MS Veterans Affairs hosts second annual summit and resource fair

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- There are about 200,000 veterans in Mississippi.

And many of them don’t know about the services available to them.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi Veterans Affairs hosted its second annual Summit and Resource Fair.

While it may be confusing for veterans to know what all is available for them, they don’t have to go through it alone.

Sometimes, when you’ve done things one way for a long time, adjusting to something different can be a challenge.

Jack Davis has served in the U.S Army for 22 years.

When he got out he found there were a few obstacles he didn’t know how to overcome.

That’s what brought him to the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Resource Fair.

“They’re just so many things that you don’t see on a day to day basis. To get established in the community especially for retirees was a little difficult because had I know some things I probably would’ve went a different path after I retired,” said Davis.

Davis said he came to find out what services are available in the community, and to socialize with others just like him.

“Those are the members who need to be here, it directly affects them and us,” said Davis.

Willie Petty is the Commander of the West Point American Legion Post, he said many of his members face a number of regular challenges.

“The biggest we have down there in West Point is that we don’t get, we are trying to get some transportation where our vets can get transferred to the different medical facilities,” said Petty.

Mississippi VA Field Officer Sharon Dollarhide said one vendor even works with veterans who are challenged with homelessness.

“There are different resources that can help them find temporary housing and also the step up for that is to find the barriers that is causing them to become homeless in the first place. Then to overcome those barriers and find a permanent solution to their housing situation,” said Dollarhide.

Dollarhide said the goal of the resource fair is to assist as many people in the Golden Triangle.

“We’re trying to make them aware of what is available for them, to be able to seek help if they need help, “said Dollarhide.

Nearly 70 vendors were there to help in a variety of fields from insurance policies and hospice care to counseling and jobs.