Missouri Veterans Commission News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2010

Missouri Women Veterans Coordinator Karen Etzler Appointed to Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans



JEFFERSON CITY – Karen Etzler, Women Veterans Coordinator for the Missouri Veterans Commission has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
Established in 1983, the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans assess the needs of women Veterans, review VA programs focusing on women Veterans, and make recommendations to the Secretary to improve, modify, and change initiatives and programs designed for women Veterans through administrative and legislative actions.
Etzler served in the U.S. Air Force as a pneudraulic aircraft mechanic and personal affairs counselor, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. She has been a full time Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for the Missouri Veterans Commission since 1999. In 2005, she was appointed as Women Veterans Coordinator as part of her duties as a VSO. In 2008, she was appointed to the Women Veterans Coordinator as a full time position.           
"Many Woman Veterans in Missouri are unaware that they are Veterans and that they are eligible for VA benefits," said Missouri Veterans Commission Executive Director Larry D. Kay. "Ms. Etzler's knowledge and experience make her an ideal choice for this committee.  She will champion Women Veterans issues on both the state and federal level.”
To contact Karen Etzler for women Veterans issues, call 816-387-2841, email at Karen.etzler@mvc.dps.mo.gov or go to www.mvc.dps.mo.gov for more information.
The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program.  The Commission is committed to honoring and serving Missouri's Veterans whose dedication and sacrifices have preserved our nation and its freedoms.  For more information about the Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call 573-751-3779 or access the Missouri Veterans Commission webpage at www.mvc.dps.mo.gov. 
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For more information, call 573-522-1421 or e-mail Daniel.Bell@mvc.dps.mo.gov