As we honor those who have served our nation, Washington County officials are reminding veterans and their families to locate the DD214 – the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty – issued by the U.S. Department of Defense when a service member separates, retires or is discharged.

Why the DD214 matters

The DD214 contains critical details about a veteran’s service and is required for a range of benefits. It is needed when arranging a military funeral, applying for veterans’ medical care, seeking assistance for long‑term care, or obtaining discounts at participating stores and restaurants. Without it, families may face delays in receiving burial flags, cemetery honors, certified death certificates and survivor benefits.

Personal reminder from a local family

Larry Maggi, a retired Pennsylvania State Police trooper, former Washington County sheriff and current county commissioner, shared a personal story. When his father, Carl Maggi, died in 2014, the family could not locate his DD214. The search consumed countless hours and phone calls until the Washington County Veterans Office helped retrieve the document, allowing a proper military funeral.

How to obtain a copy

If the original DD214 is missing, veterans have several options:

• County Recorder of Deeds: Veterans were often advised to file a copy with their local recorder’s office. Contact the recorder in Washington, Allegheny, Greene or Fayette counties for assistance.
• Veterans service organizations: Groups such as the VFW or American Legion may hold copies on file for members.
• National Archives: The National Personnel Records Center maintains federal records. Requests can be made by mail, fax or online at archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. Note that a 1973 fire destroyed 16‑18 million records, primarily Army and Air Force files, so reconstruction may be necessary.

Take action now

Veterans and families are encouraged to locate the DD214 well before a need arises. Keep a copy in a safe place, provide a duplicate to your funeral director, and file another copy with your county’s Recorder of Deeds. Early preparation prevents added stress during a time of grief.

Helpful contacts

For Washington County, call 724‑228‑6806. Allegheny County’s recorder can be reached at 412‑350‑4299, Greene County at 724‑852‑5369, and Fayette County at 724‑430‑1238. Additional information is available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at va.gov/records/get-military-service-records.

Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.