Caldwell Veterans Hall reports rising service workload, volunteer hours and asks council to repeat $30,000 appropriation

Terry, representing the Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall, delivered the Hall—s annual update at the Dec. 16 council meeting and asked the council to include $30,000 in the FY26 budget to support operations.

Terry described the Hall—s staffing and services: two full-time veteran service officers and growing volunteer support; the Hall is open at least 2,080 hours annually and staff and volunteers routinely make house calls to veterans who cannot travel to the Hall. He said volunteers logged well over 18,000 hours last year and cited examples of services including helping veterans obtain Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, coordinating burials in veterans cemeteries, organizing major community events (Memorial Day flags on Canyon Hill, Independence Day parades) and providing a Christmas Eve dinner (open to the public) that will serve 200 meals, with food donated by a local retailer.

Terry highlighted economic and human impacts: he cited a federal-source figure (National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics) and said veteran-related federal benefits flowing through local claims work amounted to roughly $224,000,000 in the county and reiterated the value of local service officers in connecting veterans to benefits. He said the Veterans Hall continues to partner with the police (Lieutenant Damon Rice serves as a liaison), local courts (veterans treatment court) and statewide veteran networks to serve those in need.

Terry closed by asking council to repeat the FY26 appropriation of $30,000 to help cover operating expenses and thanked council for support.

What happens next: Council thanked the Hall for the presentation and said staff would follow up on the appropriation request during the FY26 budget process. The Hall indicated plans for continued outreach and expanded volunteer recruitment.