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Citizens across the U.S. will take part in events to honor the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The holiday observes the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice at the end of World War I, which took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Veterans Day was designated a national holiday in 1938.

In Oswego County, there are more than 15,000 men and women who have served in our armed forces, from World War II to the present Iraqi conflict.

The Oswego County Veterans Service Agency helps veterans and their dependents obtain the benefits that they're entitled to. These include pensions, compensation for injuries, health care, educational benefits, tax exemptions, and other programs.

The office is on the second floor of the County Branch Office Building at 200 N. Second St., Fulton, and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The agency also has office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse in Pulaski on the first and second Thursdays of every month, to assist veterans and their families in the northern part of the county.

Veterans administrator Donna W. Kestner, an Army veteran and Army widow, knows from personal experience some of the challenges faced by veterans and their families. Donna was born and raised in Fulton, and served in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon near the end of the Vietnam War. Her husband was a practicing dentist and an Army colonel, and the family lived at West Point with their two daughters for several years. He retired after 23 years in the military and the family moved to Fulton, where her husband had a dental practice. He passed away about seven years ago.

Although they are one the county's smallest departments, with two full-time and one part-time staff, they help more than 250 veterans, widows and children a month with applications and paperwork for the benefits that they're entitled to. This can involve complicated issues like determining if a veteran's medical condition is related to injuries suffered years earlier in active duty, to simpler but equally important tasks, like ordering a bronze grave marker for a deceased veteran's family.

Kestner said the veterans of our nation's most recent conflicts often face serious needs. More of the soldiers returning from Iraq have lost limbs than veterans of previous wars. Gulf War veterans are showing symptoms of asthma, chronic fatigue and other medical conditions. And more Vietnam era servicemen, even those stationed on Navy ships, are being diagnosed with Type II diabetes, believed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange. Kestner encourages Vietnam Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with Type II diabetes to contact her office.

Federal, state and local agencies offer a wide range of programs to help veterans and their families. The Veterans Service Agency can help determine which benefits they may be eligible for, assist with applications, and do research to help with the appeals process. The office also assists men and women on active duty in the National Guard and reserve units.

I encourage veterans and their dependents to call the Veterans Service Agency, phone 591-9100, to set up an appointment for the Fulton and Pulaski offices.

Kestner notes that veterans as a group are very thankful for the assistance that they receive. On Nov. 11, I hope that each one of us takes the time to thank the veterans in our communities for their service to our nation.