The Orangeburg Chapter of Disabled American Veterans could be shut down as the result of a lack of participation from its aging members who are no longer able to attend meetings.

Brian Steffan, a retired Naval officer and commander of the Orangeburg DAV, says if that happens, it could mean local veterans won't receive valuable assistance in getting medical benefits and disability checks.

"The help is always going to be there. They'll have to work harder to get it," Steffan said.

The DAV is a national veteran advocacy organization that helps members of the military file benefit claims.

Steffan was forced to send a letter to the state DAV headquarters after several months of meetings failed to generate a quorum. The letter recommended the Orangeburg chapter be shut down. The national DAV will render the final decision.

Steffan hopes he will be allowed to continue helping local veterans, as a chapter service officer, to navigate through the maze of paperwork required to obtain benefits. He said the application for such a request is 36 pages long and making a single mistake often results in a denial.

"My purpose is to make sure no vet goes without medical care or help," he said.

The Orangeburg DAV chapter has 321 registered members, Steffan said. However, many of them are elderly or have physical conditions that prohibit them from attending meetings, he said.

State DAV Commander Charles Pettigrew said those members could attend meetings in Columbia and St. George if the Orangeburg chapter is discontinued.

Gene Johnson, a Vietnam War veteran from Bamberg, recently had knee surgery and couldn't attend meetings for three months.

"If a person can't get to meetings in his hometown, how is he going to get to Columbia once a month?" Johnson asks.

John Rivers, the Veteran Affairs officer for Orangeburg County, says the local DAV has been instrumental in getting shuttles to take veterans to the Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia.

He says shutting down the Orangeburg chapter means veterans will miss fellowship opportunities and having a strong advocate. With 7,200 veterans in the county alone, he said the assistance of the local DAV has been a great help. He said there are enough local veterans to justify keeping the chapter.

"For veterans, it will be a big loss," Rivers said.

Orangeburg DAV Treasurer Russ Cline said he's very upset about the prospect of closing the chapter. He said the DAV provides critical information to veterans.

"Because of lack of participation, we may not be able to get the word out to those that really need help," Cline said.

Steffan says many veterans and their families aren't aware of the benefits available to them and there is a great need for assistance because many veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Discontinuing the Orangeburg chapter won't jeopardize veteran benefits, he said, but it will create a major inconvenience for those trying to get them.

Since 2001, Steffan said he has volunteered to help 3,000 veterans in some form or another. He said it took him six years to get enrolled for his individual coverage. Since learning the ropes, Steffan said, he's often able to get veterans their benefits in less than three months. Veterans have even come from out-of-town for his services, he said.

"The big thing with the VA system is that a vet can't quit. They make it so hard that the vet wants to quit. It's a paperwork nightmare," Steffan said.

Johnson said he attempted several times to file a disability claim for his injured back to no avail. With the injury, Johnson was no longer able to work. Then he contacted Steffan and was finally able to get his benefits.

"Brian has helped a lot of people. He's been a godsend to the veterans in the area," Johnson said.

Steffan said veterans make great sacrifices to serve their country.

"It's important for them to be remembered for what they did and what it cost them," he said.

Closing the Orangeburg DAV Chapter will make it much harder for local veterans who have already endured hardship, Steffan said.

"I think we're going to lose a part of our aid avenue for Orangeburg veterans to be able to get assistance," he said.

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T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and others stories online at TheTandD.com.

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