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The Delaware County Veterans Service Agency, like other county
veterans service agencies in the State of New York, was established
under Executive Law 357 in 1945.
An agency with responsibility for administrating and
coordinating a broad spectrum of federal, state, local and private
veterans benefits and services affecting veterans and their
families in Delaware County.
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History
Veterans service on the local level began before 1887 when care of veterans
and their families was administered by the G.A.R. As early as 1887, New York
State law provided for the care of veterans under Town Law. Gradually, this
service was extended under Town and County Law to provide for burial and
financial relief of veterans and to establish a County Service Officer. The
latter dates from about 1900 and remains a part of New York Law under Article 22
of the County Law.
In 1941 the New York State Conference on Veterans Social Work began a study
of veterans’ needs both in service and public assistance. After several years
of conferences, a commission was employed to coordinate the studies and make
recommendations to executive law which made mandatory a county veterans service
agency and director in every county of the state, not wholly within a city and
provided for city agencies as well.
Article 17, Section 357 of the New York State Executive Law enacted in 1945,
requires the establishment and maintenance of a County Veterans Service Agency
and the appointment of a Director of such agency in a county not wholly within a
city. Such an agency has a duty to carry out broad policies established by the
governing body. It’s personnel are locally appointed under the principle of
Home Rule. In many counties the Director has the responsibility to carry out
provisions of Section 148 of the General Municipal Law pertaining to burial of,
and headstones for indigent veterans and members of their families. Agencies
also have law mandated duty to inform members of the armed forces, veterans and
members of their families in regard to matters pertaining to education,
retraining, medical and other rehabilitative services and facilities; provisions
of federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining thereto affording
rights and privileges to such persons; employment and re-employment services,
and other matters which may apply to them.
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