American Legion Post 107 1st Vice/Adjutant Harold Ciancio, Sons of the American Legion member Jay Cummings, Veterans Outreach Specialist James Dickey and Readjustment Outreach Technician Marty Job proudly pose in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs mobile vet center.

Making stops throughout the United States to ensure veterans are properly taken care of, the Department of Veterans Affairs is sending out mobile vet centers.

The mission of the mobile vet center is to “provide a continuum of quality care, which adds value for veterans, families and communities.”

Originally started for Vietnam veterans, the service was soon expanded to other service members.

Recently the Birmingham Mobile Vet Center visited American Legion Post 107 in Leeds to service area veterans.

American Legion Post 107 Commander Jerry Smith and First Vice/Adjutant Harold Ciancio were honored to have the vet center at their post.

Larry Linley, Disabled AmVet of the Year 2012, was on hand too as the mobile vet center pulled into the post’s parking lot.

“The mobile vet center is a part of our outreach,” said Ciancio. “It draws attention and allows veterans to ask what it’s about.”

James Dickey, Veterans Outreach Specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Marty Job, Readjustment Outreach Technician with the Department of Veterans Affairs, were on hand to talk with area veterans.

“We’re here to counsel veterans who may be going through depression, marital issues…we want to make sure they have a successful transition and learn to come back into their roles at home,” said Dickey.

Equipping the mobile vet center with qualified representatives was at the top of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ list.

Both Dickey and Job are veterans and can speak from experience to other veterans seeking help from the mobile vet center.

“Out of the people we see, 80 percent are veterans, 60 percent are combat and 43 percent are female,” said Dickey.

Focusing on grief counseling, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and readjustment, mobile vet centers adhere to the Privacy Act of 1974 and work within strict confidentiality requirements.

Established by Congress in 1979, the Vet Center program is ready to help service members attain a successful post-war adjustment.

Member of the Sons of the American Legion Jay Cummings is eager to get Post 107 back to veterans’ devotion and was thankful to see the mobile vet center in Leeds.

The Department of Veterans Affairs for the United States of America along with Leeds’ American Legion Post 107 thanks our veterans and say, “You served proudly. Let us serve you.”

For more information on Vet Center readjustment counseling services visit www.vetcenter.va.gov.

“Like” The American Legion Post 107 on Facebook for further details.