TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The UT Tyler Military and Veterans Success Center, in partnership with the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission, is hosting the East Texas Back 2 School Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday.

“This is a unique opportunity for veterans to come and see the facilities here and learn about the various resources available,” said Coby Dillard, director of military and veterans affairs at UT Tyler.

The fair will provide resources that veterans may not even know they have.

“Veterans may not know what opportunities are available to them, and we hope to reach out to them and let them know what Texas has to offer,” said Troy Turner, local representative for the Texas Veteran’s Land Board.

Dillard knows what it’s like to leave the service and not know where to find the resources you need.

“When I left the Navy, there weren’t a lot of resources telling me, ‘Hey, come and do these things.’ A lot of those things I figured out on my own,” Dillard said.

Resources at the fair include resources from the Texas Veterans Commission on entitlements, employment and health care.

There is also information on the Veterans Land Board programs for land, homes, home improvements, and state veterans homes and cemeteries.

“The resources and benefits a veteran can acquire through service can be life-changing,” said Kerry Easley, chief of the Texas Veterans Commission’s claims division.

In addition, there will be local vendors, food trucks and a school supply drive for the children of local military personnel.

The Texas Veteran’s Land Board hopes that through this event, veterans and their families will know they are supported.

“People care about them, they want them to be remembered and for Texas to be there to support them,” Turner said.

The East Texas Back 2 School Veterans Resource Fair will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the UT Tyler University Center Ballroom in Building 28, 3900 University Boulevard in Tyler.

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