DAV officials to assist veterans affected by mill shutdown

MEDWAY – National Disabled American Veterans officials are coming to Medway later this week to assist all veterans and their dependents affected by the shutdown of Great Northern Paper Inc.

Elwin Cox, commander-elect of the DAV Bernard L. Coro Post Chapter 22, said John Rogers, the DAV’s national service officers supervisor, will be available at the Medway post from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and during the installation of officers ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Cox said several national DAV officials were coming to Medway to show their support. They include Ed Heath, the national DAV commander, Sonny Koel, the national chief of staff, and Rogers.

“We have a lot of veterans who worked in the mills,” said Cox. He said many veterans are being affected by the paper company shutdown and were concerned about health care and prescription coverage.

“We have people who have approached us with concerns about losing their mill insurance,” he said. Cox said some vets could be faced with more than $1,000 a month in prescription costs. He said the national officials would be looking into health coverage for veterans.

“There are an awful lot of people out there who want to see what is available and want to get their claims in,” said Cox. “In the meantime, we are going to make sure our veterans are well taken care of and don’t go without food, heat or health care.”

The Medway DAV post is providing fuel assistance to affected veterans. The program is being coordinated through the First Congregational Church in East Millinocket. For information, call 746-5575.

Cox said the state department would provide additional funds to the post to help with fuel assistance. Anyone wanting to donate may make checks payable to the DAV Bernard L. Coro Post Chapter 22 Veterans’ Fuel Assistance Fund and send them to the DAV Post, P.O. Box 193, Medway 04460.