File photo
File photo
As Kerr County looks for ways to cut costs in the face of economic uncertainties, County Judge Rob Kelly recently noted that there is no legal requirement for the county to have a Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) and could close the office.
But in a piece contributed to the Kerrville Daily Times, Gary Noller commander of AMVETS Post 1000 in Kerrville, writes that VCSOs are essential to helping veterans obtain the benefits their service entitles them to, the result of their efforts actually brings direct economic benefit to the county.
"With veteran population approximately twice that of most Texas communities in terms of the proportion of the adult population – veterans comprise 12% of that figure in Kerr County – the annual veteran benefit that comes into the local economy is already $100 million," Noller wrote. "This is stable income that is not dependent on the swings of the economy. It continues in good times and in bad times."
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