Pee Dee veterans get help from new organization

A new organization has been formed to help Pee Dee veterans.

The Pee Dee Area Veteran’s Advisory Council’s mission is to help former military personnel get connected with the proper people to address any problems they are having.

“The purpose is to unify the veterans and the veterans organizations of the Pee Dee area,” said Michael McIntire, commander of the newly formed group. “We are here to offer job assistance, medical care, housing assistance, applications assistance for veterans benefits and much more.”

The council is serving Florence, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Georgetown, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties. It has its headquarters in Florence.

The council consists of area veterans and representatives of veteran service organizations — such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, Marine Corps League, Veterans Honor Guard, Purple Heart Society, Disabled American Veterans, county veterans affairs service officers and medical and legal counsel personnel.

“We are going to plan, coordinate and implement any other programs and activities that serve the best interests of our veterans,” McIntire said. “One of our primary concerns is a homeless shelter. We have a lot of veterans in need of facilities like these.”

McIntire alluded to a homeless shelter scheduled to open in Manning next month.

“We’re looking at doing the same thing here,” he said. “Florence is big enough and has enough empty property for a shelter. We want it to be fully equipped with a counseling center and everything the veteran needs.”

Rick Walden is the Florence County Veterans Affairs officer. He’s retired from the military and has been in office for five years. He is among those who have pushed for establishment of the Pee Dee Area Veteran’s Advisory Council.

“I’m proud of the veterans who came forward and said they wanted to be members,” Walden said. “We want to address issues for the veterans whether they be on a local, state or national level. We want to make sure they’re guided in the right direction and receive all the help they need.”

The council also is going to push hard for more media coverage for veterans events. Members strongly feel there has been a dearth of such coverage in the Pee Dee.

“The veterans deserve all the coverage they can get,” McIntire said. “They’ve been kicked to the curb for the two years that I’ve been here. We need more coverage.”