Ironically, Kosciusko County veterans service officer Richard Maron’s office is lacking an Air Force uniform, the branch of service in which he served from 1987-93. Afterward, he served four years in the Air Force Reserves at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mt. Clemens, Mich. (Photo by David Hazledine)

WARSAW — Military veterans can face a number of physical and psychological problems, often, though not always, related to combat. In Kosciusko County, the Department of Veterans Affairs, headed by Richard Maron, veterans service officer, is there to help vets get the help they need.

Unfortunately, a large percentage do not take that all-important first step.

There are a number of reasons for this; a big one, according to Maron, is modesty. “Some feel like there are so many other vets worse off, and they don’t want to add more traffic to the system.”

This problem may be exacerbated by media reports, which often characterize the Veterans Administration as inept and overwhelmed. However, this perception does not appear to correspond to the system as it operates locally.

“As the veterans service officer for the county, I would proudly tell you that a much larger percentage of the veterans I service are pleased with the VA,” Maron stated. In fact, according to a local survey, 85 percent reported themselves “happy” with the VA, while 15 percent said they were “unhappy.”

“I would like someone for once to talk with some guys that are thrilled with the VA,” he added.

Unfortunately, this modest self-deprecation among vets can sometimes be a symptom of depression. As of 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs was reporting as many as 22 veterans committing suicide per day, often as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder, and many believe the number to be even higher. Maron referred to the issue as an “epidemic,” and added the Trump administration has made it a priority, along with the problems of increased opiate addiction among veterans.

The administration has also addressed another factor in vets not receiving care, their distance from a clinic. The Choice Program, said Maron, “Currently allows veterans to receive outside care if they must wait 30 days or more for an appointment or drive more than 40 miles to a VA facility.”

This program will hopefully alleviate an additional problem. Veterans are far less likely to follow through when there is a delay initiating care.

While some vets are hearing negatives about the system, others hear nothing at all. “Unfortunately, there are still many that are just unaware that the help is out there and available to them,” lamented Maron.

VA research also suggests many veterans are either unaware they may have PTSD or do not believe they can be helped.

A strong support system, whether composed of family members, the community or other veterans, plays an essential role in veterans receiving the care they need. In the last few years, the VA has also made significant improvements to its initial screening process, enabling it to identify PTSD sooner and more often. The problem, again, is getting the vets screened in the first place.

From 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 8, the VA and other local organizations will be supporting veterans with the Military Veteran Stand Down event at Center Lake Pavilion, 119 E. Canal St., Warsaw. Veterans will receive access to VA benefits administration, Social Security counseling, employment assistance, educational opportunities, housing assistance, health screenings, legal assistance, dental assistance and more, along with free personal items and a free lunch provided for vets and their families.

Maron may be reached Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at (574) 372-2436 or by email at [email protected].