Atlanta plans new office for 16,000 veterans

The state of Georgia has the fifth largest active duty population in the country. That's according to an Atlanta City Councilman who wants to start an Office of Veteran Affairs in the city. Councilman Jason Dozier believes the city of Atlanta should be leading the way when it comes to services and resources for veterans, and he wants to make sure that happens. Fox 5's Angelique Proctor joins us from Atlanta City Hall to tell us what the Councilman has planned. Angelique? Well, good evening to you both. Veterans say some of their colleagues who put their lives on the line don't feel appreciated when they come back home. But one Atlanta City Council member wants to change that. Requesting that the office of the mayor establish an office of Veterans and Military Affairs. We have 16,000 military veterans who live in the city of Atlanta proper and many more who are across the region. Veteran and Atlanta City Councilman Jason Dozier says he wants the city of Atlanta to lead the nation when it comes to veteran services. That is why he has introduced a resolution creating a city office of Veterans and Military Affairs. The city of Atlanta is obviously the largest city in the state of Georgia. Georgia has the fifth largest active duty military population in the country. And as the city that is the main economic driver for this region all over the southeast, I think the city needs to do a better job of coordinating resources and services for our veteran citizens and our veteran employees. Councilman Dozier says the city's Veterans Commission was set up in 2013, but has gone dormant. It hasn't met in five years because we don't have anybody to staff those meetings or to herd those cats. Tomorrow we'll be celebrating Veterans Day. Dozier's resolution gives Mayor Andre Dickens' staff a full year to find funding and set up shop. Veterans like Frank Clay Jr. from Villa Rica say the needs for veterans are still quite substantial. I ran into a number of veterans who told me their story in tears, and it's kind of sad that at this age, they're still recounting having to deal with the trauma, the regrets, the things that they have to go through as veterans. Now, Councilman Dozier's resolution passed unanimously this afternoon and now will go before full council. From City Hall, Angelique Proctor, Fox 5 News. All right, Angelique, thanks.