By Grace Allen

In August, Scott M. Smith was named the new veterans’ agent for North Attleboro, Plainville, and Wrentham. The 59-year-old retired U.S. Marine served for 30 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major and serving in leadership and instructor positions. Smith was stationed in numerous locations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, Guam, and Cuba. He retired from active duty in September of 2013 and was then the Marine instructor at Tollman High School in Pawtucket, R.I. until August 2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Hawaii Pacific University and is a graduate of the Keystone Leadership Course from the National Defense University.

As the new District Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Smith is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families in the tri-district. He recently agreed to answer some questions for readers of Local Town Pages. His answers have been condensed and lightly edited. What motivated you to take on this role?

My father was a WWII veteran and was in the initial landing in Okinawa on April 1, 1945--his 20th birthday. My oldest brother served in the Army, my nephew is in the Marines, and in May my son will be commissioned in the United States Navy. So when I work with veterans, I look at them as family members: my brother, my sister, my father, my son. It’s my passion and honor to help them, just like I hope someone would help my family members.

How have your military experiences influenced you?

As I progressed in the military, my role encompassed the care and well-being of enlisted Marines. I was often the most senior leader for the unit, so teaching has been a part of me for the better part of 30 years. I shared my own experiences while helping the Marines I worked with advance their careers, either in the military or if they left, using their GI benefits to go to college or technical school. And now I can use that knowledge to help veterans learn about and access benefits, which unfortunately many are unaware of. 

What would you like to accomplish as the new Veterans’ Agent?

My goal is to get information out to the veterans, their families, and the community. Some of the younger veterans from the Gulf Wars might not be aware of all the benefits they are eligible for. They might not know, for example, that their children may have access to free college tuition through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. My GI bill benefits paid for some college for two of my kids. I am working with the principals of King Philip, Bishop Feehan, and North Attleboro high schools to help get that information out. 

I’m also hoping the schools will utilize veterans in special programs leading up to Veterans Day, to maybe teach a few history classes while discussing their own experiences in the military. I’ve done this myself, at my kids’ high school, and it’s well-received.

Surviving spouses of veterans who have passed away may also be eligible for benefits. They are encouraged to contact us to find out how we can help them access those benefits.

Are there unique challenges for younger and older veterans?

The older veterans, in general, lack computer skills and have a harder time accessing their benefits, which are all available online. The younger veterans are more tech-savvy. But any veteran can come in or call us, and we can help them. Another challenge is that we can’t provide transportation for medical appointments. We’ll get requests from the older veterans, in particular, or their families, and while there are some provisions in the state’s benefits for veterans, in general it’s difficult to get those rides. 

For the younger veterans, there’s often a sense they’ve done their time and moved on. But they are unaware that there are still resources and benefits for them. Who knows if 10, 15 years down the line, they’ll need a knee replacement, or some other medical or mental health issue comes up. But they haven’t thought about the VA maybe helping them. I tell the older veterans, you’ve served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and earned those benefits, even when they say to save it for the ones who really need help. And I tell the younger veterans, the government took out a loan on you when you put your hand in the air and swore to defend the Constitution. The government can’t return you back to your 18- or 19-year-old body, but there was interest accrued on that loan and that interest is your VA benefits.

How do you plan to engage with the community?

I am trying to show up to as many events as possible. I had a table at Wrentham Day and I will run in the Wrentham Turkeywacker 5K Trail Race on Thanksgiving morning. My office has also started a monthly tri-district newsletter, available at wrentham.gov and nattleboro.com. It has contact information, helpful websites, and upcoming programs for veterans in the three towns.

I’ve also proposed to the schools, in addition to more actively involving veterans in their programs, to offer the ASVAB Career Exploration Program. The ASVAB test is similar to the ACT or SAT test, but in addition to testing math, reading, and writing, it helps students determine possible careers suggested by their skills and interests. It’s a broader test that’s used for anyone entering the military, but it’s also a helpful tool for students that have no idea what they want to do after high school. 

How can the community better support veterans and their families?

People often say “Thank you for your service” when they learn someone is a veteran, but I would ask them to take it a step further. Ask the veteran where they served and about their experiences in the military. I would also ask them to recognize the sacrifice of the veterans’ families. Often someone is deployed suddenly, and the spouse is left behind with little kids in a community far from family support. I tell people, I had it easier than my wife. I had a helmet, body armor, and a weapon. She didn’t. And the kids—every two or three years, it’s a new school, new friends, new town. That’s hard on them, too.

Do you have any final message you’d like to share with veterans and other community members?

For veterans and their families: utilize us to find out what benefits you might be eligible for. If we don’t know the answer, we will find out who does.

I would also ask your readers to remember the sacrifices made by veterans, and their families, so that all can enjoy the freedoms in this country. When you look at the American flag, a symbol of freedom recognized throughout the world, please think of the inscription on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.: “Freedom Is Not Free.”

To contact Smith, call 508-699-0100 ext. 2582. Or send an email through the contact form at www.nattleboro.com/304/Veterans-Services.

The Veterans’ Services office is located in N. Attleboro Town Hall, 43 South Washington St., N. Attleboro.