GRANTS, N.M. - Years ago, there was a Grants veterans services office, but later it was closed. Now, the office is reopening. It will operate at the old county building on High Street. According to George Garcia, a Veterans Service Officer with the program, the office opening is not a part of the Veterans Affairs organization, but rather is a Veterans Services program operating under the State of New Mexico to “help with the Veterans Affairs process.”
This local reopening is a result of the efforts by State Representative Harry Garcia, District 69, who received appropriations for these offices to operate in smaller towns. Before that, veterans’ affairs services were limited in smaller towns, but now, more and more are opening and “luckily Grants was one of them,” said Veterans Service Officer Garcia. The office is now open for all intents and purposes, but G. Garcia just started the training process for other Veterans Service Officers on March 8. He was told that they would be working from home for the most part because of COVID-19.
The Veterans Service Office helps new and old veterans with medical needs, educating veterans about their benefits and how to apply for them.
“It can be confusing. Even me, I was in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years and it was confusing for me and sometimes intimidating. You know, when you’re dealing with government forms and processes and so that is what our job is - to help them navigate that road, file appeals, and do everything for the veteran,” explained G. Garcia.
The Marine Corps veteran, who helped teach ROTC for 19 years, said the best thing about program locating in Grants is that it will be able to help local veterans file claims and meet all their needs. G. Garcia is a well-known figure in the community, which he said will help to make the local veterans more comfortable with the process.
“You know, I’m looking forward to it, and it’s a good opportunity for us,” said Garcia about the program and its anticipated benefits to the community.