Pictured from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman
Laura Koerner, Madison County Veteran Service Officer Erica Greene,
Executive Director Tom Palladino and Commissioner Chuck Wright.
Madison County Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) Erica Greene assists veterans with their VA claims, connects them with needed resources as quickly as she can, plus she builds a sense of community for veterans in her area. Being a US Army combat veteran, having served two tours in Afghanistan and a recipient of a Purple Heart, Greene understands the difficulty a veteran may encounter transitioning to civilian life.
“Their claims can last anywhere from three months to a year before they can hear anything back from the VA,” said Greene in a Madisonville Meteor article by Nicole Lessin .”So, in that time frame, if they are sick or they can’t work because of one of their conditions or illnesses, then they fall behind on their bills. We see what we can do to find resources to help them.”
And help she does. Greene expanded the services of her office to include a food pantry stocked by donations. She engages with the community including using social media to get assistance for veterans on a variety of needs. This includes transportation to VA appointments, loading electric wheelchairs, assistance with weather related issues, recovering from a house fire and securing needed items for veterans including a donated deep freezer. In referring veterans to other services – local, State or Federal – Greene provides a warm handoff.
Additionally, Greene has worked to strengthen area veterans’ sense of community by starting a daily Veteran Coffee Time at the local Wallker Cafe, plus, hosting a monthly veterans breakfast with the local American Legion. She quickly builds a rapport with fellow veterans from all eras. Further, she highlights veterans to the whole community with a Veteran of the Week feature in the local paper.
All this plus more actions to improve the quality of life for veterans, her drive and understanding of needs earned Greene a TVC Excellence Award.
In working with veterans on their claims, Greene knows the joys of wins, heartache of seeing veterans who die during the process and the challenge of getting timely awards for suicidal veterans. She gave examples of this in the feature article on her by Nicole Lessin, published in the Madisonville Meteor
Greene started as Madison County VCSO in January 2023. In addition to accomplishing all, she still makes time for her family. She is married and mother of three daughters and a stepson.
Greene is ““Always seeking ways to improve the quality of lives of our veterans,” said Madison County Judge Clark Osborne in the award nomination for Greene. “She is highly motivated and truly dedicated to veterans. Flexible and resourceful, she welcomes a challenge.”
“I am so blessed for the opportunity to serve our veterans and heroes on a daily basis,” said Greene. “It is a truly humbling experience that I will be forever grateful for.”
Congratulations Erica!
