Hunterdon County Veterans' Services Officer Available To Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: January 8, 2019

Contact: John E. Lanza, Freeholder Deputy Director

John.lanza@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Hunterdon County Veterans’ Services Officer

Gains Accreditation From The VA

Hunterdon County Freeholder Board Deputy Director John E. Lanza, the Board’s Veterans liaison, has announced that the County Veterans’ Services Officer (VSO), U.S. Navy Veteran Richard Booth, has received accreditation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a representative of National Association of County Veterans Service Officers for assisting Veterans with benefit claims.

Lanza said, “Having an accredited Veterans representative is of great value to our Veterans. Mr. Booth is now certified to help navigate all of the available Veterans’ benefits and VA regulations. Mr. Booth is an excellent choice in this role for our Veterans because he has been in their shoes.”

Mr. Booth, who successfully completed forty hours of study and an examination administered by the National Association to gain accreditation, is now authorized to speak on behalf of Veterans with the VA.

Mr. Booth, can assist with VA compensation, pension, burial benefits, health care, and other federal programs. He is also liaison to the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs and can assist with state benefit issues.

“I am tasked with being an aggressive advocate for our County’s Veterans,” stated Mr. Booth, a Navy Radioman who served aboard a destroyer out of Norfolk, VA and at a Naval Computer & Telecommunications Area Master Station in Naples, Italy.

Prior to being named the County’s VSO by the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Mr. Booth served as a Hunterdon County Park Ranger for seventeen years.

The VSO continued, “Veterans will come to our Gauntt Place location and will benefit from having knowledgeable direction, help, and advice. Whatever they may need. It’s a fulfilling experience for me because I really enjoy helping my fellow former service men and women.”

The Hunterdon County Veterans’ Office is located at the Senior Center, 4 Gauntt Place, Building 1, Flemington. To set up an appointment with Mr. Booth, email rbooth@co.hunterdon.nj.us or call (908) 788-1361.