Veterans News Bureau

You can find Jerry Sherlock’s blog here: http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/

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Texas has awarded the first grant from a fund created to provide emergency assistance to veterans across the state.

The $1 million grant, announced by Gov. Rick Perry during a visit to Houston on Wednesday, has been given to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The group will use the grant to provide veterans and their families emergency assistance with household, vehicle, childcare, medical and personal expenses. Awards can be for up to $1,000.

The fund, supervised by the Texas Veterans Commission, was created by the Legislature in 2007.

Veterans can apply for the grant through on application on the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Web site.

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The injuries and trauma Eric Benson suffered in 12 years of military service proved to be the key to a civilian job he loves — helping other disabled veterans find jobs.

Benson is one of 70 disabled veterans hired in the last year by the state Department of Workforce Development in a special effort to set an example for other employers. Benson’s position as a disabled veterans job counselor puts him in a position to continue the push.

“The best part is I’m still serving,” Benson said. “It may not be with the military, but it’s for the military and the community. If you help someone get a job, you’ve made a big difference in their situation.”

Benson specializes in working with homeless veterans, making sure they have food, shelter and any medical treatment, training and counseling they need to get them ready for an interview.

Veterans tend to make good employees, said Kenneth Grant, who directs the Office of Veterans Services, where Benson has worked since April.

“They understand what dedication is, what teamwork is, and it makes them a much better employee,” said Grant, a veteran who is rated 60 percent disabled with hearing loss, joint damage and circulation problems. His office operates under a U.S. Department of Labor contract requiring that he and all of his 35 employees are disabled veterans.

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A Texas man builds mortgage-free homes for injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

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Darius Rucker visits hospitalized veterans ahead of Wednesday, March 3 benefit concert for Musicians On Call, which aims to bring together patients and music.

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