A senior representative from Republican Congressman Jeff Denham’s Modesto Field Office made a scheduled stop in Riverbank this past Thursday, Nov. 19.

Military and Public Safety Liaison Mike Anderson met at Riverbank’s City Council Chambers with local citizens seeking assistance. Most wanted to discuss veteran’s issues, though the mobile office hours are able to touch on a number of constituent concerns.

Those stopping by included an 88-year-old World War II veteran, Sam Paregian, from Modesto.

Paregian was most interested in obtaining a veterans identification card.

Anderson said that Congress had authorized a national vets ID card last spring, but the authorizing bill did not include funding for the program. He said he expected that to be part of the next budget cycle.

He pointed out that the state of California has made a ‘Veterans’ designation to be included on state drivers’ licenses, which began the day after Veterans Day this year.

Anderson said a veteran would have to get a form to fill out, with separation papers or equivalent, get them authorized by the County Veterans Service Officer in Modesto, then submit to DMV.

He also pointed out that some counties had authorized the issuance of an I.D. card for veterans. Although Stanislaus County has not acted on it yet, Anderson said that San Joaquin County has, and showed the card he had obtained for himself. Anderson is veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The monthly mobile office visits are intended to allow constituents to have their questions answered and to get help with specific casework.

The visits also are held in Escalon and Oakdale, locally.

Also participating in the visit this month was Emily Allen, a Field Representative with California 12th Assembly District Member and Republican Leader Kristin Olsen’s Modesto office.