Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. While the majority of a service officer’s work involves application for VA disability benefits, these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other important topics.
The District has several Basic and Accredited Service Officers that can assist you. Your first step in receiving assistance would be to contact your local American Legion Post and speak with the Post Service Officer. If you need the assistance of an Accredited American Legion Service Officer, the Post Service Officer will assist you in contacting the right person for assistance.
The District works to provide as much training to Veteran Service Officers as possible. The Department of Virginia offers Basic Service Officer Training online. In addition American Legion National provides training semi-annually in Washington, D.C. and in Indianapolis, IA. For information on Veteran Service Officer training, contact your District Service Officer, Scott Morse Post 2001, 703-347-5888.
Post Service Officers also help in other ways. One common request for assistance is obtaining an expedited DD 214 for a deceased Veteran’s funeral. The following forms can be used to request an expedited separation document for a deceased veteran where the family cannot find the DD 214 or the separation document from WWII for the Veterans funeral. In addition to what is here you will also need to provide proof of death (death certificate or obituary) and the date of funeral if veteran separated from service after 1955.
Burial or Medical Request Instructions (PDF)
Burial or Medical Request Instructions (Word)
Burial or Medical Fax Cover (PDF)
Burial or Medical Fax Cover (Word)