Commentary: Serving those who served: Why civil legal aid matters

Veterans have been in the spotlight as Americans across the country have celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday. And rightly so — the rights and freedoms that we enjoy are secured by the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. But while veterans took an oath to defend our rights, their own rights sometimes go undefended in our legal system when they face critical civil legal issues such as eviction, consumer matters and access to earned benefits. For example, an Alaska veteran who served in the Army and lived with severe disabilities could not access VA healthcare because of his discharge status. After years of unsuccessful efforts to correct this error, he sought help from Alaska Legal Services Corporation. With free legal support from an ALSC attorney, he submitted a final application before a critical deadline and was approved. As a result, he can now access the healthcare he needs, a change that has been truly lifesaving. Stories like his are not uncommon.

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