Karnes County Veterans Service Officer Blake G. Sanches’s collaboration with other agencies to established transportation for veterans and his effectiveness in providing staple services for veterans earned him a a TVC Excellence Award. Pictured above from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Sanches and TVC Executive Director Tom Palladino.
Karnes County Veterans Service Officer Blake G. Sanches assists veterans in receiving the benefits they earned as well as helping them get to where they need to go.
“The Commissioner’s Court, AACOG (Alamo Area Council of Governments), and I worked together with the Texas Department of Transportation to establish public transportation in our rural county and improve veteran transportation to and from San Antonio, facilitating VA visits,” said Sanches. “The project has been very successful and ended up winning AACOG’s Project of the Year. I am very thankful to have been a part of it.”
Sanches’s work with multiple agencies to improve service to veterans helped earn him a TVC Excellence Award.
“Blake has contributed to an extension of pick up and drop off services in his area by providing insight and opportunities for collaboration,” stated his award nomination. “This has advanced new solutions that have resulted in expanded services.”
The staple of Sanches’s service to veterans is assisting them and their family members to receive the VA benefits they have earned. This includes claims, health care, home loans and life insurance. Further, he brings state services to veterans attention and assists them with obtaining veteran designation on their Texas driver’s license and vehicle registration, plus receiving other state benefits such as property tax exemptions.
Of all the assistance Sanches provides, a recent award by the VA stands out for him “As one of the most heartwarming successes.”
“I had a widow come to my office with a very complex case. She had lost her husband at a young age due to a service connected injury but had been denied for Dependent Indemnity Compensation due to paperwork errors at the hospital and funeral home,” said Sanches.
He noted the spouse had been working for compensation for three years.
“Thanks to the guidance and encouragement I received from my mentor and friend, TVC Claims Mentor/Trainer/Liaison Frank Martinez; plus, long hours, sleepless nights, and a lot of prayer, we ended up winning the case! The widow was able to receive life-changing assistance for her and her son! I am so grateful to have been a part of the process and that she would trust me to help her with such a complex case.”
Sanches, a Marine Corps veteran and U. S. Army Retired, encourages his fellow veterans to find resources and assistance in order to receive all the benefits and services they have earned.
“Plug in with your local VSO, American Legion, VFW, or any other Veteran agency you can. Never be afraid to ask for help. Do not struggle in silence.,” said Sanches. “If you can’t find one or don’t know where to look, call me! There are so many resources out there and if I can’t help, I will find you someone who can!”
In addition to expanding services and providing direct assistance to veterans, Sanches is involved in community events. The highlight of which is the annual Karnes County Veterans Day BBQ, to be held November 7th, 2026. The event is free and open to the public.
“Food, drinks, live music, games, you name it, it is a wonderful gathering and truly is an honor to put on for our local Heros,” said Sanches. “The community partners from all over donate and we have a large amount of veteran resource vendors that attend and provide services and connections. Notably, the PTSD Foundation / Camp Hope, and the Karnes County American Legion Post 415 attended this last year and had a great impact on our veterans. So thankful for what they do and their partnership.”
All this and it’s Sanches’s second year at a Veteran Services Officer.
“Going on two years and loving every bit of it. It is an honor to serve my brothers and sisters, as well as their families, in any way I can.”
