On March 4, 2023, Silver Bow Post 1 hosted a Veteran’s Resource Fair. It was a combined effort from the local veterans organizations, AML, VFW, DAV and the Marine Corps League.
The Montana Department of Veterans Affairs, Volunteers of America, TSA, VA Mental Health, employment opportunities, claims Including PACT Act claims, VA open enrollment, homeless veteran’s benefits, local veteran food banks, Veteran’s Court resources, the VA Veteran Suicide team, VA Homeless team, and VA women’s health were present. There were over 16 tables at the resource fair.
In all, over 120 veterans from around Southwest Montana District 6 who are Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were processed for eligibility for the PACT Act and other claims, as were a smaller number of post-9/11 veterans. This was the one of the first such resource fairs initiated in the State of Montana for the PACT Act and other claims, but not the last. The lessons learned from this event are being used to establish several other resource fairs across the Department of Montana.
These fairs are an important event to show that The American Legion is out to help and represent all veterans of all eras.
The event is also a great recruiting tool for the Legion.