Darrell Harstad, left, is a regular driver for Barnes County Veterans Service Officer Jim Verwey, right. Both Harstad and Verwey drive veterans to their appointments in Fargo, Jamestown, or wherever they have to go. Harstad had just returned with veteran, Don Weber, from a trip to Fargo. (Submitted photo)  

By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

Today is Veterans’ Day and this year the Times-Record is featuring Barnes County Veterans Service Officer Jim Verwey, who is himself a veteran.
Verwey has been the Veterans Service officer since May of 2005.
“I would encourage all the people in the county to reach out to a veteran on this Veterans’ Day and thank the veteran for his or her service. I would encourage all veterans to reach out and join one of the fine veterans’ organizations we have in the county,” Verwey said.  
“I feel that my 36-plus years in the military and more than 20 years as a school administrator have helped me a lot,” Verwey said.
“I was the command sergeant major of the 142nd Engineer Battalion and was responsible to look out for the morale and welfare of the men and women under my command. That is how I relate to this job; I am here to look out for the welfare of the veterans in Barnes County. The caseload in the office has veterans from the age of 19 to 99 years old,” Verwey explains.
“I have a very dependable driver in Darrell Harstad. I can count on him at any hour of the day or night to take a veteran to the V.A. hospital. We get emergency calls on weekends to take veterans to the hospital, so either Darrel or I will take them to Fargo. We also coordinate services with the Barnes County Seniors for rides to the V.A.,” Verwey said.
The local office provides services for about 1,200 veterans or spouses in Barnes County, who received approximately about $3.5 million in benefits from the V.A. in 2007.
Verwey said, “For every dollar, the county pays for this office, we bring in almost $100 ...   not a bad return on the investment.” As a special outreach, the Veterans Service Office provides services to about 25 veterans or spouses in the Sheyenne Care Center.
Some other things Verwey handles through the Veterans Service Office are:
He coordinates the annual deer hunt at Camp Grafton for handicapped veterans. “I work with the Quilts of Valor Organization to provide a quilt to veterans who have been wounded physically or mentally in the war on terrorism. I also distribute ‘Blue Star Banners’ made by local quilters to families who have a loved one in harms way,” Verwey said.
The office also handles scholarships for college students through the various military service organizations.
“I really enjoy this position and appreciate all the help I have received. The veterans and their families are great to work with. The community resources: radio, newspaper, medical and dental facilities, schools, churches, and funeral homes, have been very supportive,” Verwey said.

For full story, see Tuesday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.