Matheson-Holbrooks announces Retirement for OC VA

Janice Matheson-Holbrooks, the longtime associate in the Oconee County Veterans Affairs Office has announced her intention to retire at the end of May 2018. Ms. Matheson-Holbrooks made her plans known to VA Director Jerry Dyar earlier this week. Dyar said, “After the initial shock kinda wore off I could not even think straight. While I am going to miss what Janice means to the very effective operation of the Oconee County Veterans Affairs Office, and what she has come to mean to the large number of veterans who seek guidance on a daily basis at our office, not to mention the thousands of other veterans around the county who are aware of what she means to the cause of our veterans, that doesn’t tell the story of how much I am going to miss her. Not only for the above stated and obvious reasons but because she has become a very good friend of mine. That weighs just as heavily on me. No doubt, I and the veterans of Oconee County are going to miss her. She has surely made my business life in the VA Office a true pleasure for the past 26 years. I just can’t begin to express what she has meant to this office over the years. I’m just really going to miss her and I hope she’ll still come around as much as possible, after all, she has a whole lot invested in this VA Office operation.” In her public statement, the out-going Assistant Service Officer said, “I have had the honor and pleasure of assisting the veterans and their families of Oconee County for almost 26 years. As part of that I’ve worked alongside many of you. It’s been an honor and I have enjoyed “most” all of those many, many days. As I approach my 56th birthday (inverted, lol), I have made the very hard decision to begin a new chapter in my life…..retirement…..wow! When I write that down it’s hard to imagine I’m old enough to consider that period of my life. However, it’s fast approaching. Having said that, I want all of you to know that I will be retiring on June 1, 2018. While I look forward to retirement, I will miss being a part of the Oconee County Team and I will miss my veterans and their families tremendously! I have developed a bunch of friendships that I will forever cherish and hope will continue. Many of you are aware of the “chapters” I’ve had while employed here and as I enter into this new chapter, I ask for your prayers. Thank you so much for being a friend as well as a coworker. I will tell anybody, anytime, that Oconee County is a great place to work. I will continue to ask God’s blessings on all of you as you continue your own personal journey down the highway of life. Please Keep me in your prayers as well. God Bless!” June 1, will be Matheson-Holbrooks last day at the Oconee County Veterans Affairs Office. On behalf of 94.1 The Lake, WSNW, thank you so much for all that you have done for Oconee Country in the past 26 years.