County Veterans Discount Program Off To Great Start
Over 900 Montco veterans have received their photo-ID cards, which can be used for discounts at more than 80 different locations across the county.
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It's only been a couple of months since Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Nancy Becker implemented the county's veterans discount program, but already a group of nearly 1,000 former service-members has signed up to take advantage of the discounts made available by more than 80 local businesses.
As a result, Chairman Josh Shapiro took the liberty to tout the program's early success during Thursday's Montgomery County Commissioners meeting.
"We've handed out photo ID cards to over 900 veterans since we started the program in March of this year, and we've recorded nearly 500 new military discharges," said Shapiro.
In order to participate in the program, veterans are asked to bring their DD-214 Certificate of Release to the Recorder of Deeds office at One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown. Once the discharge paperwork is on file, the veteran will receive a photo ID card, which allows them to take advantage of discounts offered by participating businesses throughout the county.
"On behalf of all the commissioners, thank you [Nancy Becker] for all of your work," said Shapiro, addressing Becker as she sat during the meeting. "On Behalf of veterans, thank you for all of your work."
So far, Becker has amassed a list of more than 80 participating businesses, which supply a variety of products and services ranging from discounted meals to electrical contracting services. For businesses that may be interested in participating in the program, the county requests a one-year enrollment period with an annual automatic renewal, though vendors may withdraw from the program at any point after 12 months by giving 30-days written notice.
"This is a unique opportunity for businesses to advertise their products or services, increase their customers, and most importantly, show their appreciation to our veterans who have served to protect our freedoms," said Becker, in a March press release.
For additional information on the program, as well as a full list of participating businesses, visit the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds website at http://www.montcopa.org/rod, or contact Nancy Becker directly at 610-278-3294.
Harry
4:20 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
A photo ID is required??? Big Brother getting bigger and bigger every day. I'm all for the troops, but this is nuts!!! Shouldn't they have some sort of military ID already????
Keith Heffintrayer
11:26 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
As a veteran, the only ID we receive upon our ETS date (estimated termination of service date) may be a short-lived military ID which we can use for PX and other privileges upon discharge.
Afterwards, aside from state-issued identification, the best we get is a VA ID card, which does nothing outside of the Veterans Administration.
Barry
7:56 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
What a freaking insult to veterans. Why in the world would I want my DD-214 on file with the county?
Do you politicians in the county... who never served in uniform ... think the reason that millions of brave men and women served this country is so they can come home and get some cheap discount card?
Where were you when a US Marine and his family was being evicted recently by the bank from their home in West Norriton? Nobody helped him. Maybe he needed a discount card from the county.
Honor the vets for their service and reach out and help those who need help. Do not insult them with some advertising gimmick because you feel guilty in 2012.
Where were you when thousands of vets came home in the 1960's and 1970's?
There was nobody around to thank us then
. I think you know what you can do with your discount card.
Keith Heffintrayer
11:30 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hi Barry,
I believe you are referencing Ronald Dzeiwit, who I wrote about last autumn. Here is the link:
http://norristown.patch.com/articles/i-wanted-the-american-dream
I'm going to attempt to follow up with him in the near future, so while this doesn't address your entire post, at least we can update you on his current status.
Keith
Barry
8:02 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=x2L3skZ7FEw
Julianne Wylie
8:29 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Just a quick question, if the person doesn't have his release form anymore but has a photo ID how can he get this--he is a disable vet just signed some of his benefits to an old girlfriend when he came home
Keith Heffintrayer
11:32 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hi Julianne,
Unfortunately I believe he would still need his DD-214, but there are avenues that can be used to receive a replacement. Be careful of scam websites, and if you need any help, email me at keith.heffintrayer@patch.com and I can put you in touch with the right people at PERSCOM.
Michelle
6:11 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Any vet can request a copy of their dd214, it's faster on-line, but it does take a few weeks minimum to get the copy. As far as signing benefits over to a girlfriend...can't happen.
Harry
7:40 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
My point was if a discharged vet has his/her valid VA card, that should be enough! Why more government BS?? That's right, so the politicians can make themselves look and feel good.
Still don't agree with or like it. Our vets deserve much better than a county issued ID card.
We need less government, not more.
Michelle
6:28 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Here is my take on this, Montgomery County started this as a means to assist veterans who do not a form of identification, which is generally required to take advantage of the local benefits, such as a free meal at Applebee's on Veteran's day. When I was discharged, I received a temp ID card that served as an inactive ID card until my final end of contracted years. At that point, that card was invalid. I do not have a VA card. I have nothing other than a 214 saying I served, but my name has changed since then so it's not good for verification with my current license. I have a VFW membership card, but that has no picture, and not every veteran who has served has joined a veteran's organization. So, this program does serve it's purpose for those veteran's who want to take advantage of local organizations that would like to offer us a discount. And as far as the county having a copy of the 214 on file, I think that all returning WWII veteran's have their 214's on file with the court house. It's also how veteran's families are given a bronze flag holder after the veteran passes. Other wise, they would have no idea who to issue them to...