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County grants, Honor Flight and local veteran events highlighted at advisory committee meeting
Summary
County officials reported a $2.3 million Texas Veterans Commission grant for the West Texas region; committee members highlighted recent homeless stand down, upcoming Honor Flight travel dates, a Veterans Day parade Nov. 8 and a proposed citywide veteran discount program.
El Paso-area officials and advisory committee members on Sept. 18 reported a major Veterans Commission grant and a series of veterans-focused events and initiatives that local organizations should share with veterans and families.
Antoinette Hunt told the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee that West Texas received approximately $2.3 million in grant funding from the Texas Veterans Commission to support financial assistance, mental-health services and transportation for veterans in the region. “2.4 or $2,300,000 was given to the West Texas region from Texas Veterans Commission in grant money,” Hunt said, and she urged improved outreach so veterans know how to access services supported by the grant.
Committee and county representatives praised a large homeless stand down event that assembled VA, city, county, VSOs and community partners to provide food, benefits assistance, housing and other services to unsheltered veterans. Committee members thanked volunteers and partner agencies for the event’s turnout and service provision.
The Division of Veteran and Military Affairs staff reminded committee members about Honor Flight departure and return dates: departure Sept. 25 (very early morning) and arrival Sept. 27. Staff encouraged the public to attend the airport welcome and send-off events.
Committee members outlined other upcoming events: a Veterans Day parade planned for Nov. 8 that will combine multiple local parades for a larger celebration; a resource meeting in District 4 on Nov. 5; and a VFW-collaborated barbecue and resource fair planned Oct. 9 at the El Paso VA Medical Center. The county also plans a Commissioners Court resolution for Gold Star Moms and Families on Oct. 6 tied to Gold Star Families Day Sept. 28.
On a policy and recognition item, committee members said city and county staff are exploring a citywide veteran discount program modeled on practices in Tyler, Texas; discussions include criteria for business participation, sticker or QR-code identification, and ways to help veterans find participating businesses. “If we work together, this is something that we can definitely…get this done quite easily,” a county speaker said.
The committee also reminded the public that nominations for the county’s Veteran of the Year award were due at the end of the month and encouraged timely submissions.
No formal votes were taken; the meeting did not have a quorum for actions. Committee members asked staff to continue outreach so veterans can find and use the newly funded services and event opportunities.
