Veterans Assistance Commission of Washington County

02/04/2026

Veterans, check this out!

Veterans, before filing taxes, understand your benefits. VA disability compensation and pension payments, health care, and education assistance are tax-exempt. Verify your specific benefits and consult a trusted tax advisor to ensure accurate reporting. Protect your financial future.

Stay informed and be aware tax support and resources are available by visiting news.va.gov/138085/tax-season-guidance-for-veterans/. To learn about the types of scams targeting Veterans’ benefits, visit Fraud Prevention at https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/fraud-prevention.asp.

Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find out more and report to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov or by calling (833) 38V-SAFE.

01/25/2026

Due to the cold and drifting roads, the VACWC will not be in the office tomorrow, January 26th. The phones are still operating and sent to my cell phone, so call if you need assistance.

12/30/2025

Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) Increase Alert! VA Compensation & Pension recipients (yes DIC recipients too!) will see a 2.8% increase in their next deposit. See the new compensation rate tables here:
VA Comp: https://www.va.gov/disa.../compensation-rates/veteran-rates/
DIC: https://www.va.gov/.../dependency.../survivor-rates/

12/19/2025

Attention Washington County!

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Washington County is seeking local history and Veteran information connected to a remarkable World War II story at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hoyleton.

The story, as it has been passed down, tells of a balcony once located on the south wall of the church. After a considerable number of the congregation left to serve in WWII—each returning safely home—the congregation removed the original balcony, constructed a new one on the east side, and installed a new top-of-the-line organ as an act of thanksgiving and praise for their safe return.

We are asking for help collecting details about this history.
Specifically, we are hoping to learn more about:

• The number of those who served in WWII from Trinity
• Names of the Veterans
• Any records, letters, programs, or church documents
• Photographs of the original balcony or organ
• Stories shared by families or long-time members

The VACWC hopes to share this incredible local history with our community and honor the Veterans connected to it through an article.

If you have information—no matter how small—please message us here, email at [email protected], or call 618-327-4800 ex178 at the VACWC office.

Help us preserve and honor this powerful chapter in Hoyleton’s history. If you have a similar story that needs to be told, let us know! We would love to get it out there!

12/16/2025

Want to hunt or fish, but have no where to go?

I have personally been on some upland game hunts through this group. The people are absolutely top-notch, the hunts are amazing, and the camaraderie is awesome. Check them out.

The Fallen Outdoors is proud to serve Illinois veterans by providing opportunities to connect, heal, and build camaraderie through hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures.

Each year, Team Illinois hosts over 140 trips, giving an average of 450–475 veterans the chance to experience the outdoors, find community, and create lasting memories.

From deer and turkey hunts to fishing trips and special events, every outing is designed to give back to those who have given so much for our country.

Learn more about how The Fallen Outdoors supports veterans and get involved today:

Building Bonds, Creating Memories, Changing Lives.

12/16/2025

🇺🇸 Veteran Spotlight #1 🇺🇸

Please join us in honoring Andrew S. Pierjok of Richview, a World War II Veteran whose service, leadership, and dedication exemplify the very best of our community. This is the account of his amazing story as told by a family member.

Andrew Stanley Pierjok was born February 23, 1916, in Ashley, Illinois. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during World War II.

Andrew trained artillery crews at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, and later served as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. After marrying his longtime sweetheart, Minnie Kroeger, in 1942, he joined the 363rd Special Forces Engineers Battalion and was promoted to First Sergeant.

The 363rd operated across Europe and the Middle East, completing missions critical to Allied success—including dredging ports, building airfields, hospitals, and providing clean water for troops. One of their most remarkable missions included constructing special platforms so President Franklin D. Roosevelt could address troops in the field.

After nearly five and a half years of service, Andrew returned home, eventually farming near Richview using the GI Bill. He and Minnie raised two sons, Gary and Roger.

A devoted husband, father, farmer, and Soldier, Andrew S. Pierjok exemplified the values of the Greatest Generation. He passed away in 1986 and rests beside Minnie in Radom, Illinois.

🇺🇸 We honor and remember his service. 🇺🇸

12/13/2025

This is the official unofficial stance of the office….sorry Navy vets. We still love you but today’s the day. Who are you cheering for?!?!

12/04/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Washington County Veterans! 🇺🇸

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Washington County is launching Honor Roll – Local Veterans, a new program spotlighting the stories of the heroes who call our county home.
Know a Veteran whose story deserves to be shared?
Your parent, spouse, sibling, neighbor, or friend — we want to honor them!

👉 How It Works
1️⃣ Fill out our short submission form
2️⃣ Tell us about the Veteran
3️⃣ Send it in — we handle the rest!

Their story will be featured in local news and on social media.

📄 Get a Submission Form:
• On our page (non-fillable, hand written form)
• On our website: www.washingtonco.illinois.gov/veterans-assistance-commission/ (fillable pdf)
• Call (618) 327-4800 ext. 178
• Email [email protected]

Help us highlight the courage and sacrifice of our Veterans.

🇺🇸 Submit a Veteran today! 🇺🇸

11/27/2025

We are thankful for our pets who keep up company and bring us joy! Keep them safe today too!

11/27/2025

Enjoy today with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving from the Veterans Assistance Commission of Washington County!

11/24/2025

🇺🇸 Vietnam Veterans in Washington County!

Phrase of the Day: PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS

Filing for compensation with the VA has traditionally been a challenge for many veterans. But thanks to the PACT Act, the process has improved—especially for Vietnam-era veterans.

Here is a direct explanation from VA.gov about presumptive conditions:

**“To get a VA disability rating, your disability must connect to your military service. For many health conditions, you need to prove that your service caused your condition.

But for some conditions, we automatically assume (or ‘presume’) that your service caused your condition. We call these ‘presumptive conditions.’

We consider a condition presumptive when it's established by law or regulation.

If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.”**

So what does this mean for you?
If you served in Vietnam, or within 12 nautical miles in the waters surrounding it, and you have certain medical conditions, you are automatically service-connected under these presumptive rules.

Give us a call today and we can talk about moving forward with this knowledge.

Matt Kasten, Superintendent
📞 (618) 327-4800 ext. 178
📧 [email protected]

The Washington County VAC is here to help you understand your options, file new claims, or revisit old ones under the PACT Act. You don’t have to do this alone.