LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Because so many veterans do not have a quick or easy way to show proof that they are U.S. military veterans, the Lake County Board of Supervisors has authorized the Lake County Veterans Service Office to begin issuing veteran photo identification cards.

The Veterans Service Office will follow Veterans Affairs guidelines to verify that the individual has served in the U.S. military and was discharged under honorable conditions or for medical reasons.

The veteran identification card can be useful to verify veterans' status for participating stores, restaurants and businesses offering discounts or promotions to veterans.

The Veterans Service Office has started to create a list of local and national businesses that offer discounts to veterans; local businesses that want to be added to the list should contact the local agency.

Applying for the veterans card also will give the Veterans Service Office the opportunity to inform veterans about their entitlement to federal, state and local benefits and to assist them in applying for those benefits.

Veterans who wish to obtain a veteran ID card will first need to obtain an application which can be found and printed from the Veterans Service Office Web site, http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/VeteransServices.htm , or by calling the Veterans Service Office at 707-263-2384.

After completing the application contact the Lake County Veterans Service Office to make an appointment for either a Tuesday or Thursday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lakeport office only.

Veterans will need to bring to the appointment a legible, original, copy of their DD214/military discharge or a copy of any VA rating decision where the veteran has been rated with a service connected disability.

If either of these documents are not available, contact the Veterans Service Office and they can assist you in obtaining your DD214 or VA Rating Decision.

Veterans also will need to show at the time of the appointment a driver’s license or other form of legal identification.