Present Duties
The Veterans' Building in Salem houses the central offices of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. (Oregon State Archives Photo)
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) was founded in 1945 to, in the words of then-Governor Earl Snell, “provide every possible service and assistance to our returning veterans.” Today, the ODVA’s mission is to help ensure over 330,000 veterans spanning four generations and five major eras of warfare have access to the best care, resources and opportunities that the nation’s veteran benefit system can offer. Through its offices in Salem and Portland, ODVA funds, trains and certifies national, statewide and county Veteran Service Offices that provide free benefits counseling and claims services to veterans, survivors and dependents. In recent years, its Veterans Services Division has been increasingly focused on serving minority groups within the diverse veterans population, including women, tribal, incarcerated and LGBTQ veterans. Other key initiatives include the agency’s conservatorship program, the ORVET Home Loan Program and the Oregon Veterans’ Homes in Lebanon and The Dalles.
Information about this agency's divisions, offices, programs, etc.
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 700 Summer St. NE, Salem 97301-1285
Telephone: 503-373-2000; Toll-free: 1-800-828-8801; TTY: 503-373-2217
Fax: 503-373-2362
Contact: Kelly Fitzpatrick, Director
Legal and Legislative Information
Statutory Authority: ORS
406.020
Records, Publications and General Information
State Archives Holdings from This Agency
The following are selected abbreviated listings from the holdings of the Oregon State Archives. Additional records may be available. These records may be viewed free of charge at the State Archives Building in Salem. Copies are available for a fee.
Take the Web tour for more information about visiting or ordering copies from the Oregon State Archives.
Title: Discharge Index
Dates: 1942-1945
Cubic Ft.: 22
Title: World War 1, "Doughboy" - video tape
Dates: 1991
Cubic Ft.: .1