Venango County’s new Veterans Affairs director has been on the job for a few weeks.
Harry Whittemore, of Oil City, is an Army veteran who was instrumental in starting the Fairweather Lodge for veterans in Seneca, county commissioner Mike Dulaney said.
The lodge provides a place for veterans with mental heath conditions to live and recover.
Breene also said he is happy that Karen Hall, the clerk in the Veterans Affairs office and a veteran service officer, is sticking around to provide some continuity.
“Both of them are obviously motivated by a desire to take care of our veterans,” Breene said.
Whittemore also has “got a few ideas with new programs for veterans,” according to Breene.
Breene said the amount of money disbursed in veterans benefits in Venango County is much higher than other counties, a testimony to the hard work of the Veterans Affairs office.
The certifications generally take between six months and a year to get, and Whittemore is on track to get his certifications in six months, Dulaney said.
Venango County has one of the largest veteran populations in the state, Breene said.
“It just goes to show you in Venango County we are supportive of our military,” Dulaney added.
