At the recent annual meeting hosted by South Carolina Association County Veterans Affairs Officers, Beaufort County Veterans Affairs was nominated and won two prestigious titles: John Abney was named Associate Member of the Year 2025 and Department Director Caroline Fermin was named County Veterans Affairs Director of the Year 2025.

Associate Member of the Year 2025

Nominated by Department Director Caroline Fermin, John Abney was recognized for his outstanding contributions, strong leadership, and unwavering dedication to our veterans and their families in Beaufort County. A 20-year retired Master Sergeant from the Marine Corps, John worked tirelessly to break into the Marine Corps Transition Assistance Program, and he has transformed the department's role as speakers in both the Transition Readiness Seminar (TRS) and the Spouses Transition Assistance Readiness Seminar (STARS).

His relentless efforts ensure that the 1,100 separating service members and their families receive timely and accurate information about their VA benefits, job search, and other post-service resources, helping transitioning Marines, Sailors, and their families approach civilian life with confidence and clarity.

John’s dedication to supporting and delivering quarterly Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims clinics aboard our three installations has set a new standard in veteran assistance. By providing direct assistance with VA benefits to those preparing to leave the service, these clinics have significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of claims processing, establishing a proactive standard of veteran support in our state.

County Veterans Affairs Director of the Year 2025

Director Fermin was nominated by Neal Pugliese, Col USMC (Ret), for County Veterans Affairs Director of the Year. Col. Pugliese is the Beaufort Representative for the SC Military Affairs Advisory Council, SC Department of Veterans Affairs. 

He recognized Director Fermin's efforts and contributions including: her unwavering commitment to revolutionize Beaufort County Veterans Affairs and significantly enhance its support for veterans; her implementation of processes and programs that have brought about a significant transformation; her tremendous success has been creating and sustaining several vital strategic partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels; her service as a Warrior Advocate Leader traveling to Capitol Hill twice a year to advise legislators on bills that directly impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of veterans; the immeasurable support of state legislation on issues that specifically impact on our County veteran population, such as end-of-life care, assisted living, and similar matters; holds four end-of-life Planning Seminars each quarter.  

Director Fermin is creating workshops to address emerging requirements, such as financial literacy for women veterans, rural veterans, and social worker symposiums as well as the newly created partnership with Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, a local 501(c)3, to offer “wills and powers of attorney” free of charge to our veteran population and holds quarterly clinics.

The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office assists veterans, their spouses and
other dependents with access to government programs for which they are eligible.
Veterans Affairs Counselors are available by appointment only by calling 843-255-6880.

For more information click here.

The Federal Benefits Handbook for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors is available here or by visiting www.va.gov.