By John Steven Calder, Argonaut Correspondent

Chronically under funded by the City and County of San Francisco, the County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) is a one-stop shop for all support resources, for U.S. Military Veterans , Spouses and their dependents.

Staffed by Accredited Claims representatives, John W. Gallagher, Diana C. Kremer and Shan Yu, this office provides services to San Francisco 6000 plus Veterans. Historically underfunded and understaffed this hardworking staff helps veterans of all ages and eras of service, and their dependents, navigate the complex and sometimes hopeless red tape of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The impact this office has for San Francisco Veterans as well as Taxpayers is almost incalculable.

Every Homeless Vet the CVSO gets VA services for is a Vet NOT living on the street, NOT receiving health care at SF General or on Medi-Cal. Every San Francisco Veteran they get into the VA system is a Veteran potentially exiting San Francisco General Assistance or Food Stamps. The CVSO should be though of as a ‘profit center’ for the County an not a liability.

Sadly, other Counties do not share San Francisco’s vision. Alameda County laid off its last CVSO worker this year. The city of SF has  never funded a full time permanent position as administrative help for the SF, County Veterans Service Office, yet stories like this abound in California, but other stories emerge as well.

Because of the SF CVSO, a student, whose father was found to be a Service Disabled Vet, now goes to college ‘free’ in California, a benefit of Service Disabled Veterans of California Residence. A homeless Vietnam Veteran now has a home, a pension and a chance for a new life. A guy like me, an Air Force Veteran from the Cold War, now receives a monthly pension, outstanding free health care and enables my 3 children to go to state college at no cost.

The impact of this small office at 27B Van Ness and Market is overwhelming and life changing.

If you have a friend, a son, a daughter, a father or mother, who are Veterans, send them to the CVSO office. If your mother or father was a Veteran, go to the CVSO office. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made massive changes in the last 10 years and the Obama Administration has appointed smart and compassionate Administrators.

If you were in Europe, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other theatre of war, you have benefits waiting for you. If you lost your hearing, were injured during your service, you have benefits waiting for you. Your income? Does not matter, you have benefits waiting for you. If your parent was a veteran, they may have benefits for you.

Contact the County Veterans Service Office at 27B Van Ness and Market. You can contact them at sfcvso@sfgov.org (415) 503-2000.

These folks change peoples’ lives. They save San Franciscans tax dollars and get Veterans the Support and Services they Earned and Deserve.

John Steven Calder – A Proud Veteran

For more information, visit: http://www.sfhsa.org/134.htm

Hours: 27 B Van Ness Ave. Mon to Thursday 9 to 12  and 1 to 4 PM only and the SF, VAMC 4150 Clement Street (Tuesdays Only 830 am to 530 pm ) (walk inns welcome at either location).