Porter County Veterans Service Office

Porter County Veterans Service Office Assisting veterans and their family members in applying and receiving all federal, state, and local Please like, follow and share with other military veterans.

Our mission is to assist veterans and their eligible family member to apply and receive all rightful veterans’ state and federal entitlements, and provide veterans information or other assistance as required.

08/14/2024

James H., a US Army veteran, generously contributed $300 to the Porter County Veterans Service Office donation fund on August 14th, 2024. His donation is deeply appreciated.

Last year, all funds in the Porter County Veterans Office donation fund were directed to the Dunes Young Marines program through the Marine Corps League, Dunes Leathernecks.

The Dunes Young Marines program is committed to instilling core values such as discipline, leadership, and teamwork in our youth. These values, encapsulated in the pillars of respect, responsibility, and citizenship, empower young individuals to become responsible citizens and future leaders. Through structured programs and community service initiatives, the Dunes Young Marines not only shape the character of its members but also actively contribute to the well-being of the community.

Donations like this invest in the future by aiding in the development of responsible, respectful, and disciplined individuals. These contributions will directly support their programs, ensuring that the Dunes Young Marines and similar organizations remain beacons of positive influence in our community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to James for his support of the Porter County Veterans Service Office donation fund.

If you'd like to contribute to the donation fund, checks made out to "Porter County Veterans Service Office" will be warmly welcomed at 155 Indiana Ave, #103, Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Thank you for your support.

Edwin See
Director
Porter County Veterans Service Office
155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 103
Valparaiso, IN 46383

(219) 465-3499
(219) 465-3345 FAX
[email protected]

08/14/2024
Great News, Pizza Lovers! We’ve just received our very first check from the Papa John's fundraiser, and drumroll, please...
08/08/2024

Great News, Pizza Lovers!

We’ve just received our very first check from the Papa John's fundraiser, and drumroll, please... it's a whopping $135.50!

Every three months or so, Papa John's corporate will be sending us a check, and this is just the beginning. A huge thank you to all of you for sacrificing your waistlines and indulging in delicious pizza to support the Porter County Veterans Service Office.

Remember, this tasty fundraiser is running for two whole years! Just make sure to place your orders online for the Valparaiso or Crown Point locations. You'll score a 25% discount on your entire order, and we'll receive 10% of the proceeds. It's a win-win! Order online @ papajohns.com, use promo code PCVS25.

You can use the special code as many times as you want, so spread the word like melted cheese on a hot pizza! Because, let’s be honest, pizza is perfect for any occasion.

So, let's keep the pizza orders rolling! We’ll worry about diets in two years—until then, it’s pizza for a purpose! 😄

VETERAN SPOTLIGHT: JOE SCIDAThe son of a United States Navy man, Joe Scida grew up all over the country in varying citie...
08/06/2024

VETERAN SPOTLIGHT: JOE SCIDA

The son of a United States Navy man, Joe Scida grew up all over the country in varying cities and states based on his dad, John’s, station. With most of his upbringing in Hawaii, Scida graduated from high school in upstate New York. In September of 1981 on his 19th birthday, Scida enlisted in the Navy.

“I wanted to join the Navy, but they weren’t taking anybody for about nine months,” Scida said. “I got up and said ‘Okay, I’ll go talk to the Air Force recruiter,’ and I only made it to the hallway before the Navy guy realized I was serious and told me that I could go in in November.”

Scida spent 25 years in the Navy as an electrician, maintaining the equipment on the ship and responding to emergency situations of the ship’s equipment. Four of those years overlapped with his dad’s tenure before his retirement.

“I could sleep through any noises, lights and alarms on the ship, but if we lost power, the sounds of the fans coming down would wake me up every single time,” Scida said.

Scida enjoyed being at sea. After spending two or three years on a ship, he would request another ship when the time was up to avoid having to do a rotation on shore. Scida met his wife, Cherrise, in 1999 while both were on active duty aboard the USS Monongahela. They married in 2001.

“The military was a unique experience that not everybody got to share,” Scida said. “I got a taste of it as a child when my father would take me to his various duty stations, whether it was on shore or on a ship.”

In 2006, Scida retired from the Navy in Bremerton, Washington. That same year, he took a job with ArcelorMittal and moved his wife and kids to Valparaiso, where they have been ever since.

After growing weary of the physical environment of a steel mill, Scida applied to be an engineer at the Crown Point Veterans Administration (VA). Five years into that role, he applied for the administration officer position which he held for seven years until December of 2021.

“It was a big change financially and literally leaving ArcelorMittal, but I felt like helping fellow veterans was a lot more important,” Scida said.

Retirement from the VA didn’t last long however. Two months after his last official day, he began volunteering twice a week to drive veterans to various appointments and meetings they needed to attend. Since then, he has taken a job as a part time Veteran Service Officer in Portage.

“Cherisse is a full time employee of the Crown Point VA, but she is also in charge of the volunteers,” Scida said. “Now twice a week, I report directly to her.”

Scida has spent a large majority of his life performing sacrifice and service, first to his country and now to his fellow veterans.

“It’s always nice when you can help somebody. When people come to me with their thanks and appreciation for the help I gave them or their family, it’s more than enough. That makes it all worth a lot,” Scida said.

While not a Region native, Scida thinks Valparaiso is an awesome place to live. He appreciates all the different restaurants, shopping and pieces of history. Although his active lifestyle doesn’t leave much time for hobbies, Scida enjoys playing a round of golf, entertaining his cats, spending time with his two kids and traveling.

“The Navy was the best time of my life,” Scida said.

https://valpo.life/article/veteran-spotlight-joe-scida/

The Marine Corps League, Dunes Leathernecks, Detachment  #1056, graciously donated this plaque to adorn the wall of the ...
07/08/2024

The Marine Corps League, Dunes Leathernecks, Detachment #1056, graciously donated this plaque to adorn the wall of the main office in the Porter County Veterans Service Office in Valparaiso. This generous donation showcases, in chronological order, all the Porter County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) who served for over a year in this office since 1956.

The impact that these Porter County Veteran Service Officers have on veterans' lives and the community is often unknown to most people. When a veteran is granted a disability rating and receives a monthly payment, this money is largely spent in our community, helping to bolster the local economy. According to the 2023 National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures (GDX) Report, this office in Porter County generated $54,303,000 in Compensation and Benefits payments, as well as $31,754,000 in medical billables. These are Federal Government (VA) expenditures only and do not reflect Indiana State or Porter County expenditures.

Terry C., a US Army veteran that served in the Vietnam War, donated $500 dollars to the Porter County Veterans Service office today. This money will be deposited to the Veterans Service Office donation fund. Thank you for your donation Terry!

Mohamad D, a US Army veteran, generously contributed $500 to the Porter County Veterans Service Office donation fund on ...
06/10/2024

Mohamad D, a US Army veteran, generously contributed $500 to the Porter County Veterans Service Office donation fund on June 6th, 2024. His donation is deeply appreciated.

Last year, all funds in the Porter County Veterans Office donation fund were directed to the Dunes Young Marines program through the Marine Corps League, Dunes Leathernecks.

The Dunes Young Marines program is committed to instilling core values such as discipline, leadership, and teamwork in our youth. These values, encapsulated in the pillars of respect, responsibility, and citizenship, empower young individuals to become responsible citizens and future leaders. Through structured programs and community service initiatives, the Dunes Young Marines not only shape the character of its members but also actively contribute to the well-being of the community.

Donations like this invest in the future by aiding in the development of responsible, respectful, and disciplined individuals. These contributions will directly support their programs, ensuring that the Dunes Young Marines and similar organizations remain beacons of positive influence in our community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mohamad for his support of the Porter County Veterans Service Office donation fund.

If you'd like to contribute to the donation fund, checks made out to "Porter County Veterans Service Office" will be warmly welcomed at 155 Indiana Ave, #103, Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Thank you for your support.

06/06/2024
Let’s all eat some pizza and support a good cause.  If you use the code “PCVS25” when ordering at the Valparaiso or Crow...
06/06/2024

Let’s all eat some pizza and support a good cause. If you use the code “PCVS25” when ordering at the Valparaiso or Crown Point Papa John’s, your entire order will be 25% off! In addition to getting your belly full at a discount, 10% of the proceeds will go to the Porter County Veterans Service Office donation fund! This code is good for 2 years and can be used as many times as you desire, so I hope you love pizza!

Are you a veteran who does not have dental insurance coverage and reside in Lake, Porter and Laporte Counties? The North...
03/13/2023

Are you a veteran who does not have dental insurance coverage and reside in Lake, Porter and Laporte Counties? The Northwest Indiana Dental Society and Indiana University Northwest are offering FREE basic dental screening on Saturday, April 22nd. At this one day event, they will do a dental screening, including exams and x-rays. You will then be referred to a local dentist who will perform the necessary general dental procedures at NO COST. YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 15th! You can register by calling (219) 334-7552. You will also need to bring your discharge papers (DD214) and Driver's License.

12/22/2022

All Porter County Government Offices & Courts Will Be Closed As Of Noon Today, December 22nd because of the forecasted blizzard conditions. FYI...County government offices will also be closed on Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 for Christmas.

Edwin See, the new director of the Veterans Affairs office, understands firsthand how important it is for veterans to re...
11/17/2022

Edwin See, the new director of the Veterans Affairs office, understands firsthand how important it is for veterans to receive their benefits. As a retired police officer and a veteran himself, See is passionate about his work and is dedicated to his mission of encouraging veterans to come and receive their benefits.

“When a veteran gets benefits from disability or from a pension, their chances of becoming homeless go down to almost nothing. It allows them to take care of themselves. They’re able to pay for rent, food, and clothing,” said See.

The Porter County government is made up of many wonderful departments, but one of the county’s best-kept secrets is the Veterans Affairs Office, a group of hard-working individuals striving to make...

Address

155 Indiana Street Rm 103
Valparaiso, IN

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12194653587

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