Veteran Discount Cards Come to Bensalem

The Bucks County Veteran’s Discount Program is coming to Bensalem.

On March 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., members of the county’s Veteran’s Office will be at the township . On March 27, they will be at the from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Veterans can fill out an application and get photographed for the discount ID card, which can be used for savings at area stores. They must bring their DD-214.

"This is a value-added service that goes with having their discharge papers recorded with the county," said Dan Fraley, director of Veterans Affairs. "This is a universal card that can be used at more stores as they start participating. We really want to attract a lot of local businesses, like restaurants and pizza shops."

Those participating in Bensalem include 's in the , CP Sunoco, , and dentist .

If you cannot make these events, the Veterans Affairs office, located on the second floor of the Bucks County Courthouse (55 E. Court St., Doylestown, PA 18901), is open weekdays from 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to process the ID cards.

A list of participating businesses as well as information for businesses interested in participating are attached to this story as PDF documents.

Businesses interested in participating in the program may also contact the Veterans/Military Affairs office at 215-345-3885.

Vietnam veteran and Bensalem resident Jack Shaltens was happy to wait with more than 50 other fellow veterans at the in Warminster in November to sign up for the brand new veterans discount program unveiled by the Bucks County Veterans Affairs department.

"We've been asking for these for a long time," said Shaltens, who served in the army from 1963-1966. "I think it's fantastic that I don't have to take my paperwork with me in order to get discounts."

Since its launch in November, 2011, the Bucks County Veterans ID Discount Card program has processed approximately 2,000 cards for county veterans. The program, which first was available only at the Recorder of Deeds office on the second floor of the Bucks County Courthouse, will be offered at four locations around the county during March. Those dates and locations include:

“We are pleased to offer our veterans and active duty heroes the opportunity to have their cards processed in other Bucks County municipalities,” stated Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Joseph J. Szafran Jr., whose staff administrates the program. “During a February event in Bristol, we processed more than 80 cards.”

Bucks County Commissioner Charles Martin says the fact that stores that participate will be featured on the county website and identified as a veteran-friendly business will drum up plenty of interest.

"There's nothing better than being recognized as veteran-friendly," said Martin, who served with the New Jersey National Guard from 1965 to 1971. "It's a win-win opportunity for the businesses and our veterans. We will promote the businesses, but we will also evaluate their discounts and make sure there are legitimate savings that are available only for the veterans."