Director of Veteran Services

Rehoboth Flag

Contest

The Veterans office approached the Selectman back in the fall of 2025, asking the Selectman for their approval to move forward on having a contest for redesigning a new flag for our town of Rehoboth, which they approved.  All inquiries will come through the Director of Veteran Services office telephone number 508-252-4467 or you can e-mail veterans@rehobothma.gov  and put in the “suject” Rehoboth flag.  AI is encourage and all formats must be in a jpeg or pdf format.  No others will be accepted.  The deadline has been set for the 4th of July in 2027 and will be voted on in the fall 2027 Fall Special Town Meeting.

 HERO ACT  --> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hero-act

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE 2026

The Parade is on, Rain or Shine

Only Lighting will Cancel the Parade

All Rolling Stock (Vehicles) will participate in the Parade at 10:00 AM along with the Color Guard, D.R. Marching Band and any other groups

There will be little to no rain from 4 to 9 am, but as the front will be pushes through between 9 and 11 am, there will be light rain

American Legion will open at 8:00 AM

The American Legion has ove 125 Hamburgers and 150 Hotdogs to serve for FREE so please come in out of the rain and join the folks who appreciated your support. The Legion will start serving cold food at 10:30 am and hot food at 11:00 am

I would like to thank you all who participated in last year’s Rehoboth Memorial Day Parade. The “Rehoboth” Memorial Day Parade will now be conducted “annually” in the town of Rehoboth. If you haven’t participated in the past, the town of Rehoboth’s Veterans Office would love to have you in our Memorial Day Parade this May 25th 2026. Please call 508-252-4467 or e-mail Jake at veterans@rehobothma.gov

The Parade will start at 10:00 AM near the C.O.A. & American Legion on Bay State Road, travel through the village and end up at the Veterans’ Memorial Gazebo, Redway Plain or you can follow the Red White & Blue lines running along Bay State Road. This year, you’ll see 68 new 3’x 5’ American Flags on the utility poles along the entire parade route from early May through late July. The Memorial Day Ceremony will commence at around 11:30 AM followed by dedication for all our Fallen Comrades who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice and for those who have fallen since last Memorial Day with a ceremony ending at noon with the lowering and raising of the American Flag.

Please respond to the Veterans Office if you’re interested in participating in this year’s Memorial Day Parade

Thank you!

E-mail Jake at http://veterans@rehobothma.gov or call 508-252-4467 or the American Legion at 508-252-9079

VETERANS DAY Nov 11th 2026

A ceremony will be held on the 11th month, at the 11th hour at the Rehoboth Veterans Cenotaph on the corner of Route 44 and Danforth, followed by the placing of a wreath at the Rehoboth Veterans Memorial gazebo on the Redway Plain.  

 A free luncheon will be held in the afternoon at the American Legion Post 302 for our local Veterans

You must RSVP by November 1st - E-mail Jake at veterans@rehobothma.gov or call 508-252-4467 or the American Legion at 508-252-9079

Mission Statement

Veterans' Services was started as a means of maintaining the dignity of the veteran. The Commonwealth felt that veterans needing assistance should not have to depend on welfare for assistance.

All VSOs assist veterans in dealing with the federal Veterans' Administration in filing claims and appeals, applying for VA Health Care, and Death Benefits. Other federal VA benefits include education, job training, employment training and re-education, and non-service pensions.

Seventy-five percent of all benefits disbursed by the VSO are reimbursed by the Commonwealth. Flags placed on veterans’ graves at Memorial Day are also reimbursed at that rate.

Benefits under Chapter 115 are regulated by the veterans' income and assets, the standards regularly change with the cost of living. Any veteran or widow may file an application for benefits. A veteran’s DD 214 is the primary required document. If a veteran has lost or misplaced their DD 214, the VSO must assist in requesting a replacement.

Applications are also available to apply for lost medals, obtaining veterans license plates, burial expenses, GI Bill benefits, home loan certificates, etc.

Work with local Veteran Organizations, American Legion Post 302 of Rehoboth, assist with events, the Service Officer etc.

History of financial assistance for our Mass. Veterans & family

In the 18th century, towns in the Massachusetts Bay Colony provided assistance to needy veterans of the French and Indian War (1754-1763) between France and Great Britain, fought in North America. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts began providing for its veterans immediately following the Revolutionary War. At the start of the Civil War in 1861, the state legislature formalized the assistance provided to veterans by establishing M.G.L. Chapter 115 and the Department of Veterans' Services. Offices of Director of Veterans' Services, Burial Agent, and Graves Officer opened in every city and town in the Commonwealth.

State and local government leaders wanted to recognize service in the armed forces by providing certain essential benefits to men and women (both living and deceased) who had borne the burden of military duty—and to their families. Chapter 115 enables every eligible Massachusetts veteran to receive certain financial, medical, educational, employment, and other benefits earned by military service. Veterans, their dependents, and surviving spouses have been singled out to receive counsel and assistance dispensed through the 351 municipal Veterans' Services offices.

Today M.G.L. Chapter 115 requires every city and town to maintain a Department of Veterans' Services through which the municipality makes available to its residents the part-time or full-time services of either an exclusive or district Veterans' Service Officer (VSO). It is the job of the VSO to provide the veterans (living and deceased) and their dependents access to every federal, state, and local benefit and service to which they are entitled—including assisting in their funerals and honoring them on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day.

DIRECTOR

of VETERAN

SERVICES

DUTIES

•    The Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) shall take all applications for M.G.L. c. 115 veterans’ benefits and shall make initial determinations of eligibility; forward requests for authorization for reimbursement to the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS); pay benefits and prepare and submit monthly returns of veterans’ benefits paid by the Town.

•    Maintains a depository of military discharges and service records of veterans residing within the Town and assist veterans from neighboring Towns as needed, make copies and forwards copies to appropriate agencies. Except as provided by law, the VSO is obligated under M.G.L. c. 40, § 51 to safeguard and protect from unauthorized disclosure of the names of any persons residing in the Town or neighboring Towns who receive veterans benefits under M.G.L. c. 115.

•   The VSO shall prepare and submit documentation of veterans’ and eligible dependents’ burial expenses for partial reimbursement of funeral and burial or interment expenses from DVS.

•   Performs case management for each M.G.L. c. 115 recipient to ensure that all benefits are appropriately provided in compliance with eligibility and budget standards as set by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS).

•   Assists veterans in obtaining VA medical, disability and pension benefits in accordance with VA guidelines.

•   Assist veterans in obtaining military documents including discharge certificates and other service records.

•   Provide outreach services by providing referrals and assistance to veterans and their dependents regarding available benefits and services, including G.I. Bill benefits under the various G.I. Bill iterations; educational assistance; home purchases; tax exemptions; pensions; reemployment rights; civil service; burials and hospitalizations. Establishes outreach programs that incorporate efforts to work with federal, state and local governmental bodies and agencies, as well as private entities, as needed, including accessing federal veterans benefits from the VA and employment assistance through Massachusetts Career Centers and the U.S. Department of Labor’s workforce training programs.

•   Conducts public information campaigns via social media, internet websites, print media, and other options to ensure that the eligible client population is aware of current laws and opportunities. The VSO should keep current with changes in the laws which affect veterans’ benefits and services by attending professional development programs and by communicating with DVS.

•   Acts as liaison between veterans’ organizations and local officials.

•   Keep informed of all changes, additions or new interpretations of veterans’ benefits by attending educational seminars and meetings.

•   Works with the Department of Defense in cooperation with the families of lost and fallen veterans, to honor veterans lost in the line of duty and fallen veterans.

•   Facilitates and attends monthly meetings of veterans’ groups in the Town and works with that group on veteran issues.

•   Prepares and presents the annual departmental budget; prepares monthly and annual reports to include monthly activity reports.

•   Maintains the Town’s war memorials and monuments; Veterans Memorial at Redway Plain, War Memorial at Palmer River School, Cenotaph aka (3 Flags) at the corner of Danforth & US 44

•   Organizes, coordinates, directs, and participates in patriotic events in conjunction with the American Legion Post 302

•   Attends Veterans’ Agent associations; Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) along with Massachusetts Veteran Service Officer Association (MVSOA) and Southeast Massachusetts Veteran Service Officer Association (SMVSOA) meetings, seminars, and training sessions to remain current of programs, services, practices, and procedures.

•   Receive abatements on Veterans Property taxes through Clause 22 and this requires annual renewal applications after July 1st through the Tax Assessors Office.

•   Receive abatements on Veterans Property taxes through the Valor Act and this requires annual renewal applications after July 1st through the Director of Veteran Services.

•   Transportation with the town Veterans Van for medical transportation only with a 50 mile radius of Rehoboth.

•   Performs all other related duties as required.