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Veterans can look to the VA when searching for buddies
Looking for an old buddy from your last military duty station? Well, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Georgia Department of Veterans Service can help in locating a veteran. But, by law, both federal and state agencies are limited because of the existing Privacy Act.
"The VA will try to forward a letter to a veteran," Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler commented. "However, it is up to the veteran to contact the sender of the letter if the veteran so desires."
The proper procedure is to write a letter to the veteran and place it in an unsealed envelope, bearing the veteran's name, with sufficient postage to cover mailing costs. A cover letter to the VA should be included, giving as much information as possible about the veteran, such as his full name, date of birth, last known address, service serial number, VA claim number if known, social security number, last military address, rank and date of discharge.
The request packet should be mailed to VA Regional Office, Atlanta, Ga., Attn: Privacy Act Office, Post Office Box 10021, Decatur, Ga. 30331- 7021.
If the address is located, the VA will put it on the envelope and forward the letter to the veteran. Should no information be available or the letter is returned to the VA; the witer's original letter, but not the envelope, will be sent back to the requestor by the VA.
"Letters will not be forwarded to aid in the collection of debts of for the purpose of canvassing, harassing or propaganda," Commissioner Wheeler pointed out. "Nor will a letter be forwarded if the contents might be harmful fo the physical or mental health of the intended recipient."
Anyone desiring to locate a veteran whose address is unknown may get assistance in following these procedures by contacting any office of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. The nearest field office location is in the local phone book in the state government section under Department of Veterans Service.
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