Lincoln County has a new veteran services officer after the January retirement of Keith Barnes.

Thomas Evans, who had been the veterans service officer for Crook County in central Oregon, was hired last month as the head of the county’s veteran services office and resource center.

Evans grew up in New Jersey and enlisted in the Army in 2008. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division and deployed to Iraq, where he served for a year before returning to Fort Stewart, Ga. About a year after returning, Evans was deployed to Afghanistan. In 2012, he was wounded by an IED and evacuated to the U.S. for treatment. That injury resulted in his medical retirement from the Army and return to civilian life.

Evans’ military honors include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

Evans worked as a case manager and program coordinator for Central Oregon Veteran Outreach, an organization dedicated to supporting houseless veterans by enrolling them into programs and connecting them to resources such as substance abuse and mental health treatment. Evans became Crook County’s veterans services officer in 2024.

“As with my previous positions, I will do anything I can to ensure our veterans here in Lincoln County receive the best services possible,” Evans said in a news release. “Our office will be fierce advocates for our veteran community and do everything within our power to connect them with their benefits earned through service, as well as any resources available at the state or federal level.”

Evans hopes to help senior veterans in the county have easier access to medical appointments by implementing a transportation program that partners with other veteran services organizations.

The Lincoln County Veteran Services Office is located at 1231 S.E Bay. Blvd, Newport. The office can be reached at 541-265-0570. For more information on the office go here.