Representatives from Veteran Health Indiana pass out information and discuss benefits during the Indiana State Fair in August. The organization is hosting a free screening of “Patton” at Canary Creek Drive In on Sept. 17, where all local veterans can come to see the film and receive information on benefits.
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For area veterans, the main draw of the special event at Canary Creek Drive-In on Saturday is a chance to see “Patton,” the classic film about one of the United State’s greatest military leaders, on the big screen.
But before the movie starts, they’ll have the opportunity to get information about potential benefits, ask questions about health care and connect to a wide variety of resources.
Veteran Health Indiana is hosting the free event, which starts at 6 p.m. with the movie starting at 8 p.m. Any U.S. military veteran is welcome to attend and bring guests in one vehicle to see the film.
The outreach is a way to reach local veterans in person to ensure they’re getting all of the benefits owed to them, said Rick Ramirez, office of public affairs with the Indianapolis VA Medical Center.
“We love to interact with veterans. We want to talk to veterans, hear their stories, tell their stories and above all, make sure they’re taken care of,” he said. “We want to be sure they have what they need, even if it’s just listening to their issues.”
For the past two years, the pandemic limited the ways that Veteran Health Indiana could reach area veterans. But this year, they’ve been able to ramp up those efforts. For example, the organization had tents set up throughout the duration of the Indiana State Fair.
“We find that when we broadcast or do news releases or send things out in the mail, it’s a little harder without the personal contact,” Ramirez said. “And they’re very limited in what they see in that, whereas, if they come out and meet with a benefits representative, they’re going to get a lot of their questions answered that way.”
Veterans will have the opportunity to talk to representatives from the Veteran Benefits Administration and Veteran Health Indiana prior to the start of the movie. They can start the application process and learn about health care and other benefits, such as home loans, legal assistance and disability benefits.
“A lot of times, people come to our events and say, ‘Yeah, I’m already enrolled in the VA,’ but they didn’t know about the new service that we offer,” Ramirez said.
Veterans should bring their DD214 or other veteran ID. Prior registration is required and can be done by calling 317-988-3497 or going online at https://bit.ly/3bfiZp0.
“It’s important to get the word out while being there face-to-face as much as we can,” Ramirez said. “We try to get out and meet with the veterans in the communities where they live at, places where they hang out.”
