Mikala Peters, a Marine Corps veteran, said that three years ago she was living without running water or electricity and did not know help was available. She now serves as the Trinity County Veterans Service Officer, helping veterans receive the VA benefits they have earned and connecting them with local resources. Peters said she has made her office a resource hub for veterans and their families.
Working with the county grant office, Peters applied for TVC Fund for Veterans' Assistance grants. The office was awarded $189,000 to provide financial assistance to local veterans and their families. It also received a $100,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant to fund home modifications for veterans.
Peters said many veterans wait years before seeking VA benefits, and she encouraged them not to wait to claim benefits such as disability compensation. She recommended that veterans work with an accredited VSO because the VA process and paperwork are complex. Peters said she has helped many veterans with successful VA claims since she took the job in June 2025. She also said she helped a Vietnam veteran get a grave marker for his cousin, a veteran buried in an unmarked grave in Tennessee since 2009, and that the marker was placed within a few months.