Garfield County (Nebraska) Veterans Service Office

The office now. Garfield County's Veterans Services page lists the Veterans Service Officer as "Vacant" and says the office's hours "vary, call for current hours". Tim Rowse, the county's officer for 18 years, gave the Board a resignation letter effective June 30, 2026 (April 14, 2026); on June 23, 2026 the Board gave him a plaque, and he told it that it would need to advertise for his replacement and make the appointment on the recommendation of the Veteran's Service Board. "Garfield County VSO Appointment" is on the Board's October 13 and October 27, 2026 agendas; the October 13 minutes record no action. The State's directory, updated October 26, 2026, still lists Mr. Rowse, on Wednesdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00) or by appointment, at 1237 G Street, Burwell (PO Box 122, Burwell, NE 68823). Until a new officer is appointed, call the County Clerk, (308) 346-4161, or any county veterans service officer for VA and State claims. What the office does. The county's County Benefits page lists county veterans aid (see that entry), a bronze grave flag holder (inventoried each year and replaced when damaged), registration of DD-214s ("the veteran may call us from any where in the world and we will provide them with a 'certified copy'"), the VA's yearly letter of eligible veterans and widows for the Assessor's homestead exemption, grave registration with a Presidential Memorial Certificate for the family of every deceased county veteran, and benefits counselling. Homestead certification. The Assessor's homestead FAQ, under "How do I qualify as a Disabled Veteran or their Widow?", lists the exemptions for a veteran totally disabled by a non-service-connected illness or accident, each "(annual certification required)", and sends the veteran to the Veterans Service Office first for a physician's form and the office's certification. The application under section 77-3508 is annual, but 77-3508(1)(c) says the medical certification need not be repeated when the condition has not changed, though the assessor may ask for it again (see the Nebraska entries). The Board's year. Mr. Rowse's quarterly reports were reviewed in 2025 and on January 27, 2026, he presented his annual reports on October 28, 2025 and a six-month report on April 14, 2026, and the Board approved Resolution 2025-15, "Veteran's Service Fund", on September 9, 2025. The filed 2025-2026 budget gives the office (0100-803) $17,125.00, against $16,074.00 spent in 2024-2025: the officer's $14,200.00 salary ($13,615.00 in 2024-2025), $400.00 for grave markers and flags and office costs.