BIG FLATS – County Executive Tom Santulli announced today the Elmira Corning Regional Airport and the Bath VA Medical Center have partnered to provide a Veterans Welcome Display in the airport’s terminal lobby.  The display offers literature for returning service men and women which details the benefits they may be entitled to and answers many of the questions veterans returning from service may have.

“We see many of our military men and women come through the Elmira Corning Regional Airport and we are delighted with this opportunity to work with the VA to welcome our service-people home and provide information that they need,” said Ann Crook, Airport Manager.

“We can’t thank the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport enough for partnering with us in reaching out to our nation’s veterans,” said David J. West, Medical Center Director.  “We are always looking for new opportunities to spread the word about health care benefits to veterans, in particular, our returning young men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The Bath VA Medical Center, part of VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York, serves veterans in Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates counties in New York, and Tioga and Potter counties in Pennsylvania. In addition to the main facility located in Bath, NY, two Community Based Outpatient Clinics are located in Elmira and Wellsville, NY for veterans to access.

As well as information on the health care benefits available through the Veterans Administration, the display also offers information on the services available through the County Department of Veterans Affairs.  “It is important for returning vets to visit their local Veterans Services Office to help them pursue claims for federal, state, and local benefits,” said Robert Bly, Director of the Chemung County Department of Veteran’s Affairs. “They may not need us right away but the VA claims process is very legally complicated, and most vets receive more benefits when they receive our help. When they have questions, we want them to know we are here for them.”