The Ellis County Press: Veterans’ Services opens Midlothian office Veterans’ Services opens Midlothian office ================================================================================ Editor on 11/01/2007 00:00:00 MIDLOTHIAN - Ellis County announced the opening of a new Veterans Services office in the City of Midlothian at 1150 N. Highway 67. Office hours at this location will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month, beginning Oct. 31. 'We want to be available to the veterans throughout the county,' said Veterans Services Officer James Wilhoite. 'We think this is going to be helpful to the veterans in that area.' The Veterans Services office is part of the Texas Veterans Commission and exists to assist local veterans and widows of veterans in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled as a result of their military service. Wilhoite and Assistant Veterans' Services Officer Charles Kelker participate in regular training programs through the Texas Veterans Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to provide comprehensive benefit counseling. 'Every veteran with an honorable discharge is eligible for some type of benefit,' said Wilhoite. Programs for veterans include: • VA Hospital/Medical Care • Pensions and other financial compensation programs • Orphan and Dependent Children's Program • Military Contact Program (assistance for servicemen awaiting separation because of disabilities incurred in service) • Survivor Benefits Contact Program • State Hospital Assistance and Transfer Program • Department of Corrections Inmate Assistance Program 'We're proud of the work that Mr. Wilhoite does,' said County Judge Chad Adams. 'He really has a heart for helping Ellis County's veterans and it shows.' The main Veterans Services office locations are the Historic Courthouse in downtown Waxahachie, with office hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and 116 W. Ennis Avenue in Ennis, with office hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Satellite office locations include Red Oak, open the first Wednesday of each month and Italy, open the third Wednesday of each month. The service officers can be reached by telephone at 972-825-5099 or 972-875-4531.