Little known facts about Utah Veterans:

Our veterans represent a tremendous un-tapped financial resource. Utah ranks 40th in the nation in terms of VA compensation and benefits per veteran. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs under-funds Utah veterans by more than $23,000,000 compared to the national average compensation per vet. Compared to veterans in Oklahoma, Maine, Arkansas and other states, our Utah veterans are missing out on almost $129,000,000 in compensation, rehabilitation, and other earned benefits.

Allow me to stress: We are not discussing “welfare payments.” We are discussing benefits that our veterans EARNED by virtue of their service to the nation.

We have Utah County data provided by the Federal Veterans Administration. The news is not good. Utah County is ranked 24th in the state in terms of veterans compensation. Compared to the state average, the VA under-funds Utah County veterans by more than $4,300,000. Compared to veterans in Rich, Washington, and Wayne Counties, Utah County veterans are missing out on more than $17,000,000 in compensation.

How many businesses bring a $Four Million Dollar payroll into Utah County? How many tax incentives would be offered by the County Council if a company were to expand its payroll from four to $Seventeen Million Dollars?

Utah County could bring Millions of dollars to the county economy if we do no more than to assist our veterans to achieve the average Utah VA compensation.

The challenge is to reach out to the thousands of un-affiliated Provo veterans, many who otherwise avoid contact with government or traditional veterans service organizations that charge expensive dues. UtVet.com can be an ideal vehicle to reach out to these “underground” veterans and help them see themselves as a valued community resource. "No Mr Veteran. You are NOT DEFECTIVE."  We can help.

UtVet.com is not trying to re-invent the wheel.  Many veteran resources go untapped and un-noticed.  We can help direct traffic to the sources of help.  We can assist these veterans to be more involved in the communtity, serving other veterans. We can organize a veterans "neighborhood watch" that can assist law enforcement in emergencies. We can be instrumental in assisting veterans find the help they need to build strong local businesses and attain better paying jobs. UtVet.com can play a crucial role in coordinating Federal, State, and County government programs that affect the lives of countless families for the better.  We are not trying to supplant the great service organizations and the work they do.  We are simply trying to amplify their signals.

UtVet.com can be a bridge to our newest veterans who go "underground" rather than be stigmatized as having PTSD.  Sadly, it is often the most stalwart men who suffer the most difficulty "fitting in" after a couple of tours in Iraq or Afghanistan -- or just a few weeks of trying to round up members of Al Qida with live ammunition in real guns in some tropical paradise.

It is a fact that upwards of 80% of returning servicemen who suffer from PTSD will not seek help. Ultimately it is the family that pays the price of a missing father, or worse.

BYU Economics 101 teaches TANSTAAFL. There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. The veterans are not going to win these benefits without help.  Existing resources offer great aid.  But the veterans either don't know about the help, or they can't deal with the stress of dealing with an uncooperative Federal government.  We believe that the Utah County Council can do a great service for veterans; their families, and the economy, by funding a professional, certified County Veterans Service Officer. 

In Wyoming in 2005, one Certified County Veterans Service officer helped over a hundred veterans' families.  Those veterans now bring over a million dollars to Sweetwater County Wyoming's economy every year.

Ben Franklin said "A stitch in time, saves nine." We can do so much with so little, if we act now. These veterans are the men who made it possible for us to sleep, undisturbed in our beds. Without them, the Chinese would be drilling for oil off America's coast. Don't let the veterans suffer after what they have done for us. 

Call your local mayor and your County Councilman.  Tell them you support a Utah County Veterans Service officer.