Rice County Veteran Services (Veteran Service Officer Tracy McBroom)

The office. The county's Veteran Services page: "Department overview - To provide assistance and support to military veterans and their dependents in obtaining veteran benefits through county, state and federal programs, and to advocate on their behalf or direct them to other authorized agencies or providers as their needs dictate." Its "What we do" list: "Assist veterans in obtaining their military discharge documents (DD Form 214); Assist veterans enrolling in the VA Healthcare system; Schedule transportation for veterans to the Minneapolis VA Medical Centers; File claims for VA disability benefits; File claims for state disability benefits; Assist with burial benefits. Anyone living in Rice County who believes they are eligible for any of these benefits should contact the Veterans Services Office at 507-332-6117." The staff and the building. "Contact Us - Tracy McBroom, Veteran Service Officer" and the MACVSO directory's row: "Rice County - Tracy A. McBroom, CVSO, [email protected], Phone 507-332-6117, Hours 8:00 - 4:30 M-F; Office Staff - Rice County: Deb Malmanger, Administrative Assistant, [email protected]." The office is in the Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021; fax 1-507-333-3805; Northfield 1-507-645-9576; Lonsdale 1-507-744-5185; toll free 1-888-200-4807. The page posts the crisis line beside them: "Dial 988, then press 1, text 838255 or visit veteranscrisisline.net for 24/7 confidential crisis support." The markers and the flags. "Grave markers & flags: Families of deceased Rice County veterans buried in private cemeteries and who have not previously received a graveside marker can obtain one at the Rice County Veterans Services Offices. Replacement flags to use with the markers can also be obtained at the Veterans Services Office. For more information on both, call Deb Malmanger at 1-507-332-6117." And "Proper flag disposal: Tattered, torn U.S. flags should be disposed of in a dignified way, preferably burning. Some American Legion posts hold a flag-burning ceremony, typically on Flag Day, June 14, the Rice County Veteran Services Office collects flags in poor condition all year long for the annual rite. They can be dropped off weekdays at the Veterans Services Office in the Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault, or in the dropbox outside the front entrance to Faribault American Legion, 112 Fifth St. NW." The flood year. The page's top notice: "NEW: Disaster relief for veterans - Additional disaster relief of up to $500 is available through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to residents affected by the June floods who qualify as veterans. To apply, contact Rice County Veteran Services Officer Tracy McBroom ... or 1-507-332-6117," with the Disaster Relief Grant Guidelines, the Disaster Relief Overview and Executive Order 24-09 Disaster Relief linked. The page also carries the State's vehicle benefits beside the office's work: "Effective Jan. 1, 2024, veterans with a 100% total service-connected disability (includes TDIU) receive free motor vehicle registration, plate and title services for up to two vehicles" and "Starting July 1, 2024, purchases of a motor vehicle by a veteran having a 100% total service-connected disability (includes TDIU) are exempt from the motor vehicle sales tax."