Annual report, 2017

Georgia Department of Veterans Service
2017 Annual Report
Mike Roby, Commissioner

About this Report
In accordance with state law, the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service annually submits a report of the agency's activities to the Governor and the General Assembly. The GDVS Annual Report also serves as a repository of general information about the department.
Throughout this report, many references are made to Fiscal Year 2017; this refers to the State of Georgia's fiscal year from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Where information refers instead to calendar year 2016, this will be noted.
Where federal data are concerned, the latest available data is sometimes from Federal Fiscal Year 2016 (Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016). Such cases are noted where they occur.
An electronic version of this report is available online at veterans.georgia.gov/annual-report. An archive of the most recent editions of the GDVS Annual Report may be found in the same location.
Table of Contents
Overview.........................................................................................................................................2 Message from the Commissioner.....................................................................................................3 Department Organization and Mission,Vision,Values...................................................................4 Veterans Service Board....................................................................................................................5 About the Georgia Department of Veterans Service......................................................................6-7 Veterans Education & Training Division..........................................................................................8 Public Information Division...........................................................................................................9 Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home Augusta.............................................................................10 Georgia War Veterans Home Milledgeville..................................................................................11 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Milledgeville..................................................................12 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery Glennville.......................................................................13 Statistical Report.....................................................................................................................14 Financial Report...........................................................................................................................15 Summary of VA Monetary Benefits................................................................................................16 Year in Review...........................................................................................................................17-22 VA Statistical Data....................................................................................................................23-27
About the Cover
A Vietnam veteran and Veterans Service Board member Thom Mash listen intently as Assistant Commissioner George Canavaggio welcomes guests to Georgia's Recognition of Those Still Unaccounted For. This was one of several special events the Georgia Department of Veterans Service participated in to honor veterans during 2017.
(Credit: Photo, GDVS/Charlotte May)
2

MIKE ROBY
COMMISSIONER

Department of Veterans Service
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite E-970
Atlanta, GA 30334
January 31, 2018

TEL: 404-656-2300 FAX: 404-656-7006 veterans.georgia.gov

Governor Nathan Deal 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 shall furnish to the Governor, the members of the General Assembly, the Veterans Service Board, veterans' organizations, and the public generally an annual report with reference to claims presented on behalf of veterans of this state, concerning veterans aided under federal, state, or local legislation, and otherwise to report the 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 of the Department of Veterans Service for the year 2017. A copy of this report is also available at https://veterans.georgia.gov/annual-report.
Respectfully submitted,

Mike Roby Commissioner
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Department Organization

State Veterans Service Board

Director Veterans Education & Training

Assistant Commissioner Administration, Health & Memorials

Commissioner of Veterans Service

Human Resources
Information Technology
Records Management

Budget Specialist

Director Accounting and Finance

Admin. Assistant

Executive Director GWVNH - Augusta

Director Operations

Director Health & Memorials

Purchasing

Confidential Secretary
Director GVMC - Milledgeville
Director GVMC - Glennville
Executive Director GWVH - Milledgeville

Assistant Commissioner Field Operations and Appeals

Director Public Information

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Benefits

North Region Director South Region Director

Director Appeals

Director Women Veterans Office

Admin. Assistant

Supervisor Veterans Training & Development

Missions:
To assist Georgia's 774,000+ veterans with benefits claims to obtain compensation, pension and services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
To provide nursing care to veteran patients at the Augusta and Milledgeville state veterans homes.
To provide memorial benefits to Georgia's veterans who served faithfully and honorably in the armed forces of our nation and to their families at the Glennville and Milledgeville state veterans cemeteries that are shrines to the memory of our state's heroes.

Vision:
We will provide the highest quality assistance to Georgia's veterans to aid them in obtaining all the benefits from the federal and state governments to which they are entitled.
We will provide the highest quality nursing home services to Georgia's veteran patients, as judged by VA surveys, state inspections and other accrediting agencies.
We will provide shrine standard services at Georgia's state veterans cemeteries to memorialize our state's fallen and deceased heroes who faithfully and honorably served in the armed forces.

Values:
We value the service Georgia's veterans have provided to our nation and our state in the armed forces of our nation and the freedoms we all enjoy because of that service.
We value the ongoing partnership our state has with the VA to provide assistance and service to Georgia's veterans and their families.

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Veterans Service
Board
The constitution of the State of Georgia specifies the State Veterans Service Board 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 appoints members, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Board member terms are staggered and are for seven years. From its membership, the Board elects a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary. Every four years the Board appoints a Commissioner, through whom the Board controls the overall policy of the Department of Veterans Service.
Thomas Mash was appointed to the Board in June 2017.

Dan Cravey

Eddie Whitted

Patricia Ross

Shawn Hanley

Thomas Mash

Pat Phillips

Philip G. Youngblood

2016 BOARD MEMBERS

BOARD MEMBER

POSITION CITY

CHARLES EDWARD "EDDIE" WHITTED CHAIRMAN BLACKSHEAR

DANIEL CRAVEY VICE CHAIRMAN MILNER

PATRICIA ROSS

SECRETARY WARNER ROBINS

SHAWN HANLEY MEMBER ATLANTA

THOMAS MASH MEMBER LAWRENCEVILLE

PAT PHILLIPSMEMBERBLAIRSVILLE

PHILIP G. YOUNGBLOOD MEMBER QUITMAN



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Georgia Department

of

Veterans Service
Serving Those Who Served

The mission of the Department of Veterans Service is to serve the 700,000+ veterans residing in Georgia, their dependents and survivors in all matters pertaining to veterans benefits.
This responsibility falls into two basic tasks: informing veterans and their families about veterans benefits; and directly assisting and advising veterans and their families in securing the benefits to which they are entitled.
To support these missions, the department maintains an appeals division, field offices, two veterans nursing homes, two veterans cemeteries, and a public information division.
The Appeals Division's mission is to process appeals of Georgia veterans.
The Veterans Field Service Offices, located throughout the state, provide direct assistance to veterans at the local level. The department representatives provide counsel and assist veterans in gathering the documents and information required to support their claims.
The War Veterans Nursing Homes provide skilled nursing care to Georgia's war veterans who need those services.
The Veterans Memorial Cemeteries provide final resting places for Georgia's veterans and their spouses and serve as shrines to their memory and their service to our nation.
The Public Information Division's mission is to keep Georgia veterans informed about these issues.
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 Service might be compared to that of an attorney representing a client in court.
The necessity for personal assistance in filing and pursuing claims and in maintaining a continuing information program results from the legal principle that veterans benefits are not awarded automatically all must be applied for.
The VA pays a veteran exactly what he or she applies for when they are entitled, and no more. The aim of the Department of Veterans Service is to obtain for a veteran or dependents the earned benefits to which they are entitled, to tell them when they are entitled, and to assist them in gathering and preparing evidence needed to justify a claim and prove their entitlement. The advancing age of Korean and Vietnam War veterans, and the frequent changes that occur in veterans benefits legislation, will necessitate the continuance of a variety of veterans programs in the years ahead. As the Congress continues to seek ways to reduce the deficit, veterans benefits will continue to be in a state of flux. This means veterans will continue to need assistance in interpreting the changes and determining how they impact their personal situation.

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Georgia Department

of

Veterans Service
Department Functions

Effectuate and carry out the laws of the state pertaining to veterans.
Inform veterans, their dependents, and survivors as to their rights and benefits under federal and state legislation, or local ordinances.
Assist veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries in the preparation, presentation, proof, and establishment of such claims, privileges, rights and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state, and local laws.
Report any evidence of incompetence, dishonesty, or negligence on the part of any employee dealing with veterans affairs.
Promote and protect the rights of Georgia's veterans under federal and state law.
Apply for and accept gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government or from any other governmental units.
Construct and operate nursing homes and personal care homes for the benefit of eligible war veterans.
Construct and operate state veterans cemeteries for the benefit of eligible veterans and their dependents.
Advise the Governor, the Veterans Service Board, and the General Assembly as to needed veterans legislation.
Maintain files on all veterans

who have filed claims for veterans benefits through the department.
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.
Conduct outreach to women veterans to improve awareness of eligibility for federal and state veterans benefits and services.
Make representatives of the department available throughout 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.
Cooperate with all national, state, and local governmental and private agencies, to secure or offer services or any benefits to veterans and their dependents.
Assist and cooperate with all veterans organizations in their work.
Assist other states in securing evidence for claims.
Promote enlargement and improvement of VA hospital facilities in the state.
Sponsor observance of Veterans Day in the state.
Certify eligibility for veterans driver licenses and honorary driver licenses.
Certify eligibility for disabled veteran discounts at

Department of Natural Resources facilities.
Issue, to qualified veterans, Certificates of Exemption from certain business taxes and fees.
Assist qualified veterans in obtaining honorary hunting and fishing licenses.
Assist in obtaining special motor vehicle license plates for qualified veterans, including veterans of specific military campaigns, retired veterans, and recipients of certain medals, as well as special tax-exempt license plates for Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, disabled veterans, and Medal of Honor recipients.
As State Approving Agency, enter into contracts with the federal government for the qualification, approval, certification, and supervision of educational institutions and training establishments applying for or participating in federal programs for educating and training veterans.
As Chair Agency of the Returning Veterans Task Force, investigate how state services can be provided to veterans returning from military service, issue recommendations to each agency regarding improving service delivery, and transmit specific suggestions for legislation to the Governor and senior leaders of the General Assembly.

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Veterans education

& training division
State Approving Agency

By law, the Georgia Department of 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.
Within the GDVS, the State Approving Agency (SAA) function is performed by the Veterans Education & Training Division. This division is responsible for ensuring approved institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so 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 (OJT). 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.
In 2017, the GDVS continued to expand opportunities for Georgia veterans to receive their education benefits while enrolled in approved on-thejob training (OJT) and apprenticeship programs.
The Montgomery GI Bill education program, initiated in 1985, remains a great success. This program expanded the education benefits program to include vocational, technical, flight, correspondence, and OJT/apprenticeship training for reservists and veterans.
"The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008" program expanded the benefits available to certain service members and veterans with active duty military service after September 11, 2001.
The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 made significant improvements such as adding OJT/apprenticeship and non-college degree schools, vocational schools, and flight schools to what is covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The Department of Defense also offers a "Transferability of Education Benefits" option for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This retention program requires eligible active duty veterans with at least six years of service to commit to an additional four years of service upon approval.
On August 16, 2017 the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the "Forever GI Bill" was signed into law, which will bring significant changes to veterans' education benefits. This includes removing the 15-year limitation to use education benefits for veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013.
During fiscal year 2017, there were 17,606 Georgians receiving GI Bill benefits. An additional 941 veterans were enrolled in OJT programs.
In total, 18,547 Georgia veterans were enrolled in college degree and professional programs, technical career programs, vocational programs, flight training, and OJT programs during fiscal year 2017.
In FY 2017, the approval of educational institutions and training establishments for the education of Georgia veterans resulted in the processing of numerous individual actions in the approval, re-approval, withdrawal and compliance survey process.
At the close of 2017, there were 407 approved educational institutions and 1,309 approved training establishments in Georgia. The Veterans Education & Training Division monitors all 1,716 approved educational institutions and training establishments.
The division conducts regular inspection visits to ensure approval criteria and schools' standards of progress are being followed as prescribed by law.
During 2017, personnel assigned to the Veterans Education & Training Division conducted numerous visits for the purpose of approval, re-approval, inspection, and compliance surveys.
For more information on all GI Bill programs, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill or call the GDVS Education & Training Division at 404-656-2306.

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Public Information

Division

The Public Information Division collects, evaluates, and disseminates information to veterans regarding changes in benefits laws, and proper procedures to be followed in the filing of claims.
When appropriate, the division mails news and information releases concerning veterans affairs to newspapers, radio and television stations throughout Georgia.
The releases are used to inform veterans about the latest changes regarding veterans affairs and to provide information on the status of proposed or pending legislation that may affect them.
Through an aggressive internal communication program, the division keeps the field offices informed about changes in the law and policy interpretations that impact veterans.
The division supports the department's field personnel in their efforts to promote the department and the services it provides by their frequent contacts with the news media in their respective areas.
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 division compiles, edits, and publishes a series of print materials explaining in detail the various

benefits available to veterans, their dependents, and survivors. These include books, pamphlets, and calendars, all of which are updated as changes occur in laws, regulations, or benefits.
The division maintains the department's online presence, including its website, blog, and several social media channels.
Veterans, their families, and all others interested in veteran-related news are encouraged to follow @gavetsvc on Twitter, where the department is leveraging the social media service to share the latest news of the day as it happens. Those interested in more in-depth news and a chance to interact with other veterans and veteran advocates are encouraged to "like" the Georgia Department of Veterans Service's page on Facebook: facebook. com/gavetsvc. Although the division strives to utilize the latest available new media tools, the
department's website, veterans.georgia.gov, remains the top source for official Georgia Department of Veterans Service information.
The GDVS website is a repository of information about veterans benefits, including the most up-todate version of State Benefits for Georgia Veterans, and detailed information concerning all aspects of the department: Commissioner Roby, Georgia War Veterans Homes, Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, Veterans Field Service Offices, Appeals Division, and Veterans Education & Training.
The website is also home to the department's official news feed, blog, and calendar of events.

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Georgia War Veterans

Nursing Home

Augusta

The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta is a 192-bed skilled nursing care facility located adjacent to the campus of Augusta University and the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home is operated under an interagency agreement between the Georgia Department of Veterans Service and Augusta University. Primarily, the facility provides medical and skilled nursing services to Georgia's aged and infirm war veterans. Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home also serves as a teaching facility to acquaint medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health students with the medical conditions and diseases of the aged. This provides students with practical experience and helps them gain expertise in treating the disabled and the elderly. Also located at the facility is a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office that serves residents of the home and veterans of Richmond and Columbia counties. Dedicated in 1969, the facility was the first of its kind in the nation to be built with financial grant assistance from the federal government. It is one of a select group of such institutions accredited by the Joint Commission. In fiscal year 2017, the nursing home provided 54,091 days of care to Georgia's veterans with an average age of 83. During the year, there were 247 admissions and 254 discharges with an average length of stay of 256 days. Services to patients included 5,188 physical therapy treatments and 4,347 individual occupational

therapy procedures. Veteran patients were treated by a medical
director and family medicine residents providing daily physician coverage. Other services were provided by a certified activities therapist and staff, three facility social workers and a staff of registered, licensed
practical nurses and certified nursing assistants.
To help provide care and treatment, the federal government, through the Department of Veterans Affairs, provided financial assistance totaling in excess of $7.3 million during fiscal year 2017.
Throughout the year, veteran service organizations, civic and fraternal organizations and religious groups demonstrated their concern for the well-being of veteran patients through numerous donations, visits, and sponsorship of frequent activities for Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home residents.

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Georgia War Veterans

home

Milledgeville

The Georgia War Veterans Home, situated on approximately 17 acres in Milledgeville, is a 375-bed facility licensed and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide skilled nursing care to aged and infirm Georgia war veterans. United Veteran Services of Georgia, Inc., a subsidiary of UHSPruitt Corporation of Norcross, operates the home for the Department of Veterans Service under a contractual agreement. The home operated three skilled nursing care facilities in 2017. The Carl Vinson Building received partial renovation to accommodate 84 veteran patients from the Richard B. Russell Building, which is undergoing major renovations. A new subacute therapy unit will be located in the Russell Building. This new 58-bed skilled care unit will treat service-connected disabled veterans. The Joe T. Wood Building remains at a 150-bed capacity, along with the Alzheimer's Unit in the Pete Wheeler Building with 24 beds. Once renovations are completed by the year 2020, the Georgia War Veterans Home will have a capacity of 306 beds to provide care and treatment for Georgia's war veterans. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities transferred a portion of the Central State Campus known as Cedar Pond for use by the Georgia War Veterans Home as a recreation area. The area consists of 54 acres, which includes an 8 acre pond for fishing, a covered pavilion, and a club house with kitchen. The GDVS field office serving veterans in the home and in Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam, Washington,

and Wilkinson counties is located in the Wheeler Building. Veteran-related visits for this field office totaled 17,273 for calendar year 2017. This office also serves the 250 veterans of the Georgia War Veterans Home by assisting with compensation and pension claims, counseling services, and family-related issues.
The home also hosts a VA community clinic which provides outpatient care to veterans in Baldwin and the surrounding counties.
During fiscal year 2017, veteran patients at the home received 89,759 days of skilled nursing care. The nursing home admitted 161 patients during the year and had 161 discharges/deaths. The average length of stay for current skilled veteran patients is 1,243 days or 3.4 years. During 2017, federal assistance in funding a portion of the cost of providing care to veterans in the home amounted to $11,912,102. As in previous years, many veterans service organizations, civic groups, and church groups continued their sponsorship of numerous activities such as movies, games, dance parties, bingo, picnics, and other activities and programs for the general wellbeing of the veteran patients at the home. Groups and individuals that comprised the equivalent of 3,056 individual volunteers providing in excess of 10,819 hours of time valued at over $216,380 presented over 1,108 activities during the year. The value of donated items made available to the home during fiscal year 2017 was $100,141. Groups and individuals also provided direct monetary donations of $9,371 in support of special activities and projects.

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Georgia Veterans

Memorial cemetery

Milledgeville

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Milledgeville is located approximately five miles south of downtown Milledgeville along Georgia Highway 112. This cemetery, established on 142 acres the Georgia Department of Veterans Service received from the Georgia Forestry Commission, includes an administration/ visitor center with a state-of-the-art information booth, a committal chapel, a carillon, and 12 columbarium shelters for cremations. Cemetery grounds also include a six-acre lake and a three-acre, multi-tier walled ceremonial area. The cemetery will eventually be the final resting place for more than 100,000 eligible veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents. As of December 1, 2017, there were 3,195 veterans, spouses, and dependents buried at the GVMC. The burials are composed of 2,309 casketed burials, 575 cremations in the columbarium, 383 inground cremations, and 28 memorial markers. In July 2017, work began on the Phase III expansion of the cemetery. It will develop 15 acres and add space for 1,520 pre-placed crypts and 320 columbarium niches. The avenue of flags is displayed when ceremonies are held at the cemetery, such as Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America. In addition, it is displayed on Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. Flags were placed on all burial sites and at the front entrance of the cemetery in recognition of Memorial Day. The Knights of Columbus, Patriot

Guard, and members of the 48th Infantry Brigade conducted a ceremony attended by approximately 500 people.
Flags were placed on all burial sites in the cemetery in recognition of Veterans Day.
On December 16, 2017, the cemetery hosted its annual Wreaths Across America ceremony honoring our past and present military. Seven wreaths, provided by the Worchester Wreath Company, were presented honoring each branch of our Armed Forces, Merchant Marines and POWs/MIAs. The ceremony included members of the the Patriot Guard Riders,
Honor Guards from the Georgia Military College Prep School, and Civil Air Patrol Augusta Composite Squadron GA-069 and music by Stacey Blanton. Volunteers placed wreaths on graves following the ceremony.
The cemetery has many visitors each year. Some are visiting grave sites, some are seeking information about the cemetery and burial requirements, and many have just heard about the cemetery and want to see the grounds.
Cemetery staff members remain active in the local community by meeting frequently with business groups, veterans organizations, and church groups.
The GVMC's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official state holidays.
The cemetery is open to families, visitors, and the general public seven days each week from 8 a.m. to dusk.

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Georgia Veterans

Memorial cemetery

Glennville

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery Glennville is situated on the 42.6 acre site of the former Dyess Farm, just north of the Glennville city limits on U.S. Highway 301, 25 miles west of the main post of Fort Stewart. The initial 26-acre phase of the cemetery contains 1,400 pre-placed in-ground double vaults, for eligible veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents; 766 conventional single depth sites; 1,384 cremation interment sites, which include a columbarium and inground sites; and 429 spaces for memorial markers. These memorial markers are placed in memory of those veterans whose remains are unavailable for burial. GVMCGlennville was dedicated on November 28, 2007, and will eventually be the final resting place for more than 21,000 veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents. As of December 31, 2017, there were 1,215 veterans, spouses, and family members interred. A key feature of the cemetery is the co-location of the Glennville Veterans Field Service Office, which provides assistance to veterans and their families in Bryan, Long, Tattnall, and Wayne counties. In 2017, GVMCGlennville hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony to honor veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Glennville American Legion post and the Glennville Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Major Patrick B. Tabin, Battalion S3 of Fort Stewart's 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was

the guest speaker for the ceremony. He took the opportunity to inform the crowd of the importance of Memorial Day as a time to honor today's soldiers as well as soldiers of the past who have all sacrificed. Cemetery Director Ernie Cowart welcomed the crowd to the cemetery, as over 250 people attended the
ceremony during a beautiful spring day.
For Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Boy Scout Troop 929 and members of the Georgia Southern Student Veterans Association placed U.S. flags at the grave sites of the veterans interred in the cemetery. In December, the Bonaventure Children of the American Revolution Society, along with the Glennville Faith Riders, and other civic groups sponsored a Wreaths Across America ceremony to place wreaths at all the interment sites in the cemetery. The Air Force JROTC of Effingham County High School took part in the ceremony and provided the color guard. Stephanie Lawless, director of the Toombs County High School Band, performed "Taps." A crowd of over 400 people attended the ceremony and then helped place wreaths at the graves. Cemetery staff members remain active in the local community by meeting frequently with civic groups, veterans organizations, and other various groups. GVMCGlennville's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official state holidays. The cemetery is open to families, visitors, and the general public seven days each week from 8 a.m. to dusk.

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Statistical Report
Calendar Year 2017
OVERVIEW Office Visits ........................................................................ 152,919 Other Visits .......................................................................... 211,082 Women's Program Visits ......................................................... 11,903
Definitions
OFFICE VISIT: A visit to a Veterans Field Service Office by a veteran, family member, or other interested individual to inquire about, or make application for, veterans benefits provided by the federal government or the State of Georgia. It includes the provision of advice and assistance to the individual(s), the completion of forms or other correspondence/ documentation related to veterans benefits.
OTHER VISIT: A telephone call, email, mail or telefax made to or received from a veteran, family member, or other interested individual to inquire or advise about veterans benefits provided by the federal government or the State of Georgia. It includes the provision of advice and assistance to the individual(s).
WOMEN'S PROGRAM VISIT: A visit to a Veterans Field Service Office by a veteran, family member, or other interested individual to inquire about counselling for military sexual trauma, make applications for veterans benefits, or receive information on women veteran issues. It includes the provision of advice and assistance to the individual(s), the completion of forms or other correspondence/documentation related to veterans benefits.
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GDVS Financial Report
Fiscal Year 2017
15

va monetary Report

Benefits & Definitions

Listed below is a report of the monetary benefits received by the veterans and the dependent survivors of deceased
veterans in Georgia during federal fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015 through
September 30, 2016). The figures were provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and were the latest
available at the end of 2017. (See pages 25-29 for more detailed
breakdown of these figures.)

Compensation and Pension: Benefits expenditures for the following categories: compensation payments, pension payments, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and burial allowances.
Medical Care: Operating expenses incurred through the provision of health care services to veterans. The specific programs reported for this category are: medical care, General Post Fund, medical and prosthetic research, and miscellaneous accounts.

Compensation and Pension $3,528,819,000
Medical Care $1,913,097,000
Construction $2,089,000
Insurance and Indemnities $51,535,000
Education and Vocational Rehabilitation $515,336,000
General Operating Expenses $105,890,000
Total Expenditure $6,116,767,000

Construction: Funding for Major Projects, Minor Projects, Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities, and Grants for Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries.
Insurance and Indemnities: Expenditures for death claims, matured endowments, dividends, cash surrender payments, total disability income provision payments, and total and permanent disability benefits payments. Education and Vocational Rehabilitation: Expenditures in this category include: automobile and adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans (Chapter 31), Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance (Chapter 32), Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606), Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607), Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30), Post9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance (Chapter 33).
General Operating Costs: General Operating Expenses represent the costs necessary to provide administration and oversight for the benefits provided by VA. This includes costs for overhead and human resources [to operate VA's regional office, hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities in Georgia]. This category does not include payments made directly to beneficiaries.

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year in review
Activities
Commissioner Roby was invited to speak at a Warrior Training
Advancement Course (WARTAC) graduation ceremony at Fort
Stewart. WARTAC trains retiring service members to work as
Veteran Service Representatives with the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Commissioner Roby and members of the GDVS staff met with WSB-TV's Jocelyn Dorsey to film a segment for People 2
People. Commissioner Roby spoke about services the GDVS offers to Georgia's veterans and their families as part of a public
service announcement.
Commissioner Roby and members of the Governor's Returning Veterans Task Force visited Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Fort Benning to hold quarterly meetings and learn about transition training and resources available in Georgia.
Commissioner Roby and members of the GDVS senior staff met with Congressman Hank Johnson and his Atlanta field representatives.
The Commissioner and Congressman Johnson discussed future opportunities to reach out
to the Congressman's veteran constituents in his district.
17

year in review
Annual Training
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service annually gathers its Veterans Field Service Officers and Appeals Officers for training to ensure all employees maintain certification and stay up-to-date on the latest changes to regulations governing veterans benefits. Our employees met for an extended annual trainng in July 2017. Service officers were split into small groups for more intense and focused training sessions. Quizzes and a comprehensive exam tested our service officers knowledge of veterans benefits and how to best serve Georgia's veterans and their families.
North Region Veterans Field Service Officers
18

South Region Veterans Field Service Officers
19

year in review
Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service launched the Vietnam War Certificate of Honor program in 2015, with the goal of honoring every one of Georgia's 207,000 Vietnam
War veterans. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service has been involved in over 294 ceremonies and distributed over 20,500 certificates and 16,000
lapel pins since 2015.
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year in review
Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration
As part of its ongoing role as an Official Commemorative
Partner with the U.S. Department of Defense
during the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service sponsored one commemoration program during 2017, a tribute to Georgia's Vietnam veterans who are still unaccounted for.
21

year in review
Veterans Day
22

VA Statistical Data

23

VA Statistical Data

24

VA Statistical Data

25

VA Statistical Data

26

VA Statistical Data And Notes

27

Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800
veterans.georgia.gov facebook.com/gavetsvc
twitter.com/gavetsvc

Veterans Field Service Offices
Albany 229-430-1797 Americus 229-931-2546
Athens 706-369-5630 Atlanta 404-656-5940 Augusta 706-721-4301 Augusta VAMC 706-823-2218 Bainbridge 229-248-2599 Blairsville 706-745-6341 Brunswick 912-262-2345 Canton 770-720-3538 Carrollton 404-321-6111, x 2554 Cartersville 770-387-3746 Cedartown 770-749-2209
Clarkesville 706-754-4316 Columbus 706-649-1264 Conyers 770-388-5075 Cordele 229-276-2366 Dalton 706-272-2355 Decatur 404-728-7611 Douglas 912-389-4898 Dublin 478-272-4266
Fort McPherson 404-321-6111, x 4997 Gainesville 770-531-6060 Glennville 912-654-5159 Greensboro 706-453-7455 Griffin 770-412-4023 Hartwell 706-376-4461 Hinesville 912-920-0214, x 2948
LaFayette 706-638-5544 LaGrange 706-845-4095 Lawrenceville 404-321-6111, x 1964
Lyons 912-526-8860 Macon 478-751-3186 Marietta 770-528-3254 Milledgeville 478-445-4751

Veterans Field Service Offices
Moultrie 229-891-7135 Newnan 770-254-7260 Oakwood 404-321-6111, x 8225
Rome 706-295-6026 Savannah 912-920-0214, x 2194 St. Marys 912-510-3440 Statesboro 912-871-1104 Swainsboro 478-289-2617 Thomasville 229-225-4050
Tifton 229-386-3856 Valdosta 229-333-2178 Warner Robins 478-293-1005 Washington 706-678-2821 Waycross 912-285-6340 Waynesboro 706-554-3874 The GDVS also provides limited service to several satellite locations. See veterans.ga.gov/satellite-locations for more information.
GDVS Central Office
Public Information 404-656-5933
Appeals Division 404-929-5345
Veterans Education & Training 404-656-2306
Women Veterans Coordinator 404-656-2300
We value your input. Give feedback at gavetsvc@vs.state.ga.us,
facebook.com/gavetsvc, or 404-656-5933.

A digital copy of this report is available at veterans.georgia.gov/annual-report.