Welcome, Walter. I had a SCC with a partial mandible resection; is that what they are talking about, or are they talking removing the entire mandible?

The two are vastly different. They took about 40% of my jaw, and rebuilt it with titanium and bone from my leg. I have a functional jaw as a result, able to chew almost normally. If they are talking about removing the entire mandible, you may not be as fortunate, since if the hinge joint is affected, it can't be reconstructed. Often the solid jaw is replaced with dense muscle ( from your thigh) and you are limited to liquids for nutrition.

Certainly get more than one opinion, and try to get into a dedicated cancer care facility as opposed to the VA.
Best luck!
Wayne