Reaching younger veterans

Rock County Veterans Service Officer Dave Haugom kiddingly told commissioners at their meeting Dec. 22 his future outreach efforts might include video games.
“To reach the younger generation, I may have to become a character in a video game or start texting,” Haugom said.
Appearing in a video game is not realistic but texting could become a future communication tool for the VSO.
Earlier this year commissioners approved the purchase of a public warning system through Nixle LLC. The system provides real-time communication through text, email, voice messaging and social media.
Currently the Rock County Sheriff’s Office uses the system to send out weather alerts and notifications of road closures due to flooding.
Haugom currently uses emails to keep in contact with veterans, but he told commissioners he wished he could use text blasts, something that could be completed on the Nixle system.
The system could possibly send messages to local veterans keeping them informed and to reach younger veterans in need of services.
Haugom explained two service gaps have developed. World War II veterans have been part of the system for decades, but it has only been recently that other veterans have stepped forward.
“A lot of Vietnam veterans have come forward now — right at retirement time — for the first time in their lives to ask about benefits,” Haugom said. “Then there is a big gap between Vietnam vets and the Iraqi and Afghanistan vets.”
There are currently 696 veterans living in Rock County, with 301 (or 43 percent) using their benefits. Of that amount almost 50 percent are veterans 65 or older.
Haugom wants to reach the other 50 percent who are eligible for benefits but have not yet signed up in Rock County or unaware they are eligible for veterans’ benefits.
“They don’t have to have served in combat to be considered a veteran,” Haugom said. “They just have had to serve on active duty.”
Connecting with young veterans continues to be a struggle for Haugom. He said he has tried hosting an event at the Palace Theatre and manning a booth at the county fair and at the brewery, the latter of which was the most successful in reaching veterans.
For young veterans coming into his office at the Rock County Courthouse, most were brought there through word of mouth, Haugom said.