Veterans Services and Organizations

Veterans Medical Center

5901 E. 7th St.

Long Beach, (213) 494-2611

The center provides veterans with government-sponsored medical and counseling services.

Orange County Veterans Service Office

1300 S. Grand Ave., Suite B

Santa Ana, (714) 834-2020

The office assists with Veterans Administration benefits, including application preparation, information and inquiries, appeals, discharge up-grade, Social Services verification and obtaining military documents. Open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are also two satellite offices. One, in the Huntington Beach Library, 7111 Talbert St. in Huntington Beach, is open Thursday and Friday; call (714) 536-5266 before visiting. The other, at 974 S. Melrose in Placentia, is open Monday and Tuesday; call (714) 630-7804 before visiting.

Cal-Vet

(800) 952-5626

Veterans who need assistance with Cal-Vet farm and home loans can call this toll-free number.

Veterans Employment Representatives

900 E. Pacifico, Anaheim

(714) 978-7421

The Job Services office of the state Employment Development Department offers computerized employment services free of charge to veterans. Open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vet Center

859 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim

(714) 776-0161

This federally funded program provides readjustment counseling and other support services to Vietnam-era veterans. Open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; appointment recommended.

American Combat Veterans Inc.

United Veterans Way, Inc.

2750 W. Yale, Anaheim

(714) 761-8555

These organizations raise money to assist indigent patients at the Veterans Administration hospital in Long Beach, providing food baskets and organizing recreational excursions.

American Legion

Post 131, Santa Ana, (714) 542-6517

Post 354, Buena Park, (714) 531-1179

Post 295, Cypress, (714) 995-9647

Post 142, Fullerton, (714) 871-2412

Post 72, Anaheim, (714) 635-7960

Post 132, Orange, (714) 538-6311

Post 277, Placentia, (714) 996-2190

Post 291, Newport Beach, (714) 673-5070

Post 455, Costa Mesa, (714) 548-2392

Post 555, Midway City, (714) 893-9525

Post 783, Stanton, (714) 897-0161

White Cane Post 266, Westminster,

(714) 539-7266

The American Legion, the largest veterans organization in the United States with about 2.7 million members, is a social, service and support organization that is involved in many community projects.

AMVETS Service Foundation

1213 S. Dale

Anaheim, (714) 761-5811

AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam) was founded in 1944 and has about 150,000 members nationwide. The Service Foundation raises funds to maintain service officers at Veterans Administration hospitals, including the medical center in Long Beach. Information on local AMVETS posts can be obtained by calling the Service Foundation.

Disabled American Veterans Charities

201 S. Sullivan

Santa Ana, (714) 547-0615

D.A.V. Chapter 23, Santa Ana, (714) 836-1881

D.A.V. Chapter 65, Garden Grove, (714) 539-0255

The D.A.V. provides sheltered workshop, arts & crafts activities to disabled veterans and handicapped dependents of veterans, and offers limited emergency assistance, service-connected counseling and other support services.

Paralyzed Veterans Association

(800) 423-2778

This organization, with chapters based in La Jolla and Long Beach, offers a variety of services to paralyzed veterans and works as an advocate on issues concerning paralyzed veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Anaheim Post 3173, (714) 533-3173

Brea Post 5384, (714) 529-9112

Garden Grove Post 6475, (714) 537-9910

Buena Park Post 8954, (714) 739-9008

Placentia, (714) 524-9200

Costa Mesa Post 3536, (714) 548-2392

One of the largest veterans organizations in the United States, the VFW has about 1.8 million members. In addition to social functions, the group assists needy veterans and their families and promotes patriotism and community activities. There are several chapters and auxiliary chapters in Orange County; many are listed in the telephone directory.