Our speaker this coming Tuesday evening will be Highlands County Veterans Service officer Denise Williams. She has served local Highlands County veterans for better than a quarter century.
Highlands County Veterans Services office assists veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and navigating the sometimes complex Veterans Administration system. As part of the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County, the office provides education and training benefits to eligible veterans, dependents, reservists, and service members.
Williams says that many veterans are unaware of the benefits they could receive.
“Especially since the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics or PACT Act was signed into law in 2022, many veterans are unaware of what they are entitled,” Williams said.
She regularly meets with veterans and helps them search for possible benefits. In addition, she served as one of the speakers. “We [the VSO] are there to help you navigate the system,” Williams said.
Williams has done a great deal for veterans in our community, and here are just some of the many highlights:
• Largest retroactive claim secured for a veteran: $314,000
• Largest retroactive claim secured for a surviving spouse: $87,000
• Chaplain of Disabled American Veterans Ridge Chapter 49
• Named the Champion for Children’s Hometown Hero in 2017
• Member of the United Way community investment team
• Chaplain for the Medal of Honor committee
• 2nd Vice Commander for American Legion Post 25
• National SHARP (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention) Coordinator – U.S. Army
• 2022 Rotary Freedom Flight Board liaison
A retired Army veteran, she has been serving as the county’s Veteran Service Officer since 2011.
The Highlands Tea Party meets Tuesday evenings at the Vietnam Veterans Hall, 33565 Grand Prix Drive (behind the Sebring Walmart). Doors open at 5pm with meetings commencing at 6pm.