Virtual veterans symposium highlights benefits in Ottawa County

A virtual symposium for Ottawa County’s veterans will help connect the men and women who served with businesses looking to serve them.

The Honor Rewards Veteran Expo is a free virtual community event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 5.

Throughout the day, a series of videos will be posted to the Honor Rewards Expo Facebook page and webpage from local businesses and veteran service organizations discussing the importance of the veteran community and offering insight to services and discounts.

The day will also see the launch of the newly launched website to better help connect veterans with those businesses.

Veterans' discounts

Ottawa County launched the Honors Rewards Program for veterans several years ago. The program began several years ago. Business partners are as diverse as big box stores, car dealerships, real estate agents, and pet grooming.

Veterans can register with the county to receive a free Honor Rewards Program ID card that will garner them benefits from almost 300 participating businesses in Ottawa County.

“It acts as a discount card for almost 300 businesses in Ottawa County who have partnered with the county,” Ottawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck says.

Two veterans service officers work with vets to help them navigate the program and other benefits available to them.

The symposium is created by the Ottawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds office. However, it is entirely paid for with sponsors, not tax dollars, Roebuck says.

Panel discussion

The online event will also include a panel discussion with veterans service organizations such as the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs, Folds of Honor Foundation, which offers scholarships to children of deceased war heroes; and Grand Valley State University’s student veterans program.

For details and a complete schedule of events, visit miottawa.org/veteranexpo or call 616-994-4531.

The videos will remain available on the Ottawa County Honor Rewards Program website.