County appoints new director of veterans’ services
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nancy Traxler is introduced during today’s Orleans County Legislature meeting. She is the new director of veterans’ services in Orleans County. John Pera, left, is commander of the American Legion in Orleans County and also the post commander in Holley.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature this afternoon voted unanimously to appoint Nancy Traxler as the director of veterans’ service for the county. She has worked the past two years as a veterans’ service officer in the county.
She takes over for Earl Schmidt, who is taking a job in Buffalo as Department Service Officer at American Legion of New York State. Schmidt led the county’s Veterans’ Service Agency since Dec. 7, 2015.
Traxler of Waterport served 27 years in the Air Force, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. She is a combat veteran and a Blue Star mother and wife.
She said she is determined to help veterans and their families receive benefits they have earned through their service.
Traxler and the office will pursue claims for veterans through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including compensation and pension, medical care, rehabilitation and vocational services, and insurance and indemnities.
Traxler said her position as veterans’ service officer will also be filled.
Once the office is at full staff, they will work to reorganize the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program, which provides social opportunities for veterans and their families.
