Kalamazoo County program offers savings for veterans

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo County veterans can now get extra savings from area businesses thanks to a new rewards program launched by the Office of County Clerk and Register of Deeds this week.

The Veteran Honor Rewards program is a nationwide initiative that's now being introduced in Kalamazoo County. The program aims to encourage veterans to file their DD-214 military discharge papers with the county clerk's office.

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In exchange for filing these papers, veterans can get a free Honor Rewards Card, which gives them discounts at many local businesses. Dozens of Kalamazoo-area businesses — including restaurants like Buddy's Pizza in Portage, attractions like the Air Zoo, stores like Ted's Appliances and more — are taking part in the program, according to the county's website.

Officials say having military discharge papers on file can help veterans access benefits, health care and other services. Other means of accessing or requesting a copy of discharge paperwork can take a long time, the Kalamazoo County Veterans Service Office says.

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"If you have your DD-214 stored locally with the clerk's office, it will be nearly instantaneous for us to have access to it," explained Veterans Service Office Supervisor Lauren King. "If we have to request it through other means, that can just delay the timeline for veterans obtaining their benefits, whether they're federal, state or local."

To learn more about the program, you can visit Kalamazoo County's website .