Service Officer’s Corner 

Help for veterans and their families 

Guy C. Parlett Post 7 helps veterans, surviving spouses, dependents, and caregivers find reliable information about benefits and services. Whether you are beginning a VA claim, looking for military records, or unsure whom to contact, the Post Service Officer can help you identify a next step. 

Contact the Post Service Officer 

Rick Purcell, Post Service Officer 
Guy C. Parlett American Legion Post 7 
1905 Crownsville Road 
Annapolis, MD 21401 

Phone: 240-484-4191 
Email: rlpurcell70@gmail.com 

Please call or email to arrange a private conversation. You do not need to know which benefit applies before contacting us. 

Protect your information: Please do not send Social Security numbers, medical records, VA claim numbers, or banking information by ordinary email. We can discuss a safer way to share documents if needed. 

Need help right now? 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat with the Veterans Crisis Line. Confidential support is available 24 hours a day. You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care. 

For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911. 

What can the Post Service Officer help with? 

We can help you find information and connect with the right people for: 

• VA disability compensation, pension, and decision reviews  

• VA health care and Vet Center services  

• Survivor and dependent benefits  

• DD Form 214 and other military records  

• Burial and memorial benefits  

• Maryland veterans’ programs and community resources  

The Post Service Officer can provide information, help you organize questions, and make referrals. For help preparing or presenting a VA benefits claim or requesting a decision review, we can connect you with a VA-accredited representative. Learn how to find and appoint an accredited representative. 

Prepare for a conversation 

If you have them, bring a copy of your DD Form 214, relevant VA letters or rating decisions, and a short list of your questions. If a VA letter lists a deadline, bring that letter. You can still contact us if you do not have these documents. 

VA resources 

• VA.gov — Information about VA benefits, health care, and services.  

• General VA questions: 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).  

• VA Health and Benefits app — Access VA health and benefits features on a phone.  

• Manage your health care with My HealtheVet — Information about appointments, prescriptions, medical records, and secure messages.  

• VA Welcome Kit — A downloadable overview of VA benefits and services.  

• Request military service records — Request a DD Form 214 or other available records from the National Archives.  

• VetResources newsletter — VA news and benefits information.  

• VA outreach events — Find VA benefits events and outreach opportunities.  

• VA electronic health record modernization — Information about VA’s transition to a new health record system.  

Local assistance 

Annapolis Vet Center 

The Annapolis Vet Center offers confidential counseling and support for eligible veterans, service members, and family members. 

100 Annapolis Street 
Annapolis, MD 21401 
24-hour Vet Center call center: 877-927-8387 

Baltimore VA Regional Benefit Office 

The Baltimore VA Regional Benefit Office assists with VA benefits. Check its website for current visiting and appointment instructions. 

31 Hopkins Plaza 
Baltimore, MD 21201 
VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000 

Maryland Veterans Programs 

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families provides information about state benefits, services, and programs for veterans and military families. 

Veterans Services Offices at the MVA 

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) has co-located Veterans Services Offices inside several MDOT MVA branches across the state—including a nearby location at the Annapolis MVA Branch (160 Harry S. Truman Pkwy) and the main office in Glen Burnie. 

Available Services 

• Benefits Navigation: Accredited service officers help veterans, active-duty service members, and their families apply for and access federal, state, and local veterans benefits.  

• Paperwork Assistance: Support with filing claims and documentation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  

Contact and Locations 

• Annapolis MVA Branch: 160 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401 (Note: There are no veteran benefits specialists at the 16 Francis Street Annapolis administrative office).  

• Other MVA Locations with Offices: Glen Burnie, Gaithersburg, Bel Air, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Salisbury, Elkton, and Frederick. 

• Toll-Free Service Program: Call 800-446-4926 (ext. 6450) or 410-260-3838 to confirm hours or schedule an appointment before visiting.  

PSO Updates 

Appointments with the Post Service Officer 
Post 7 veterans and family members can contact Rick Purcell at 240-484-4191 or rlpurcell70@gmail.com to arrange a private conversation about veterans’ resources and referrals. 

Page last reviewed:  10/15/2026