Spartanburg County Hosts Veterans Affairs Town Hall

Event focuses on benefits and resources for aging veterans and their families

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of elderly people conversing and interacting at a community event, conveying a sense of warmth, care, and togetherness.A warm, communal gathering of aging veterans and their loved ones, finding support and connection at a local town hall event.Spartanburg Today

Spartanburg County's Veterans Affairs Office held a town hall event to provide information and resources for aging veterans and their families. Topics included VA healthcare, long-term care options, end-of-life planning, and understanding the benefits available to veterans. The event featured speakers from the county, state, and local veteran support organizations.

Why it matters

As the veteran population continues to age, it's important for them and their families to be aware of the benefits and resources available to support their needs, from healthcare to end-of-life planning. This town hall aimed to shine a light on these offerings and connect veterans with the assistance they've earned through their service.

The details

The town hall covered a range of topics relevant to aging veterans, including VA healthcare, veterans' homes and long-term care, end-of-life planning, and an overview of the benefits veterans can access. Representatives from the Spartanburg County Veterans' Affairs Office, the South Carolina Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and local veteran support organizations like Vets Helping Vets and Rollin' Disciples-Cruzin for Christ participated in the event.

  • The town hall was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Vets Helping Vets and Rollin' Disciples-Cruzin for Christ are hosting a car show on April 26, 2026 at USC Upstate to support veterans.

The players

Brent Cobb

Director of Spartanburg County Veterans' Affairs and a retired veteran himself.

John McMahon

A recruiter for Vets Helping Vets, an organization that provides community support and assistance to veterans.

Todd McCaffrey

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the state of South Carolina, responsible for helping veterans access their benefits.

Palmetto Patriots Home

A veteran-only nursing home located in Gaffney, South Carolina that serves veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Veterans and spouses can come [to the office] at any time to file for claims, or disabilities, [or] death indemnity compensation if a spouse is deceased.”

— Brent Cobb, Director of Spartanburg County Veterans' Affairs

“If somebody needs a roof on their house, we're going to put it together and help them out. Or if anybody needs any ramps because they can't get out of their house, we're going to build a ramp for them.”

— John McMahon, Recruiter for Vets Helping Vets

“The veterans nursing homes that we operate in the state provide veterans in the later years of their lives, many times the kind of long-term care they need at that stage of life.”

— Todd McCaffrey, Secretary of Veterans Affairs for South Carolina

“What I find particularly with older veterans, [is that they] have preconceptions about the VA. The reality is the VA that they experienced when they first got in the military, say in the 1970s, is a much different organization now than it was then.”

— Todd McCaffrey, Secretary of Veterans Affairs for South Carolina

What’s next

Veterans and their families are encouraged to reach out to their local county veterans affairs office or the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more about the benefits and resources available to them.

The takeaway

This town hall event highlights the ongoing efforts to support aging veterans in South Carolina, ensuring they are aware of and able to access the healthcare, long-term care, and other benefits they've earned through their service. By connecting veterans with the right information and assistance, communities can help ease the transition to the later stages of life.