Meet Jason Legler, the community resource specialist for veteran outreach and community support for the Idaho Division of Veterans Services.

1) How long have you been the community resource specialist for the Idaho Division of Veterans Services and what are a few of your duties?
I have been a community resource specialist for a little over three months now. As the community resource specialist in Northern Idaho for Veterans Outreach and Community Support (VOCS) of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services. I look to help veterans who fall outside of traditional benefits. With an area that covers 10 counties, I look for and encounter veterans who need assistance. In Kootenai County alone, there are just under 20,000 veterans. One strategy to meet veterans’ needs is to work with communities to establish veteran outreach centers.

2) What interested you in this line of work?
Each day is different; each veteran is unique. One may have trouble paying electric bills. Others may need to be directed to a community veteran organization like Newby-ginnings of North Idaho for help. I go to community events to meet the veterans. I talk with veterans who gather at American Legion halls, Veterans of Foreign Wars and many others. “The goal is to get to know the veteran community and their needs. I try to connect the dots."

3) What are some of the greatest needs of our local veterans that our community should be aware of and how can we help?
Continue to help support and donate to the multiple veteran nonprofits in our community. These organizations have a direct and big impact of support for our veterans and their families.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you? That I am a big ccience fiction fan. Not so much of "Star Trek," but more "Stars Wars" series and spin-off movies and shows, and the "Lord of the Rings"/"Hobbit" series of movies.

5) What does it mean to you to be able to provide our service men and women and their families with much-needed assistance, resources and hope in their times of need?

Serving the Panhandle and North Central Idaho veteran community is very special to me and an honor. Our veterans and their families sacrificed a lot to serve our nation. I know what it’s like to serve. I served our country for 30 years and now I serve our veterans and their families.