Alcona County Veterans Affairs Office Heading to Lincoln

More veteran assistance is coming to Lincoln Village in Alcona County.

Land has been donated for a new veteran affairs office for the area. “We’ve worked hard the last few years to get something going, a better office space, privacy for our veterans that come in,” said Tony Atkinson, service officer for Alcona County Veterans Affairs.

A spot of land has been selected for a new building that will better serve veterans of Alcona County. Over the past few years, the office has changed location, which hasn’t made it easy on those looking for assistance. “It’s been really hard for the veterans to go to a place to get help for either financial compensation or pensions that the V.A. offers for their benefits if they can’t find us and we’re always moving,” said Atkinson.

The new spot located in Lincoln will serve as a permanent headquarters for those veterans. “I think it’s going to be a great addition for the village,” said Patrick Smylie, Alcona County Committee Chairman. “I think it’ll be good for our veterans. We’re going to be more centrally located for them and they can come in and do shopping, do things, and we’re looking forward to it.”

“The veterans that live on the west side of the county, this will put a facility a little bit closer to them so it won’t be quite so far away,”  said Sheila Rae Phillips, Lincoln Village Council president. “So, it’ll save on some travel time.”

Being located right in the Village of Lincoln will create less stops for veterans as they get the services they deserve. Originally, the Alcona County Veterans Affairs office planned to purchase the land. Instead, it was donated by the downtown development authority.