Local VA director goes all out caring for veterans

When Gwen Johnston puts her two feet on the floor each morning to get out of bed, she has full faith in the tools she and her work partners have to be able to positively effect Adair County’s more than 600 veterans.

She was named veteran service officer and administrator of Adair County Veterans Affairs, which has its office on the west side of the Greenfield square, in 2023.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a day set aside across the nation to thank those who are living and served their country for their dedication and sacrifice. Veterans Day programs are planned for all three of Nodaway Valley’s school buildings that day, with local veterans encouraged to attend and participate.

Local offices like Adair County’s exist to help veterans navigate the greater Veterans Affairs system. This can link them with the care and aid they deserve and ultimately need.

The local VA office is open 24 hours weekly. On any given day she’s at the office, Johnston helps veterans with a myriad of items. One day last week was a good example of this.

The office had both walk-ins and appointments. Appointments are encouraged for those needing help with a specific, time-consuming task, but they’re not required. Staff aim to treat all veterans with kindness, compassion and a smile, believing kindness has the power on its own to help someone.

Not long after Johnston got the door unlocked, the lights turned on and the coffee started, a veteran called because he was stranded on the interstate. They’re not from here, but they’ll be here for awhile, and they were in need of essential items like pots and pants. Johnston found some for the person by using social media.

“I just try and use my resources,” Johnston said with a smile.

A woman called not long later asking about a pension due her from her deceased husband.

Another called asking about the Honor Flight program that takes veterans on trips to Washington D.C.

In the midst of the phone ringing, a veteran walked in asking about a piece of mail they received. They wondered if it was really official business they should worry about.

While these accounts are somewhat fictitious for privacy reasons, they’re all examples of a typical day, all before noon, in the local VA office.

Much of Johnston’s work that isn’t related to answering questions revolves around filing claims for veterans. A lot of times these are related to a medical condition they have, and some of these are conditions they picked up because of their military service. Johnston’s goal each year is for $250K to be paid out annually in benefits toward the county’s veterans.

“I’ve had success getting grant money,” Johnston said, adding that much of her job is vouching for veterans in their own unique situations. Sometimes this involves a great deal of research and persistence to learn about whatever it is they’re going through.

“A no is never a no,” she added, when it comes to finding and receiving benefits for veterans. It may just take a few attempts before they receive them.

“That money is spent here. That’s how I say it to the board of supervisors,” Johnston said. “This office is an asset to the county. Those people are buying groceries here.”

Denna Mitchell is on staff as a part-time office assistant, thanks to funds from a state grant program.

Together, the office staff does much more than the aforementioned. They help mark and record veterans’ graves, verify records for veterans’ license plates and other official paperwork.

The office hosts a 1 p.m. Coffee with Comrades program the second Wednesday of each month. It has been a booming success and gives veterans a chance to spend time with one another.

A yearly veterans resource fair, activities at the county fair and a mobile medical unit for veterans are just a few of the other community outreach initiatives that recur.

Because of the dedication of faithful volunteers, the local VA office offers rides for veterans to essential VA medical appointments.

The organization’s board of commissioners, that meets monthly, consists of John Schildberg, Lee Ashmore and Steve Jorgensen. Johnston said this group is essential in developing a yearly budget and providing guidance to regular operations.

While she wears many hats on the job, Johnston explained her job comes down to just a few things:

“Nobody’s asking too much, really, with this job,” she said. “Be kind and people will be kind to you. It’s not rocket science.”

Johnston spent 24 years as a cook at Nodaway Valley Elementary School before leaving that position to be a family caregiver. Her father served during World War II and Korea.

“I love this job. It was an absolute God thing. It came at a time in my life that was perfect,” Johnston said. “I love doing the resource fair, to see those veterans sitting around the table talking with each other. So often we don’t recognize how many veterans we have [and we need to be there for them.].”