Photo ID program for Westmoreland veterans unveiled

Aug. 23—A new photo identification card program for veterans was unveiled this month, part of a renewed effort to entice former military members to officially register their discharge documents with Westmoreland County.

Matt Zamosky, director of the county's Veteran Affairs Office, on Monday urged the county's nearly 30,000 former military members to file their official discharge papers with the Recorder of Deeds.

"It's strongly recommended people do that. These documents seem to be evasive when they are really needed," Zamosky said.

Discharge documents, such as DD214 and NGB22, are filed for free with the Recorder of Deeds. They remain sealed. Copies can only be released to the veteran or family members and can be accessed through both the Recorder of Deeds or Veteran Affairs offices, Zamosky said.

Since 2000, more than 6,300 veterans filed discharge documents with the county, said Lyndsay Wengrzyn, chief deputy to Recorder of Deeds Frank Schiefer.

The recorder's office this month implemented a new program to provide free photo identification cards to veterans who file discharge records with the county. County officials requested local businesses offer discounts and other benefits to veterans and will list those who participate in the program on the county's website.

The photo card identification program cost $7,000 and is paid for from fees generated through the filing of deeds, mortgages and other property records, Wengrzyn said.

"This is a great way to not only honor our veterans, but also to support our small businesses in the county," Wengrzyn said.

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich at 724-830-6293, rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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