Thomas Applebach began work April 28, 2014, as director of veterans affairs for Lehigh County.

Originally from Upper Bucks County, he graduated from high school and enlisted in the Air Force.

Applebach was asked why he chose the Air Force.

"The Air Force was cool, and they have big planes," he joked.

His military career would span 21 years.

For 12 of those years, he served as an Air Force weather forecaster, ultimately attaining the position of senior meteorologist in the contingency support cell at Air Force Global Weather Central.

The job involved providing weather support for classified missions.

Applebach has a degree in political science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as well as, an associate degree in applied weather technology.

From 1992-98, he spent time away from the military to establish a career as a civilian.

In 1998, he joined the Sellersville Armory of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and worked as a water purification specialist.

He also obtained his military instructor certification.

Applebach moved from the National Guard to the Army Reserve in 2000.

While in the Reserve, he became a lead instructor in civil affairs at Fort Dix, N.J.

From 2004-05 he was deployed to Iraq where he served as a civil affairs specialist in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Although he officially retired from the military in 2006, Applebach continues to serve.

His long and varied association with the U.S. military uniquely qualifies him for his current role. The responsibilities are complex.

"I love my job," Applebach explained. "That's motivation to learn."

The Office of Veterans Affairs helps veterans and their families obtain benefits due them for their service.

This means Applebach and his two assistants, Assistant Director Vi Hertzog and Veterans Service Officer Lynn Weimer, help qualified veterans deal with the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration and a multitude of other service agencies.

Applebach said the hardest part of his job is "getting the word out" the Veterans Affairs Office can and will assist veterans and their families complete paperwork, locate benefits and achieve results.

Services for qualified veterans include the Veterans Mentor Program, designed to help veterans who have become involved with the criminal justice system, educational grants, pension rights and burial and memorial benefits.

To connect with former service personnel, Applebach willingly provides group presentations.

In partnership with representatives from the Veterans Administration, Hope for Veterans and Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Applebach also visits homeless encampments to locate and offer assistance possibilities to homeless veterans.

Finally, Applebach is emphatic about the importance of follow-up.

Once a benefit request has been submitted, he and his staff monitor the progress of the claim to ensure positive results.

Lehigh County's Office of Veterans Affairs is located at 17 S. 7th St., Allentown.

For more information, visit lehighcounty.org, email veteransaffairs@ lehighcounty.org, call 610-782-3295 or attend the 2015 Lehigh Carbon Veterans and Families Symposium 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April 11 at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville.