Report by Justin Hall, freelance correspondent
The Bryan County NAACP Branch 5648 and the Liberty County NAACP Branch 5212 joined forces to host a Veterans’ Resource Fair at the Richmond Hill City Center on Saturday.
The resource event, the first of its kind, featured organizations from both Bryan and Liberty Counties. The aim of the resource fair was to provide information for visiting veterans and their families.
Clyde Shepard, Chairperson for the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs for the Bryan County NAACP, was one of the masters of ceremonies for the event.
An Army veteran who served for 28 years, Shepard moved to Richmond Hill and joined the local NAACP branch. He said that he wanted to help make a difference in the lives of the veterans in the area.
"A lot of veterans are not aware of all the services that's available," Shepard said.
One of the organizers was the Beaufort National Cemetery. Representative Tresa Hester, another Army veteran, was there to explain what the National Cemetery can offer for families of fallen veterans.
"We will service not only the veteran but also their spouse as well as any adult dependent children," Hester said. Benefits include the opening and closing of their grave, a VA approved headstone, a government liner if they come inside of a casket or in an urn. Another benefit includes a 20 minute service with honors and committals.
Other organizations at the Resource Event included:
Disabled American Veterans
VFW Post 7331
Changing Homelessness, Inc.
Veterans United Home Loans
My Veterans Place Savannah
Navy Federal Credit Union
WorkSource Coastal
American Legion JE Lanier Post 27
Renewal By Andersen
Hospices Savannah, Inc.
Beauties in Boots Women's Veteran Club
Department of Veterans Affairs
The Veterans’ Resource Fair will be held in Liberty County next year.
Justin Hall is a freelance correspondent for the Bryan County News.
