Dubois County hires new Veterans Service Officer

Nick Pagragan, a Marine and Army veteran from Santa Claus, recently took over the Dubois County Veteran Service Office.

Local veterans had been volunteering at the office since the resignation of the previous Veteran Service Officer. Commissioner Chad Blessinger praised those volunteers for keeping the office running from mid-February to last week while the county sought out a new individual to take on the role.

“They kept that office and the service to local veterans at a high level during a difficult time,” Blessinger said. “I just want to publicly say thank you.”

Flynn, who volunteered extensively at the office, emphasized the significant impact veteran services have on the local economy. He noted that VA benefits and healthcare funding flow into Dubois County, with veterans now able to receive community care locally rather than traveling outside the county for medical services.

“It does make a big difference,” Flynn said.

Commissioners are working with Pagragan to establish clear expectations and goals for the office. Blessinger distributed questions to fellow commissioners asking them to consider the office’s role, definition of success, and how it fits into broader county goals.

Blessinger asked Pagragan to work in the office for a full month before making any major staffing or space requests, ensuring decisions are based on comprehensive experience rather than limited observations.

Key areas under discussion include advocacy expectations, which situations should be escalated to commissioners’ attention, and the office’s primary focus on serving Dubois County veterans rather than residents from neighboring counties with less robust veteran services.

“We want to be helpful with veterans, but primarily we want to be helpful to Dubois County veterans because Dubois County taxpayers are paying for the office and the staffing,” Blessinger said.

The timing of Pagragan’s appointment coincides with significant changes in veteran benefits. Starting in July 2026, veteran deductions will become credits, requiring veterans to obtain documentation from the veteran service office to bring to other county offices.

“The laws did change. The veterans deductions are now credits and they’re going to have to go down there get something from the VSO to bring to us,” said County Auditor Sandy Morton. “So they will be busy over the next once that starts in July.”

The office also works closely with the Recorder’s office, which maintains DD214 forms; service records for veterans. This partnership allows veterans to access their service documentation without having to retrieve it from home or request it from the VA.

During the meeting, Flynn highlighted the broader veteran community’s growth and engagement in Dubois County. The Dubois County Veteran Council has increased its meetings from four to six per year due to expanded activities and involvement with state-level initiatives.

The council organizes several annual events, including Memorial Day ceremonies on the courthouse square, flag disposal ceremonies in June, and Veterans Day activities at schools throughout the community. Flynn noted steady increases in attendance at these events over the past four years.

“There’s kind of a renewed sense of patriotism and just belonging,” Flynn said. “And I think you see that with our Memorial Day ceremony, our flag disposal ceremony for sure, in June, and then what we do during Veterans Day at schools and throughout the community.”

The veteran service office also coordinates transportation services for veterans needing to travel to VA facilities. Maria Snider, VSO administrative assistant, maintains detailed logs of rides provided and volunteer needs, which are reported monthly to the veteran council.

Flynn explained that community care options have expanded significantly, giving veterans choices between telehealth, community care, VA clinics, VA hospitals, or mobile van services. The office hosts mobile VA evaluation services at the VFW, typically one to three days per month.

“All those are options. The problem is a lot of the older veterans don’t know how to ask for that when they’re talking to the VA,” Flynn said. “They’re just happy to get through.”

The commissioners also approved the use of the bathrooms in the courthouse and access to power for the Memorial Day services on the Square during the meeting.