Dear Editor:

We want to thank Sammy Willard, Cherokee County Veterans Affairs Officer, and his staff, Kathy Love and Michelle Tucker, for the outstanding job they do helping veterans and their families.

We also want to thank the Cherokee County Legislative Delegation for establishing the procedure by which the Cherokee County veterans are allowed to recommend the Veterans Affairs Officer. We do not know of any other county that allows the veterans to have this input. Thank you Sen. Peeler and Reps. Littlejohn, Phillips and Moss.

We have found that the Cherokee County Veterans Affairs staff works hard to assist the veterans in their need for assistance in working with the various programs. In many cases, it takes months and multiple communications to receive the benefits promised to the veterans by the people of the United States. In all cases, we are familiar with Mr. Willard and his staff's assistance and encouragement with respect to his or her unresolved request for service. It has also been noted by these veterans that all non-emergency requests take months to resolve due to the heavy load on the resources of the Veterans Administration. During this time the Veterans Affairs Office staff monitors the process and keeps the veterans informed as to the request status.

We are very blessed to have Sammy Willard and his staff work on our behalf. We also want to thank the Cherokee County Council as well as Ben Clary, interim county administrator, for the support and funding they provide. We also thank Congressman Spratt and his staff for their dedication to the veterans by helping fund the Veterans Administration so that the promises made to our armed forces personnel and their families over the years will be provided.

We'd also like to thank the local Veterans Council, Clarence Hammett, Chairman of the Cherokee County Veterans Council and Commander VFW Post 4941, James Smith, Adjutant Cherokee County Veterans Council and Adjutant American Legion Post 109, Gary Martin, Commander American Legion Post 109, Tom Reid, Commander American Legion Post 201, Raymond Martin, Commander Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 54, Frank Sossamon, Commandant Marine Corp League, Roy Jefferies, Commander VFW Post 3447, Joe Watkins, Commander VFW Post 10431 and Doug Mills, Marine Corp League Jag Officer. Sincerely, Robert C. Moorhead Danny R. Griggs Gaffney, SC