Georgia hosts We CARE Vet Fair for veterans and families
More than 1,200 veterans, service members, caregivers, and family members gathered in Rome, Georgia, on June 11-12 for the We CARE Vet Fair, a comprehensive resource event designed to connect those who served with the benefits and services they've earned. Hosted by United Military Care in partnership with AdventHealth, the fair brought together representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, and more than 120 veteran-serving organizations under one roof. The event offered one-on-one assistance with disability claims, healthcare enrollment, employment resources, caregiver support, burial pre-certification services, and direct access to medical providers.
The We CARE Vet Fair model addresses a persistent challenge many veterans face: navigating a fragmented system of benefits and services spread across multiple agencies, offices, and organizations. Rather than requiring veterans to visit separate locations for claims assistance, healthcare enrollment, and community resources, these fairs consolidate essential services into a single accessible event. For disabled veterans in particular, this approach removes significant barriers, especially for those dealing with mobility limitations, transportation challenges, or the cognitive load of managing multiple appointments across different systems.
The Rome event served veterans across the eligibility spectrum, from those filing their first disability claim to dual-military couples seeking resolution on existing compensation issues. One family attending the fair was experiencing homelessness and living in a hotel following an eviction while grieving a recent loss. They had discovered their local veterans service office was closed and followed a sign to the Rome fair hoping to resolve a disability compensation issue. VA staff confirmed their disability paperwork had been processed and that retroactive compensation would arrive that week, while Georgia Department of Veterans Service representatives connected them with community partners who provided immediate assistance including a grocery gift card and on-site health screenings.
Several attendees shared their experiences, highlighting the value of face-to-face support. Army Veteran William Schriver traveled from Macon expecting long wait times but received help almost immediately, reporting that his claim was moving forward. Marine Corps Veteran Jeffrey Westphal nearly skipped the event but left with more information than he anticipated, advising other veterans not to let anything stop them from attending. Navy Veteran Paula Jasper appreciated having everything in one place, while Army Veteran Robert Pryor was so impressed he immediately texted six or seven fellow veterans encouraging them to attend.
For disabled veterans, events like the We CARE Vet Fair represent a critical access point, particularly for those who may be underrated, unaware of secondary conditions they can claim, or struggling with the complexity of the VA system. The combination of claims specialists, healthcare enrollment teams, and community support organizations in one location means veterans can address multiple aspects of their benefits simultaneously rather than managing a piecemeal approach across weeks or months. The presence of state veterans service officers alongside federal VA representatives also ensures veterans can access both federal benefits and state-specific programs designed to supplement VA compensation and services.
Georgia veterans have two additional opportunities to access these services in 2024, with fairs scheduled for Columbus on July 24 and Marietta on October 22. Each event offers the same comprehensive access to benefits assistance, healthcare enrollment, employment resources, and community support. Veterans who are uncertain about their current enrollment status, have pending claims, or simply want to understand what benefits they may qualify for should consider attending. Even those who believe they have their benefits situation handled may discover additional resources or programs they weren't aware of, as several Rome attendees experienced firsthand.