Batchelder helps spouses and families of deceased veterans

BY ANGELA CUTRER STAR CORRESPONDENT

David Batchelder likes his job so much, he’s done it twice. After leaving the first time, he realized he missed helping others, especially spouses and families of deceased veterans. All total, he has 12-13 years experience now.

It might sound like a sad job, but it’s actually the opposite. During a family’s darkest hour, Batchelder can find the light again when it comes to veteran benefits.

David Batchelder serves as the Carter County Veterans Services officer. In this capacity, Batchelder helps 30 to 40 families a week, though in-office visits and phone calls. Batchelder receives a report at the end of each year, and for 2022, Carter County helped 4,100 veterans and their families. “A lot of what I do is assist surviving families,” he said.

Batchelder retired after 20 years with the Army as an E-8 first sergeant. He was an Army brat himself, so joining up wasn’t a foreign idea to him. His father raised his family in this area and Batchelder himself thinks of Elizabethton as his home.

Batchelder said the best thing about his job is the help he can find for veterans’ spouses and families. “This office has