On Wednesday, the McKean County Office of Veterans Affairs was recognized for its work at an event in Johnstown.

Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eric Weller, Pennsylvania’s deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, thanked recipients of a grant from the Veterans Trust Fund for their work to benefit nearly 900,000 veterans.

“There is such a tremendous need for veterans programs and services, and it takes a strong commitment to deliver on those needs,” said Weller. “That is why the Veterans’ Trust Fund is an important grant program. We admire the recipients and their commitment to using these monies to make every day a little bit better for Pennsylvania’s veterans and their families.”

The McKean County office was recognized for its efforts in installing an accessible walkway at the County Memorial Wall at Hamlin Lake Park in Smethport.

“Being that Veteran Community Initiatives, Inc. is a small rural veterans’ organization, we certainly know about and are most appreciative of funding received to help veterans and families from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,” said Tom Caulfield, VCI president/director. “The need for continued and additional funding is necessary to allow the DMVA and VCI to provide veterans with the assistance needed to tackle the many difficult issues facing our returning and returned service men and women.”

The grants are funded by Pennsylvanians who voluntarily made a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or photo ID and renewing a motor vehicle registration, proceeds from the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans license plates and private donations.