Area veterans are invited to a public forum hosted by Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior. Boyle is organizing the event with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs during Gov. Jim Doyle's sixth annual Up North Tour.
Doyle, Lt. Gov. Barb Lawton, and secretaries and staff of various state departments are traveling throughout northern Wisconsin this week.
The goal of the forum is to inform veterans about the benefits available to them, Boyle said in a prepared statement. Area veterans also have an opportunity to express concerns they have to the department's secretary, John Scocos, he said.
"The Wisconsin Veterans Board is conducting its meeting in Superior on (August) 14th and 15th," said Boyle. "Since they are already going to be in the area, I thought it would be the ideal time to provide veterans an opportunity to speak to the people that are in decision-making positions."
Others planning to attend the forum include Scocos' staff, members of Wisconsin's veterans board, U.S. Rep. Dave Obey and U.S. senators, Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, and state Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar.
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"Staff of the WDVA will be available to talk individually with veterans to discuss programs that might benefit them," Boyle said. "It's common for veterans to not be aware of benefits they are eligible for. Hopefully we can continue to alleviate that problem by making the information readily accessible."
In addition, veterans having difficulties with federal benefits will have the opportunity to meet individually with members of Wisconsin's congressional staff.
"These folks will follow-up with the federal Veterans Administration to ensure our veterans are receiving the benefits they are entitled to," said Boyle.
The public forum runs 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Richard I. Bong Heritage Center.
In addition to the forum, the board that provides oversight for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday at Barker's Island.
The department provides services and benefits to Wisconsin's 480,000 veterans.
The last time the board met in Superior was in October 2004, said Pete Moran of Superior, who is serving the final year of his six-year term on the state board.
