The Cuming County Veterans Service Office provides assistance with benefits and services to eligible veterans and their families.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30.
Veterans Board Members
Jack Kindschuh | (402) 650-4579
Steve Schwer | (402) 380-1547
Rich Brahmer | (402) 380-0205
Dalbert Storm | (402) 648-7940
Les Feyerherm | (402) 992-7329
Board Meetings
The Cuming County Veterans Board meets on the last Monday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in the Veterans Service Office located in Room 34 of the Cuming County Courthouse.
2023 Board Meeting Minutes
Military Discharges
Military personnel are encouraged to file their discharge paperwork with the Veterans Service Office for safekeeping and proof of service needed for VA benefits.
Copies of Military Records
Copies of military discharge records cannot be provided to anyone other than the veteran. Exceptions can be made in certain situations, ie. when the veteran is deceased or unable to make the request in person. Full name at time of enlistment and photo ID is required when requesting records. Contact the Veterans Service Office for more information.
The County Veterans Aid Fund is a temporary emergency fund to assist veterans, their spouses, and dependents when there is an unforeseen emergency and there are no other resources available.
Eligible veterans are persons who:
- served on active duty
- received an Honorable discharge
- served during one of the defined wartime eras
- have resided in Nebraska for at least one year and Cuming County for at least six months
Applicants may request assistance with food, shelter, clothing, funeral, medical, dental, and surgical items. This is an aid program so the veteran must document an inability to meet the obligation to pay these bills, via an application.
To apply contact Jason Gatzemeyer in the Veterans Service Office.
- is totally disabled by a nonservice-connected illness or accident, or
- receives compensation from the VA because of a 100% disability that was service-connected
Homestead Exemption applications must be resubmitted to the Assessor every three years. The county Veterans Service Officer provides an eligibility letter from the VA to the Assessor’s office in the year the exemption is due to expire for eligible veterans.
More information can be found at Nebraska Homestead Exemption | Property Assessment.
Military Honor license plates are available, in lieu of regular county plates, to persons who have served, or are currently serving, on active duty in the:
- United States Army
- United States Air Force
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Marine Corps
- United States National Guard
- United States Navy
- United States Army Reserve
- United States Navy Reserve
- United States Marine Corps Reserve
- United States Coast Guard Reserve
- United States Air Force Reserve
To request Military Honor license plates, the applicant must be eligible for, and enrolled in, the Nebraska Veteran’s Registry through the Nebraska Department of Veteran’s Affairs and have served (with an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge/separation), or be currently serving, on active duty in the specific branch for which a license plate is requested.
There is no limit to the number of motor vehicles or trailers owned or leased by the applicant that may be licensed with a Military Honor license plate. Separate application processes are required for each Military Honor license plate requested.
Military Honor Message Plates
Cost: $40.00 (due at the time of initial application, must be renewed annually in the same month as the vehicle registration)
These plates are of exclusive design and, as with regular Message plates, are produced with an available message of your choice of up to five characters. Available to motor vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, semitrailers and cabin trailers.
Military Honor Numeric Plates
Cost: $ 5.00 (due at the time of initial application, must be renewed annually in the same month as the vehicle registration)
These plates have the same exclusive design as on the Military Honor Message plates, but are assigned an alpha/numeric combination by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Available to motor vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, semitrailers and cabin trailers. These plates are issued in consecutive numeric order in the order in which the applications are received. Requests for specific numbers cannot be processed.
For more information visit Military Honor Plates | Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
It is the responsibility of the veteran’s family or personal representative to report the death of a veteran to the county Veterans Service Officer. The VSO then forwards death notification to the VA.
Upon the family’s request, the VSO will order a “Presidential Memorial Certificate” for the family.
State of Nebraska requires the county VSO to provide a bronze grave marker reflecting the veteran’s wartime service for the grave of each deceased veteran.
The VSO also assists the family with VA death benefits if applicable, ordering headstones/plaques for graves, and benefits for surviving spouse.
How to prepare for your burial in a VA cemetery in advance.
For assistance with completing the pre-need eligibility forms, contact Cuming County VSO, Jason Gatzemeyer.
VETERANS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Feb 2, 2022; 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Nielsen Center, 200 Anna Stalp Avenue, West Point, NE 68788
Please RSVP to 402-372-6012
ROUNDTABLE HANDOUTS:
Roundtable Registration Form to be submitted by each veteran in attendance or joining online
FEMA Covid-19 Funeral Assistance (not limited to veterans)
Fisher House (Omaha) – Helping Military and Veterans’ Families
National Park Service Access Pass Application
Nebraska Disabled Veterans State Park Permit Application
Nebraska Hunt-Fish Permit Application
Nebraska Reservist Tuition Credit
Nebraska Vets Get Pets Program
VA Aid & Attendance / Housebound Allowance
VA Approved Nursing Home Facilities
VA Understanding the Community Care Process
VA Income Levels for Surrounding Nebraska Counties
VA National and Priority Group 8 Relaxation Income Thresholds
VA Quick Reference Guide: Income and Assets for Financial Assessment
Veterans Employment Services Guide
Contact Jason Gatzemeyer at 402-372-6012 or jgatzemeyer@cumingcounty.ne.gov with questions or for assistance with any of the programs and benefits listed above.
TO START A NEW VA CLAIM:
- Print and complete VA Form 21-22
- Print and complete VA Form 21-0966
- Locate DD214 (Discharge paperwork) if you haven’t already filed a copy with your VSO or county clerk
- Make an appointment with your County VSO to submit the items listed above and discuss your claim
Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Apply for Federal VA Health Benefits Online
Apply for Federal VA Education Benefits Online
Veterans and Military Permits – Nebraska Game and Parks
Application for Disabled American Veterans License Plates
Nebraska Veterans’ Homes | Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs
VA Healthcare Guide to Benefits
VA Education and Training Benefits
VA Burial Benefits and Memorial Items
VA Benefits for Service Members
VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, and Family Caregivers
Aid and Attendance Pension
Military Honor Plates | Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles