The Missouri Veterans Commission will soon start a series of 21 town hall meetings to hear about the needs of Missouri’s veterans.

The state veterans commission wants these to be two-way meetings. Executive Director Larry Kay wants veterans to talk about their needs. But he also wants them to know about benefits many of them are not claiming but should be getting.

The first Veterans Listening POST: will be on the 14th, in Mexico. The last one will be October 28th in St. Charles.

Kay says the state needs to be able to respond to the differing needs of differing generations of veterans, including those coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan and the intense experiences they have had. He says some troops are going out on multiple missions, day after day, a schedule that takes a physical and psychological toll on them.

Kay’s message to veterans encourages them to take advantage of the state veterans cemetery program, be aware of the state’s seven veterans homes where skilled nursing care is available, and to know their veterans services officers who can help them sign up for benefits.

Listening Posts schedule:

September 14–Raytown

Sept. 16–Kirksville

\Sept. 17–Hannibal

Sept. 21–Warrensburg

Sept. 23–Maryville

Sept 24–Chillicothe

Sept. 28–St. Robert

Sept. 30–St. Joseph

Oct. 1–Mexico

Oct. 5–Columbia

Oct. 7–Sikeston

Oct. 8–Cape Girardeau

Oct. 12–Ste. Genevieve

Oct. 13–DeSoto

Oct. 14–St. Louis

Oct. 20–West Plains

Oct. 21–Branson

Oct. 22–Springfield

Oct. 26–Camp Clark, Nevada

Oct. 27–Joplin

Oct. 28–St. Charles

Upload BP’s interview with Larry Kay (7:30 mp3)