Mike Miranda, is President of the VALOR organization and a student at Wake Forest University's School of Law. He's also an Iraq War veteran. He said the program will provide legal information or documents on a variety of topics including, housing, medical enrollment and pensions. The clinic will also cover individual rights during police encounters, wills, and power of attorney.

"This is the first year that the organization is up and running on campus. It's a great way for us to identify what the needs are in the community - and hopefully we will be able to focus on those needs more in the future," said Miranda.

According to the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, the state has the ninth highest vet population in the country, with close to 800,000 residing in the state. NC also ranks fifth in military retirees.

The idea of a free legal clinic for vets began with Wake Forest Law professor Beth Hopkins. She collaborated with her friend and chairman of the National Military Outreach program of the U.S. Tennis Association to start a program at Wake Forest. The collaborative effort also includes other state, federal and local agencies like the United Way and the NC Veteran's administration.

Hopkins said the event will help veterans clarify which agency they can go to for the help that they need.
"It's inexcusable that veterans would be homeless, particularly in this city. Housing has become a huge issue - and the landlord-tenant issues. But what we are particularly focused on is helping the vets understand their rights and to gain knowledge about what services are available to them. The federal government provides services, the state office provides services and there are constituent agencies throughout the community that also provide services," said Hopkins.

The registration deadline for the legal clinic is January 27. The event on Feb. 3 begins at 10 a.m. at the WFU Indoor Tennis Center. A shuttle will provide for transportation to the law school.

Retired educator and Vietnam Veteran, Harden "Butch" Wheeler is catering a free lunch for the event. Participants will also get a chance to watch an indoor tennis match between Wake Forest and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Prior to the match, General Gill Beck will honor a wounded veteran.