KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash.-The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is adding a State Veterans Service Officer in Kittitas County.
Eddie Vader, the new VSO is joining Kittitas County Public Health Department local VSO Timothy Paxton.
“An increase in service officers means more assistance for Kittitas County, but with the state level position Mr. Vader can travel and assist other counties in need as well,” said Paxton.
Vader’s hire is the result of the State Legislature’s allocation of funding to support ongoing efforts in connecting Veterans and their families to the newly available benefits under the Federal PACT Act, according to Kittitas County.
Vader, from Goldendale, Washington served in the Army for 20 years before retiring and moving to Ellensburg in 2017.
Both VSO’s will assist with emergency funds for qualifying veterans, coordinating resources, and information about veteran benefits like financial support, employment and healthcare, according to Kittitas County.
“I look forward to being the connection point between local veterans and healthcare, disability benefits, and other deserved resources for veterans of all eras,” said Vader. “We are here to support them in uniform and out.”
The Veterans Service Office is open Monday through Friday at the Morris Sorenson building located at 507 N. Nanum Street in Ellensburg.
