After 28 years as service officer for the Aberdeen Post 224 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Maurice Fox, 82, has resigned. As service officer he provided information and support to active duty servicemen, veterans, and their family members.

Fox was a retired Army first sergeant when he came back to Cosmopolis and joined the Aberdeen Post of the VFW. He served many years as quartermaster, surgeon, and chaplain as well as service officer for the post. He was also a member of the Grays Harbor County Veterans Advisory Board that administers the Veterans Relief Act funds for many years.

His replacement is Jim Daly, USMC Retired, past commander of the post, past senior vice commander of District 5, and publicity chairman and newsletter editor for the VFW Department of Washington.

Daly has set up regular office hours Thursday each week from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and then back in the office from 5-7 p.m. until May 24 when the regular hours will be 1-7 p.m. Appointments outside these hours may be set up by phone at (360) 533-9863 (please leave a message) or by e-mail at: 224serviceofficer@gmail.com.

Some of the assistance, services, and information provided to veterans and family members by a VFW Service Officer include: applying for Veterans Administration (VA) health benefits, requesting a copy of DD Form 214 (Discharge Document), requesting a copy of military service records, answering questions about or applying for disability, caregiver support, burial, education, employment, and health benefits. Questions are encouraged.

Daly was also elected the Post Chaplin, so illness and death of members should be reported to him for visit requests, benefit questions, records updates, and to provide memorial details to the Post membership.