Houghton County Veteran Service Office

06/01/2026

Liberty Dogs is a national Service Dog training and placement program for U.S. military Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

The program is scheduled to start this summer. To be eligible, applicants should be U.S. Veterans with a VA-diagnosed service-connected post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) condition. The screening process involves background checks, coordination with mental health providers, and an in-person skills assessment.

For more information and to submit a request to be notified when applications are open, go to: https://www.libertydogs.org/

05/29/2026

CHECK THIS OUT! The Armed Forces Vacation Club will have TWO drawings for Resort Vacation Certificates that can be used at destinations in EUROPE, the CARIBEAN, and in the U.S.! Veterans can register for the drawing ONLY at VetFest on June 17th at the MTU SDC in Houghton, Michigan. Winners will be drawn and announced on June 18th!

Just ANOTHER reason to attend VetFest....free $20 gas card for the first 500 Veterans, free T-Shirt (one per Veteran/Family), free Meal (everyone), door prize/raffles, and over 80 Veteran Service Providers with information on Veteran Benefits. ALL Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers are welcome!!!!!!

Share this with everyone that might know a Veteran who could benefit from this event.

AFVC offers active and retired military exclusive travel savings on resorts, car rentals & more. Free membership is one small way we thank you for your service.

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/index.asp

DID YOU KNOW? The VA helps Veterans, Servicemembers, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. As part of their mission to serve you, they provide a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy.

VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.

Main Pillars of the VA Home Loan Benefit:

o No downpayment required
(*Note: Lenders may require downpayments for some borrowers using the VA home loan guaranty, but VA does not require a downpayment)
o Competitively low interest rates
o Limited closing costs
o No need for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
o The VA home loan is a lifetime benefit: you can use the guaranty multiple times

AND if you are a Veteran and either you or your spouse is Native American, the VA has the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program that can help you get a loan to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land. For more information go to https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/loan-types/native-american-direct-loan/

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

05/21/2026

Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women.

Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868.

The modern proclamation calls on Americans "to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace."

https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp

There are many Memorial Day ceremonies throughout the Copper Country. See this list for information on the ceremonies near you. Let us know if there are corrections or additions.

05/15/2026

VETFEST!! VETFEST!! VETFEST!!

Did you know: The Michigan Secretary of State Mobile Office will be at VetFest again this year! Attendees can take care of just about any SoS transactions you may have, so take advantage of this special opportunity!

05/14/2026

Check this out! The Houghton High School Alumni Association is honoring Veterans this Saturday!

05/02/2026

DID YOU KNOW? Veterans can register for Veterans Administration Healthcare ON-THE-SPOT at VetFest on June 17th from 11am to 2pm at the SDC in Houghton! GET THE WORD OUT to any Veteran who is not already enrolled, even (and especially) if they have been turned down in the past. There are new rules and lots of ways to become eligible to receive healthcare from the highest rated VA Healthcare system in the United States (highest for the past 3 years!). The VHA will even be doing on-the-spot Toxic Exposure Screenings and we will have on-demand DD214'a available through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Reps from the Detroit VA Regional Office will be on site too.

And if that isn't enough, the Pasty's this year will be from the East Fork Pasty Company!

TELL EVERY VET YOU KNOW and SHARE THIS POST! This event is for ALL Veterans, regardless of where they live.

04/23/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

The VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program, also known as Chapter 31, helps eligible veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities prepare for civilian careers. Services may include career counseling, education, job training, employment accommodations, job placement assistance, and independent living support.

You may qualify if you are:

A veteran with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher and not dishonorably discharged.

An active-duty service member with a 20% or higher proposed disability rating who is preparing to separate or awaiting discharge due to a service-connected condition.

Note: Veterans discharged before January 1, 2013, generally have a 12-year eligibility period. Those discharged on or after that date currently have no time limit.

Five VR&E Program Tracks:

Reemployment – Return to a prior job or similar career field.

Rapid Access to Employment – Quick entry back into the workforce.

Self-Employment – Support for qualified veterans starting a business.

Long-Term Services – Extended education or training for new careers.

Independent Living – Services to help veterans live more independently.

Eligible participants may receive a monthly subsistence allowance based on training status, dependents, and program type. VR&E also helps match veterans with careers that accommodate disabilities or service-related limitations.

How to Apply

Veterans may apply using VA Form 28-1900 online, by mail, in person at VA offices, or with assistance from an accredited Veteran Service Officer.

For more information or assistance applying, contact the Houghton County Veteran Service Office at 906-482-0102, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

04/20/2026

We already have many registrations but are still searching for Veteran Service Providers, Veteran Owned Businesses, Veteran Friendly Employers, and Volunteers for this year's VETFEST on June 17th, 2026 from 11am to 2pm!!! PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT for Veterans attending the event, who do NOT need to register to attend. This is only for Providers, Businesses, Employers, and Volunteers.

Registration for Volunteers is at: https://forms.office.com/g/UJ2zD1rrEw

Registration for Veteran Owned Businesses and Veteran Friendly Employers is at: https://forms.office.com/g/xhtbeVBE9h

Registration for Service Providers is at: https://forms.office.com/g/DnUxctrQvJ