VETERAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION UPDATE
Aiken County Veterans Affairs: Major Dwight Bradham is the Aiken County Veterans Affairs Officer. He and his team do a great job for our veterans in Aiken County! The office can be reached at (803) 642-1545 and at dbradham@aikencountysc.gov by email. The office website is here. If you have any veteran issue, please call the office. You can also follow that office on Facebook and on Twitter.
Congressman Wilson — Veteran Assistance: The local number to Congressman Wilson’s Aiken County office is (803) 642-6416. My State Senate office also regularly assists veterans with many issues. The number is (803) 212-6320 or contact me.
Veterans Affairs Websites: The State’s Department of Veterans Affairs provides many services. To learn more, go here. The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website can be accessed here.
S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veterans’ Benefits Pamphlet: The State DVA produced a publication as to veterans’ benefits which can be seen here.
Frequently Asked Questions for Veterans and their Families:
- How can I contact the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs?
- What services are offered by the S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs?
- How can I get education benefits from the Montgomery GI Bill?
- How can I get medical benefits from the VA?
- How can I get suicide prevention services from the VA?
- How can I get a home loan from the VA?
- How can I get life insurance from the VA?
- How can I get job training, vocational rehab, and employment services from the VA?
- As a dependent family member of a veteran who is deceased or has a service-connected disability, do I qualify for survivor benefits from the VA?
- How can I get a copy of my military records as a veteran?
- How do I request military medals, awards, and/or decorations that I earned in my military service?
South Carolina — Top State for Veterans: South Carolina is home to more veteran-owned businesses than any other state in the U.S. South Carolina’s military community is one of the strongest in the nation. In addition, South Carolina is recently considered the top state in the nation for military retirees. To learn more, go here.
National Guard Foundation: The S.C. National Guard Foundation supports the S.C. Army and Air Guard service members and their families. To learn more, go here.
Disabled Veterans – Free SCDNR Hunting and Fishing License: Disabled veterans are eligible for a free hunting and fishing license in South Carolina. To learn more, go here.
Tunnels to Towers Foundation: Since 9/11, this Foundation has helped America’s heroes by providing mortgage free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Also, the Foundation is involved in combatting veteran homelessness. To learn more, go here.
S.C. Tuition Assistance for Children of Veterans: To learn more about tuition assistance offered by South Carolina to children of certain war veterans, go here or here.
S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veterans’ Benefits Pamphlet: The State DVA produced a publication as to veterans’ benefits which can be seen here.
S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veteran Friendly Employer Program: The SCDVA highlights companies that recruit, empower, and enhance veterans in the workplace. To learn more, go here.
S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs — South Carolina Smart Start: This virtual transition program is designed to simplify the transition process from military to civilian life for service members and families relocating or living in South Carolina. To learn more, go here.
S.C. Department of Employment — STAYS Program: The SCDEW encourages veterans to stay in our state to work by offering interview opportunities to veterans who use the S.C. Works system. To learn more, go here.
S.C. Business One Stop: The state helps veterans learn the path and skills needed to start their own business through the S.C. Business One Stop. To learn more, go here.
Federal Veterans Admin. Newsletter: Veterans may already be enrolled and receiving the VA newsletters. For those who are not enrolled, you may subscribe here.
Cpl. Matthew V. Dillon Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart #2005: This veterans organization seeks additional members. Purple Heart recipients needs a copy of their DD214. Family members of a Purple Heart recipient can also join. The Chapter supports veterans throughout the CSRA in many ways. To learn more, call (803) 642-2761 or send an email to dillonnblp@bellsouth.net.
Veterans – Online Tool for Upgraded Discharge Applications: The Department of Defense, through a joint initiative with the Department of Veterans Affairs, has a web-based tool that will provide customized guidance to veterans who desire to upgrade or change the conditions of their military discharge. The tool can be found here.
Veterans Legal Clinic — USC School of Law: The USC School of Law operates the Veterans Legal Clinic. Veterans can inquire about help with a legal problem by calling (803) 777-2278 or going here.
Veterans Legal Help – S.C. Valor: The SC VALOR Program (Veteran and Armed Services Legal Outreach) is a statewide initiative that provides free or low‑cost legal assistance to veterans, active duty service members, reservists, and their families in South Carolina. The program is a partnership between the S.C. Bar, the S.C. Military Department, and the S.C. Attorney General’s Office. Areas covered include some aspects of family law, consumer law, and probate/estate planning. To learn more, go here.
Our Community Salutes — Midlands Chapter: This is a national organization, founded in 2009, to honor our nation’s graduating high school seniors who plan to enlist into the military following graduation. To learn more about the local Aiken County chapter, go here.
Top Schools for Veterans: In the past three years, USC Columbia was named the #1 school in the nation for veterans. To learn more, go here. Also, in the same publication, USC Aiken was nationally recognized as the #34 school in the nation for veterans. To learn more, go here.
Aiken County Veterans Council: The Aiken County Veterans Council is very active in our region supporting veterans and their families. To learn more, go here. Multiple local veteran groups and their contact information are on the Council’s site.
Other Resources for Veterans: The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes posts a directory of resources for veterans and their families which can be seen here.
Economic Impact of Military Community on our State: In 2022, this study by the University of South Carolina determined that the military community has a $34.3 Billion annual economic impact on South Carolina.
Aiken Veterans Administration Clinic — Operations Continue at Current Location: The VA Clinic in Aiken will operate at its current location at 951 Millbrook Avenue until January 2028. After that date, there are plans approved to transition to a new, larger building which will be provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.