Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet-level agency within the Tennessee
state government, headed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
, who is currently Many-Bears Grinder. The Department is responsible for administering programs of veterans benefits for Tennessee's veterans, their families, and their survivors.
The Department manages state veterans cemeteries for members of the Armed Forces of the United States
who died while on active duty, and for veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces that were discharged or released before September 7, 1980. They also manage free license plates for 100% service connected disabled veterans, ex-prisoners of war, and recipients of the Medal of Honor
, the Distinguished Service Cross
, the Navy Cross
, and the Air Force Cross
. Owners of free license plates receive parking privileges, and certain veterans receive special or memorial license plates.
Other state benefits include management of state veterans homes, property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, $10 hunting and fishing licenses for 30% or more service connected disabled veterans, scholarships for eligible dependent children, exception to the motor vehicle privilege tax for 100% disabled veterans, reemployment rights of public employees, discounts in state park
s, preference for veterans in state employment, and credit for military service in state employment. By statute
, the Department of Veterans Affairs is prohibited from in any way assisting the implementation or operation of the Tennessee Tomorrow Program, which was transferred to the Tennessee Department of Education
by executive order, or any youth-in-public-service program.
According to the Tennessee Blue Book, an Ex-Serviceman's Bureau was established in 1921, but the small agency was unable to provide adequate service for the influx of veterans after World War II
. As a result, the General Assembly
created the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide statewide services in 1945. In 1959, the department was placed under the governor's office as a staff division headed by a director, but the General Assembly once again established it as a department in 1975. In 1987 the General Assembly authorized the department to establish state veterans cemeteries, and in 1988 legislation was passed that established state veterans homes under the direction of a board of directors appointed by the governor. In 1991 the department was authorized to train and accredit county-employed veterans service officers.
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
state government, headed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
The Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs is the head of Tennessee's Department of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for veterans benefits programs within the state...
, who is currently Many-Bears Grinder. The Department is responsible for administering programs of veterans benefits for Tennessee's veterans, their families, and their survivors.
The Department manages state veterans cemeteries for members of the Armed Forces of the United States
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
who died while on active duty, and for veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces that were discharged or released before September 7, 1980. They also manage free license plates for 100% service connected disabled veterans, ex-prisoners of war, and recipients of the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, and the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United States)
The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...
. Owners of free license plates receive parking privileges, and certain veterans receive special or memorial license plates.
Other state benefits include management of state veterans homes, property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, $10 hunting and fishing licenses for 30% or more service connected disabled veterans, scholarships for eligible dependent children, exception to the motor vehicle privilege tax for 100% disabled veterans, reemployment rights of public employees, discounts in state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
s, preference for veterans in state employment, and credit for military service in state employment. By statute
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
, the Department of Veterans Affairs is prohibited from in any way assisting the implementation or operation of the Tennessee Tomorrow Program, which was transferred to the Tennessee Department of Education
Tennessee Department of Education
The Tennessee Department of Education is the state education agency of Tennessee. It is headquartered on the 6th floor of the Andrew Johnson Tower in Nashville....
by executive order, or any youth-in-public-service program.
According to the Tennessee Blue Book, an Ex-Serviceman's Bureau was established in 1921, but the small agency was unable to provide adequate service for the influx of veterans after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. As a result, the General Assembly
Tennessee General Assembly
The Tennessee General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.-Constitutional structure:According to the Tennessee State Constitution of 1870, the General Assembly is a bicameral legislature and consists of a Senate of thirty-three members and a House of Representatives of...
created the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide statewide services in 1945. In 1959, the department was placed under the governor's office as a staff division headed by a director, but the General Assembly once again established it as a department in 1975. In 1987 the General Assembly authorized the department to establish state veterans cemeteries, and in 1988 legislation was passed that established state veterans homes under the direction of a board of directors appointed by the governor. In 1991 the department was authorized to train and accredit county-employed veterans service officers.