Cumberland County has hired Local Veteran Jefferey Connors as the county’s new veterans service officer.
Connors said he has spent a total of 29 years in the Air Force. Connors said the reason he wanted the position is so he can help take care of veterans, as he feels most of them are underserved when it comes to benefits
“From VA statistics, only about 30 percent are service-connected,” Connors said. “And I talk to a lot of veterans, and I ask them if they use healthcare and if they use benefits. Some do, but most say they don’t.”
Connors said most veterans feel that the VA is difficult to negotiate with, but with the county’s veterans office, he hopes to change that for many veterans. Connors said he looks forward to starting his new position in January.
“Serving veterans, I think, is gonna be, I have not started yet, but I think it is gonna be the pinnacle of my career,” Connors said. “And you know, I still appreciate the county commissioners and the mayor, and the director of personnel for making that selection of me, and I am gonna give it 110 percent.”
Connors said one of his goals is for his office to help as many of the estimated 6,000 veterans who live in Cumberland County.
“Our VSO office has some great people, and they do very good work, and I hope to be a big part in that and add to their success and reach out to veterans who previously either did not feel that they were taken care of or have never talked about benefits with anybody else. That’s gonna be a lofty goal to get ahold of those folks, but intend to give it 110 percent and make it happen.”
Connors said financial and healthcare benefits are important compensation for time served in the military. Connors said his message to local veterans is that if they need help to reach out. Connors said the United States loses about 17 veterans a day due to suicide.