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<br />WHEREAS, it is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the contributions made <br />by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has <br />shaped us as a people; and <br />WHEREAS, "Sustain America -Vision, Economics, and Preservation" is the theme for National <br />Preservation Month 2006, cosponsored by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, the <br />Orange County Historic Preservation Commission, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and the <br />National Trust for Historic Preservation: and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County has demonstrated its commitment to historic preservation by using <br />the restored Alexander Dickson House as the Hillsborough visitor center, providing economic <br />development in a way that makes local history engaging the public; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims <br />May 2006 as National Preservation Month <br />and calls upon the people of Orange County to join their fellow citizens across the <br />United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance. <br />This, the sixteenth day of May, 2006. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />7. Special Presentations <br />a. Update on Veteran Services Program <br />The Board received a presentation an the services provided through the Veteran's <br />Services Program at the Department of Social Services. <br />Chair Jacobs said that Lais Harvin-Ravin will be making this presentation. He said that <br />services to veterans are being cut and he thought it would be nice to know what is being done <br />for veterans in Orange County. <br />Lois Harvin-Raven provided an update. She thanked Chair Jacobs for stopping to ask <br />what the Board can da to better serve veterans. She has been with the County far 19 years and <br />a Veteran Services Officer for 8 years. She is a Vietnam veteran and she also served in the <br />Army from 1973-1983. She said that she provides a quality service for veterans and she hopes <br />that people know that Orange County provides a veteran service program and has done so <br />since the 1940's in seeking both state and federal benefits. Orange County provides two <br />locations -one in Hillsborough at 118 Churton Street {919-245-2890} and one in Chapel Hill at <br />the Orange County Skills Development Center on Tuesdays at 503 W. Franklin Street (919-969- <br />3032 ext. 259). Her hours are 11:00-7:00 on Tuesdays in Chapel Hill because of the premium <br />parking issue there. She said that this office comes under the directorship of the Department of <br />Social Services in Orange County and all claims generated out of her office must be sent via the <br />N.C. Department of Administration Division of Veterans Affairs as regulated by general statute. <br />She said that her job is to assist veterans, their spouses, ex-spouses, widows, and dependents <br />in seeking compensation for reinstatement and obtaining benefits for compensation, pension, <br />medical, educational, burial, insurance, and other benefits. <br />She actively counsels veterans and advises them of their rights and entitlement under <br />both state and federal law. She also provides assistance in filling out forms, etc. Once benefits <br />are awarded or not awarded, she is responsible far making sure these are correct and she is an <br />advocate and arranges for admission for eligible veterans to the Department of Veterans' Affairs <br />