Coming Oct. 9th: ID card gives veterans discounts at participating businesses

September 27, 2012

Local businesses often promote discounts to veterans as a way to entice their patronage and thank them for their military service. But for those veterans who served a short stint in the Armed Services, it has been difficult to easily show proof of their military service.

The Solano County Veterans Services Office is ending that dilemma by issuing Veteran Discount ID cards to veterans and military retirees.

"In the past, the only way veterans could prove their military service was to show their DD Form 214.  That's too precious of a document to carry around in your wallet.  The Veteran Discount ID card solves that problem," said Ted Puntillo, Solano County Veterans Services Officer.

The Veteran Discount ID cards will be available starting Tuesday, Oct. 9.  With more than 40,000 veterans in Solano County, Puntillo is preparing for a significant response.  The Veterans Service Office will be issuing Veteran Discount ID cards from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 12 at the Solano County Events Center, 601 Texas St. in Fairfield.

“This is an innovative way to connect veterans to vet friendly businesses,” Puntillo said.  “We are also hoping to introduce veterans to the many other benefits they earned by serving their country.”

Information will be available on veterans’ benefits from the Veterans Administration, State and County.  Local veteran service organizations will be on hand to provide information about their organizations.

To get a Veteran Discount ID card, honorably discharged veterans should bring a copy of their DD Form 214.

After the event, Veteran Discount ID cards will be available at the Veteran Services Office in Suite 4700 of the County Administration Center, 675 Texas St. in Fairfield.

The cost of producing the Veteran Discount ID cards is being covered by donations from community members, veteran service organizations and local merchants.

Businesses wanting to have their business listed as “Veteran Friendly” should email tepuntillo@solaonocounty.com with the name of their business, product, location and the amount of the discount.  Veterans will be provided a list of participating businesses when they receive the Veteran Discount ID card.

For more information about the program, call 784-6590.