March 29, 2024
Letter

Fight for veterans

Are you a veteran, are you the spouse of a veteran, are you related to a veteran, are you the friend of a veteran, are you interested in helping veterans?

Veterans met for their 65th Pearl Harbor Reunion on Dec. 7. As I watched them on television, I was thinking of all our veterans who have so proudly and loyally risked their lives to defend our freedoms and fought to keep us safe.

I wondered how many of those aging veterans will be needing long term care, but Veterans Affairs will not provide that care.

Veterans Affairs staff told me that “non-service-connected veterans are not eligible for long term care.” There are thousands of nonservice-connected veterans who are affected by this, and it is a common complaint among those veterans. There is no money in the budget for their long term care. It is a presidential and congressional decision.

What a shame!

We are the most prosperous and generous nation and there is no money for care that our veterans deserve and so desperately need. They fought to afford us the privilege of being the most prosperous and generous nation.

When they entered the service, many as teenagers, they were promised to be taken care of. No mention then of service-connection. Now the care is not available. You can help.

Please join me in urging our Maine senators and representatives in Washington, D.C., to do the right thing by our veterans and provide legislation for the needed care for our non-service-connected veterans.

They fought for you, please fight for them.

Faith Rankins

Gardiner


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