Veteran Casey Rose to Launch Free Benefits Resource

A mission for veterans’ benefits

Casey Rose is launching a free digital resource to help service members understand military benefits, WPSD Local 6 reported.

The website, Veterans Benefits GPS, is scheduled to go live on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at vbgps.org. It aims to provide clear guidance on healthcare, disability, burial benefits, and assistance for surviving family members.

Rose, a service-disabled veteran, founded the site to ensure that those who served can access the resources they have earned without facing unnecessary financial hurdles or bureaucratic confusion.

The journey from Iraq to Harrisburg

The inspiration for the project stems from a 2011 deployment to Iraq. While serving as a military police team leader, the 21-year-old Rose observed children selling gasoline in two-liter bottles to support their families.

That experience resonated with his own upbringing in a single-parent household and public housing. At a Veterans Day ceremony at Southeastern Illinois College on Tuesday, Rose reflected on how those early struggles shaped his perspective.

Veterans day rose flowers and military uniform on american flag closeup

“I always thought, man, why? Why did this happen to me? Why is this where I had to start?” Rose said. “But I know now, being 36 and realizing, hey, that was my journey. It’s what I had to go through.”

After his service in the Kentucky National Guard from 2007 to 2013, Rose enrolled at Southeastern Illinois College. He eventually found a role in the college’s Veterans Affairs Office, where he helped fellow veterans manage their educational benefits.

This professional experience became the foundation for his new initiative. Rose noted that he wants veterans to be fully informed before they ever sit down with an accredited representative.

He also expressed a strong objection to the business model of companies that charge veterans fees to help them access their earned benefits. “We earn them,” Rose said. “Well, it shouldn’t be difficult to get what you’ve already earned.”

Community support for service members

To maintain its mission of providing free assistance, Veterans Benefits GPS will rely on sponsorships and contributions rather than charging users. This model seeks to remove the profit motive from the process of accessing government-mandated support.

Casey rose wilson the peoples choice awards nomination announcement

The ceremony at Southeastern Illinois College also highlighted the role of educational institutions in supporting the transition to civilian life. SIC President Karen Weiss noted that community colleges serve as vital links for veterans looking to build new careers.

The event included a wreath-laying by members of the Michael Hillegas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, including Susan Durfee and Cheri McClusky. Weiss also acknowledged the families who sustain service members through the hardships of deployment.

“We may never fully understand the experiences you have had or the sacrifices you have made, but please know that we recognize your service, we value your contributions, and we are grateful for the freedoms that you’ve helped protect,” Weiss said.

Rose ended his remarks with a direct plea to the community to maintain personal connections with those who have served. He urged the audience to call, text, or check on at least one veteran.