A new Potter County Veterans Service Committee will hold its first meeting at 5
pm on Monday, March 18, at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. Mike Pepper,
the county’s veterans affairs director, and Danielle Gietler, executive
secretary for the board of commissioners, are joined on the committee by
representatives from each American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars post in
the county.
Its purpose is to advocate for the military veterans of Potter County and
advise the Board of Commissioners on veterans’ services. Among projects on the
new committee’s agenda is expansion of the county’s veterans discount program.
Dozens of Potter County businesses and service providers offer discounts for
military veterans. Vets can obtain ID cards from Director Pepper’s office. They
can also get a brochure that lists locations where the discounts are offered.
Another high priority is an expansion of the veterans gravestone restoration
project. The committee will be working to garner support from additional
cemetery caretakers, youth groups and volunteers.
Other potential committee goals are a countywide veterans benefits fair;
education/training initiatives; workforce placement and retraining for veterans;
housing issues; advocacy for veterans, military service members and their
families at the statewide and national levels, and a more concerted outreach to
veterans.
