Marin's Veterans Day Celebration Goes Virtual Amid Pandemic

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County's annual Veterans Day celebration will be different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year's tribute to local military veterans will be a virtual one.

Rather than participating in the annual gathering at the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael, people are encouraged to watch for tributes on the Facebook pages of the Marin County Veterans Service Office and the Marin County United Veterans Council.

"To those who served their country in uniform, you protected us, and now it is our duty and obligation to protect you," said Kari Beuerman, assistant director of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services' Social Services Division. "The fact that this year's tribute is a virtual one does not lessen or dampen the appreciation we feel or the spirit and sentiment of the day."

The Marin County Veterans Service Office has remained open throughout the pandemic. According to the county, the office is equipped to serve the more than 10,000 local military veterans who might need assistance with filling out forms, and connecting to mental health services, medical services, social services, tuition aid at local colleges, pensions, military discounts and death benefits. Most appointments are being conducted over the phone.

The office is led by Sean Stephens, a U.S. Army veteran who completed four combat tours of duty in Afghanistan. Stephens said it is important for local veterans to know about services available by phone, email and the internet through the San Rafael office. A key role this fall is directing vets to federal Veterans Administration health services for free seasonal flu and shingles shots.

"Because of the pandemic, we're assisting vets remotely as much as we can and discouraging face-to-face visits in the interest of safety," Stephens said.

"With the same motivation, the VA has beefed up its telehealth program so that many appointments can be handled over the phone or a secured videoconference. No matter what, we do not want our vets to miss out on the benefits they earned when they raised their right hand and took the oath to serve their country."

Learn more on the Veterans Service Office website. Call 415-473-6193 or email hhsvetservices@marincounty.org. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.