Wheeler,and the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, extends condolences to the family and friends of the civilians and service men that lost their lives in the September 11th tragedy.

Georgia Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800
-a