DSO: Minnesota welcomes American Legion’s deputy director of claims and benefits

By Ray Kane
From left are National American Legion Deputy Director of Claims and Benefits Philip Du, American Legion Service Representative Judith Ojard, Team Lead Beverly Moes and Veterans Service Representative Steven Pelletier. Need claims help? Find The American Legion National Claims Office in the Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling. Its phone number is 612-970-5660.

On Monday, Jan. 13, we had the privilege of hosting American Legion Deputy Director of Claims and Benefits Philip Du at our VBA Regional Office and American Legion National Claims Office, located in the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling.

This visit was a significant opportunity to connect with high-level leaders committed to improving services and support for veterans.

The day included a series of productive discussions with key figures in debt management outreach and veteran services. These conversations centered on fostering stronger collaboration to better meet the needs of Minnesota’s veteran community. Among those in attendance were:

  • Kim Graves, director of the VBA Regional Office (RO).
  • Charles Martin, manager of the Veterans Service Center.
  • James Frank, assistant manager for the Pension Management Center.
  • Dawn Eggers, director of veterans operations for the Debt Management Center.

Representing the American Legion at the regional level, our dedicated National Claims Office team included:

  • Judith Ojard, veterans service representative.
  • Steven Pelletier, veterans service representative
  • Beverly Moes, team lead

And for the American Legion Department of Minnesota:

  • Me, your department service officer.
Ray Kane

During this visit, the Minnesota team also had the opportunity to meet with the deputy director to discuss goals and address shared concerns. These discussions explored ways to strengthen coordination between the state and national teams, ultimately ensuring better service delivery for veterans.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the potential opportunities that could emerge at our upcoming Department Convention. While specific details are still being finalized, the convention promises to provide a valuable platform for innovation and further collaboration to support veterans.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Deputy Director Du for visiting Minnesota and taking the time to witness the incredible work being done here. This visit underscores the strong partnership between The American Legion and all levels of the VA, highlighting the shared commitment to making a positive difference for those who have served our nation.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to build on this momentum to enhance veteran support across Minnesota and beyond.

Ray Kane is the service officer for the Department of Minnesota and offices at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. He is a member of Hastings Post 47.