Just to enlighten a few people who think they do not owe Veterans and that it should not be the responsibility of taxpayers to pay for an office for Veterans services:

Chapter 115 Under Massachusetts General Laws M.G.L. ch. 115, the Commonwealth provides a needs-based means tested program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, and medical care in accordance with a formula which takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as if the veteran were still living.

 Department of Veterans’ Services
600 Washington Street, 7th Floor Boston,
MA 02111 617-210-5480
www.mass.gov/veterans Email: mdvs@vet.state.ma.us

Today M.G.L. Chapter 115 requires every city and town to maintain a Department of Veterans’ Services through which the municipality makes available to its residents the part-time or full-time services of either an exclusive or district Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO). It is the job of the VSO to provide the veterans (living and deceased) and their dependents access to every federal, state, and local benefit and service to which they are entitled—including assisting in their funerals and honoring them on Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day.

I urge all to look for themselves, under Massachusetts General Laws and at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office. Some may think that the general public should not have to pay for office space and or other things for Veterans, Apparently, you do owe, for the bill (s) because it is a matter of law. Whether you agree or not, you owe for the bill and you pay for it via taxes and other fees.


posted by Jeff Bennett