Congressman Doug Collins, left, talks with veterans at Wednesday’s veterans benefit fair.

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Just days after lawmakers in Washington D.C. ended an ill-advised Democrat shutdown of the federal government, U.S. Representative Doug Collins (R-Ga.) took the time to host dozens of Georgia veterans at the Ninth Congressional District benefits fair on the campus of the University of North Georgia Wednesday.

The event gave veterans who attended an opportunity to meet caseworkers from a number of state and national service providers and to ask questions about what benefits are available to them and how best to access those services.

There were representatives from Atlanta Regional Veterans Affairs, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Georgia National Cemetery, Georgia Department of Veterans Services, Emory Healthcare Vets Program and Hire Heroes, USA.

“We hold these events all over the district,” Collins said. “Some of you have come because you have open cases. Some of you came to ask questions. I don’t care what experience you have had in the past, these folks are here with an honest heart to serve you.”

Collins said he was happy so many veterans had taken the initiative to attend but added, “My heart beats for those who are not in this room. I hear about them often because they couldn’t get a benefit or didn’t know about a benefit. All I ask is that if you know of folks who are veterans who have an issue or who should be here that you take a card (from his office staffers) and get it to them and say, ‘Call them. There is a congressman who cares about your issues.’”

As some veterans visited the service providers, Collins could be seen greeting others and taking time to answer their questions.

To contact Congressman Collins Gainesville office, call 770-297-3388.