MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The band is tuned, the red, white, and blue is flying, and the public is welcome to an open house hosted by the Davison County Veterans Service Office in Mitchell on Tuesday evening.

The event is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the county’s North Office Building at 1420 North Main Street. Staff will be on hand to go over recent eligibility changes for VA benefits. Veteran Service Officer Tim Storley tells Mitchell Now the open house is the first time trying something of this scope. He points out that the office is tucked in the back of the county building and isn’t the easiest spot to find. Just breaking that barrier will do wonders to further enhance engagement with veterans in the area.

Staff will talk about the PACT Act, which passed during the Biden Administration. It expands VA access to those who served in Vietnam and more recent operations, such as Afghanistan and Iraq in the War on Terror after 9/11, that were exposed to toxic chemicals. Agent Orange, burn pits, and more have been linked to elevated cancer cases for exposed to them.

Entertainment will be provided by the 147th Army Band, based out of Mitchell. The South Dakota National Guard is bringing a wrecker and Humvee for kids to tour. The Vet Center out of Sioux Falls will staff a mobile clinic to help veterans and families dealing with PTSD and other mental health problems stemming from deployment. Members of the VFW and American Legion intend to set up tables to highlight the benefits of joining their organizations. Representatives from the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will also take part.

Sorley encourages everyone to show up, even with the heat. Bottled water and hot dogs will be served. The City of Mitchell has brought bleachers, providing a place to sit in the shade, and stay cool.

The Veterans Service Office is responsible for Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, and Sanborn Counties officially, but Sorley stresses their doors are open to everyone. He says that Mitchell acts as a regional hub, bringing a wide variety of people to town for banking or grocery shopping. For vets going about their daily lives here, they will be helped no matter where they call home.