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Suncoast Pasco News

Pasco Getting Veterans Center

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: July 9, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Pasco County will gain a center with counseling and outreach services to help combat veterans, particularly from Iraq and Afghanistan, readjust to civilian life.

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, announced today that Pasco will be among the 39 centers the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is creating around the country.

"With the second highest number of veterans of any congressional district in the nation, there is a continuing need for increased services for my 5th District veteran population," Brown-Waite said in a press release.

The location of the Pasco center has not been picked yet, according to Charlie Keller, communications director for Brown-Waite. The plan is to open it by December 2009, Keller reports.

The center should be especially helpful to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Keller added.

The community centers offer services to combat veterans and their families, including counseling on employment, family issues and education to combat veterans and family members, as well as bereavement counseling for families of service members killed on active duty and counseling for veterans who were sexually harassed on active duty.

Go the V.A. Web site for an explanation of the no-cost veterans center services.

Some 232 community centers already exist staffed by small teams of providers, including combat veterans. Vet Center staff members are available toll free during normal business hours at 1-800-905-4675.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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