Act No. 1945-173, approved on June 23, 1945, created the State of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA),
to function under a State Board of Veterans Affairs. Operation of the Department began officially on October 1, 1945,
as provided in the Act. (Ala. Code §§ 31-5-1, et seq. (1975))
The State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA) currently consists of the Governor, as Chairman, and representatives
from veterans’ organizations in Alabama, namely: The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American
Veterans, AMVETS, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc., Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart,
Military Officers Association of America, and the Marine Corps League.
Personnel of the Department consist of a State Service Commissioner; Assistant State Service Commissioners as the State
Board deems necessary; County Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) who provide service to residents of all 67 counties of
Alabama; Claims Representatives; and administrative employees.
The ADVA, acting through the State Service Commissioner, is the designated agency of the State of Alabama to represent
the State and its veterans before the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) or any other agency dealing with
the interest of veterans.
It is the duty and purpose of the ADVA to fully develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide veterans’ assistance
program; to assist the veteran and his/her dependents in all of their problems and to inform them of their rights and
entitlements under current law. It is the duty of the Commissioner to cooperate with all other departments of the
State of Alabama in coordinating plans and programs of state agencies which affect veterans and their dependents.
The ADVA through its Commissioner, provides a central point of contact between federal agencies dealing with the problems
of veterans.
It is the duty of the State Service Commissioner, Assistant State Service Commissioners and County VSOs to inform members
of the Armed Forces, veterans and their dependents of all federal, state and local laws enacted for their benefit. To aid
all residents of the State of Alabama who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, their relatives, beneficiaries
and dependents to receive from the United States and the State of Alabama any and all compensation, pension, hospitalization,
insurance, educational, employment pay and gratuity, loan guarantee or any other aid or benefit to which they may be entitled
under current laws or laws to be enacted. Veterans in Alabama have the advantage of being in the position to personally
contact and receive service from the VSO near the veterans’ home.
There is no charge to any individual for any service performed by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
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