For the first time since its inception, a regionwide veterans health fair and education event will be held in Chattanooga.
Nearly 80 groups will be at the Chattanooga National Guard Armory on Saturday for the fourth annual Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Healthcare and Benefits Fair.
Tonia Hardyway, program manager for returning veterans of current wars, said previous fairs have been held in Nashville and at Fort Campbell, Ky.
Chattanooga was chosen this year because they had seen a lot of Army National Guardsmen from the area traveling to Kentucky for care, she said.
"We target returning combat veterans, but we don't turn anyone away," Ms. Hardyway said.
The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System includes health care providers in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.
The outreach is one of the strategic goals of U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to share resources and educate rural veterans who often lack access to military bases and other active-duty networks.
Chris Cole, veterans employee representative with the Tennessee Career Center, said he will participate in the fair. At these events he helps veterans understand the local employment scene and job market, he said.
Wendy Carlston, manager of Fisher House - a nonprofit residence for families of military members receiving medical care - will travel from Fort Campbell to let local veterans know about the house.
The house, which operates on donations, allows families to stay in a home environment on-base, next door to the hospital, while their relative receives care.
Since the fort is one of the closest Army installations to Chattanooga that offers medical care, soldiers, especially Army National Guardsmen, are sent there, she said.
Veterans Affairs representatives will be on hand to explain the new G.I. Bill and how applications for the benefit work, Ms. Hardyway said.