Tarentum native Jessica King has found her passion helping veterans secure their future.
As a VFW-accredited service officer, King manages and trains about 35 staffers who help veterans and surviving family members navigate the Veterans Administration benefits system.
“Knowing that they’re not fighting for a paycheck anymore, that brings me relief,” King, 45, said.
“To take that stress off their plate and allow them to start being able to take care of their health, that’s how I find my happiness.”
King served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Highlands High School in 1998. She enlisted, in part, because she didn’t want her parents to be saddled with the costs for college.
Her dad was a steelworker at Allegheny Ludlum who encouraged her to get the military’s education benefits.
“I was still fit from running track at Highlands and the Marine Corps was the toughest to go through,” she said. “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life.”
King served four years and came home in 2002. She was quickly called back to serve as a truck driver in the Iraqi invasion. She came home for good on July 4, 2003.
Finding her path wasn’t easy.
“I had some health issues resulting from my time there and really had a difficult time being granted compensation benefits,” she said.
“It was a hard time while I fought that battle. I went to college, worked at Eat’n Park at the Mills and just didn’t know what I wanted to do.
“After I received help from the VFW, I started working with veterans. And this is my passion now.”
In a typical week, King and her staff visit sites across the Alle-Kiski Valley, including Harrison, Lower Burrell, New Kensington and Springdale.
The team helps veterans secure retroactive compensation and emergency financial assistance. Recently, they helped earn rent support for a veteran experiencing homelessness.
“I wanted to fight for veterans like the VFW did for me,” King said.
On the first Wednesday of each month, King works from state Rep. Jill Cooper’s office in Parnassus. She works from Cooper’s Export office the third Wednesdays. Walk-ins are accepted but people can also make appointments.
Cooper said it’s impactful to offer the specialized service for veterans, many of whom might not be aware of benefits they are entitled to.
The intimate setting is especially nice since it’s close to home, she said.
“This is a way for them to not have to go downtown (Pittsburgh) or out to Greensburg,” Cooper said. “They can talk with Jess and she relates to what they’re going through.”
King was recognized recently for her work through the VFW “Still Serving” initiative which honors veterans who continue strengthening their communities after their uniforms come off.
“It’s hard to relax when you’re a veteran. They have that work ethic and want to make sure their families are taken care of. And my job is to help them get compensation — that they deserve for their service — so they can finally take care of themselves.”
