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DAV may lose office here
0823 DAV office exterior
The local chapter of Disabled American Veterans could lose its office space next month. The chapter is currently at 110 Bagley Ave. in downtown Hinesville. - photo by Photo by Denise Etheridge
The local chapter of Disabled American Veterans is scheduled to lose its current office space in downtown Hinesville on Sept. 1.
The service officers who volunteer their time to assist disabled veterans in filing claims for medical care and other benefits say they will take their laptop computers and “set up shop” in the city’s park if need be, so they can continue to serve disabled vets.
“In my office alone, we’re seeing 100-200 veterans a month,” said Garlon Penland, commander of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 46. “We have no idea where we’re going.”
The small building, which was provided to the private, nonprofit group by Liberty County through the city of Hinesville, will be torn down so the city can provide parking for the new justice center, now under construction. The DAV office has been at 110 Bagley Ave. in Hinesville for about three years.
“I have 10 service officers who man the office in Hinesville five days a week,” Penland said. “I’d sure hate to see it shut down.”
“Our main purpose is helping veterans,” said DAV service officer Frank Scheidt. “We survive and operate on donations and the money we raise from the few fundraisers we hold each year.”
Scheidt said the county receives federal funds to provide a place for the DAV to operate.
He added that by assisting disabled veterans in getting the benefits they are due, these veterans in turn can contribute to the local economy.
“They utilize these claims to live on,” Scheidt said.
 “I know the county has been working to resolve the problem, but I’m not sure where they are in the process,” said Liberty County Assistant County Administrator Robert Sprinkel.
Liberty County Administrator Joey Brown was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
Disabled veterans can call the DAV for assistance at 368-2546. The office is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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