The Vietnam Veterans of America's local chapter is offering a few new programs for families of veterans in case of emergencies.

The chapter is providing a planning guide to help with the planning and decision making of the funeral and burial services. The guide includes simple steps to prepare for the end of life event, a list of important documents needed when arranging the funeral and information on burial benefits.

The Vietnam Veterans of America will also honor the deceased veteran at the services upon the request of the family.

The second item the group is offering is available for anyone to pick up and is small enough to keep in a wallet.

It is a Personal Health Passport that includes a place to keep insurance or other important cards, emergency contact, personal information about medications and other information that could be useful in the event of an emergency.

"This is just the right thing for us to do," said Wayne Watkins, chapter president. "It takes the guess work out when we're going to the doctor."

The planning guide is available at Bearden Funeral Home. The passport can be picked up locally at Anderson Family Medicine and the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the programs available to local Vietnam Veterans, contact Wayne Watkins at (706) 429-5002.