Cumberland County Department of Veterans Affairs

The county's page. "Provides NACVSO accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) services, information, and referral to other resources to our county military veterans and their families." "Advocates for clients with the application process for benefits from the Veterans Administration and other federal and state agencies. VA Benefits include Service Connected Disability, Non-Service Connected Pension, Aid and Attendance, Survivors Pension, DIC, Burial Benefits, TDIU and referrals for assistance with Education Benefits and Eligibility Certificates for home ownership." "Oversees the operations and day-to-day activities of the Cumberland County Veterans' Cemetery to include working with all funeral homes servicing the families of our departed veterans, spouses and/or dependents." "Orchestrates the issuance of interment memorial markers and Presidential Memorial Certificates." "Maintains a close liaison-ship with county veterans' organizations." "Responsible for distributing Memorial Day Flags to all organizations designated to place flags at the over 70 cemeteries in the county." "Holds the annual 'Military Honors' event with the presentation of the Cumberland County Military Service Medal." "Works with the Rotary Club to hold the annual 'Wreaths of Remembrance' event held each December." Discharge upgrades. "If you have a less than fully Honorable discharge characterization and feel that you received this due to an unjust or erroneous reason, you may apply for a discharge upgrade. Discharge Review Boards (DRB) and Boards for Correction of Military/Navy Records (BCM/NR) have been directed by Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) to apply new legislation and DOD Memoranda known as the Hagel, Kurta, Wilkie, and Carson memoranda. These documents direct that veterans who satisfy certain conditions receive 'liberal consideration' from the DRB and BCM/NR. Liberal consideration requires that Boards determine whether PTSD, TBI, MST, or other mental health conditions mitigate and outweigh misconduct." The page adds that "some Service members were separated with a less than a fully honorable discharge characterization solely for their refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine, depriving them of veterans' benefits," that boards have been directed to remove such adverse actions, and that "An accredited VSO will review your case and determine next steps... Veteran must supply a copy of their DD-214... VSO will assist with forms (DD-293 and/or DD-149)." Where to go. "Stephen Cervini, Director. Phone: 856-453-2239. Fax: 856-455-5794. Office: 135 Sunny Slope Dr., Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302. Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM." The county's 2026 directory prints the Veterans' Affairs/Interment & Commission at that address with Commissioner co-liaisons Robert Austino and Jim Sauro, and lists the Veterans' Commission members: Dewey Capriotti (Vineland), Sonia Figueroa (Millville), Joseph E. Klaudi (Commercial Township), Robert Bruce Lane (Vineland), J Roy Oliver (Dorchester) and Seth Silver (Millville). The board's December 16, 2025 budget packet carries the department's salaries: Assistant Veterans Svc Officer $46,280 (2025)/$47,206 (2026) and the County Department Head, Veterans' Affairs, $70,000/$71,400. The board's minutes record the county's Veterans Affairs office "setting up lit for the public to use indicating a marker list" at the cemetery (June 23, 2026).