|
Published: April 17, 2008 10:51 pm
Vets the focus of C-Span visit
By KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat
ALTOONA —
This region’s and military veterans’ needs were the focus of national attention Thursday as C-Span, the nation’s public affairs cable television network, brought its election bus to central Pennsylvania.
The perceived failings of veterans services – which are being asked to do more because of the physically and mentally injured soldiers returning from Iraq – were debated by those involved in the issue during the network’s 90-minute “Washington Journal.’’
The program, including questions from C-Span host Susan Swain and call-in viewer questions from across the country, was kicked off with U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Shuster represents all or part of 14 counties of the 9th Congressional District, including Cambria and Somerset.
The Van Zandt Medical Center, used as a backdrop for the C-Span camera, has no significant problems, yet serves 87,000 veterans, Shuster said.
“It’s a model. It’s not a huge facility, but it’s a good example of how small faculties can provide veteran services,” he said from the front steps of the Capitol.
The three-term congressman supports an idea of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who wants to issue veterans a plastic card allowing them to seek medical care from physicians and hospitals close to home when no veterans facility is near.
Shuster said he also supports efforts to improve veterans medical facilities.
The card system is supported by Lou Anne Leamer, of the U.S. Armed Forces Mothers.
Leamer, who had two sons in the military and is married to a Vietnam veteran, said the card would be helpful for ex-military personnel in need of emergency care.
“It might actually be a good idea in some areas. Fortunately, we have a hospital in this area,” she said during the 20-minute segment when she was featured from the C-Span bus near the medical center.
Frank Rosenhoover – the Blair County Democratic Party chairman, a military veteran and retired school teacher – was featured on the show and said the system is failing veterans old and new.
He fears there is a significant difference between what the veterans say they need and what they are getting, he said.
“We have veterans coming home with very significant emotional and psychological problems. And it’s going to be more difficult to get these people help,” Rosenhoover said.
The third and final guest speaking from the bus was John Foy, head of the Blair County chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.
Foy said the bureaucracy in the veterans system wears people out and they give up trying to get benefits.
“Some of these things they say they’re going to do every time an election comes up,” Foy said of the hands-on approach McCain and Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are promising.
“I think they should take a better look at what’s going on in the VA system,” Foy said.
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
|
 |
Therapeutic Staff Support
THERAPEUTIC STAFF SUPPORT, mental health program seeking exp. person to work w/children in home/community ...>MORE
RNs/LPNs
Rns/LPNs
Immediate Openings
For Private Duty Nurses
28 yr. old female, trach, g-tube, spina b...>MORE
ASSISTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
ASSISTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The Marion Center Area School District is accepting applications for an Assistant...>MORE
Secondary Social Studies Teacher
SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
Full time position, effective immediately.
Send application, resume, transcri...>MORE
RN
MEADOW VIEW
NURSING CENTER
RN-
Assistant Director
Of Nursing
Join our progres...>MORE
Rapidly expanding steel fabricator/industrial contractor is in need of the following:
Rapidly expanding steel fabricator/industrial contractor is in need of the following:
Welders, Struct...>MORE
Servers Wanted
SERVERS WANTED, must be avail. all shifts, incl. evenings & weekends, no exp. necessary, will train. No phone ca...>MORE
PBG
The Pepsi Bottling Group
Of Johnstown, PA is hiring Production Maintenance Mechanics. Please review the de...>MORE
CNC LATHE AND VMC OPERATORS
CNC LATHE AND VMC OPERATORS
Full time, Technical school and/or experience preferred. Position requires drug screen,...>MORE
INTERMEDIA MARKETING POSITIONS
LOOKING TO EARN SOME EXTRA $$$?
Call InterMedi@ Marketing
Solutions. 1-800-520-4100...>MORE
See all ads |
229 HAWTHORNE, (behind St. Benedict school). 8 am-2 pm, Sat., Aug. 30. Tons of household items, stereo, kids toys, aquar...>MORE
RICHLAND YARD SALE 8am-2pm, Saturday - Aug. 30th. 311 Kerr Drive. Kids clothes, toys, HH & more. Quality sale! Rain Date...>MORE
1227 SOAP HOLLOW RD. Fri., 8-7; Sat. 8-3. Longaberger, Art, Craft, Scrapbook Supplies, Collectibles, Furniture, Baseball...>MORE
MOXHAM YARD SALE - 8:00-4:00, Saturday, 415 Coleman Ave. FOLLOW THE ORANGE ARROWS for a wide variety of h/h items, adult...>MORE
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th. 107 Maxwell Ave. Follow signs at the top of Ohio St., off of ...>MORE
See all ads |
ASH ST. PROPERTY FOR Rent/Rent with option to buy. New kitchen, carpeting, 2 bedrooms, Section 8 approved. 814-392-1182...>MORE
Walnut Grove
WALNUT GROVE
2 houses for sale,
3 BR rented $350/mo,
& a 2 BR vacant,
$37,500 for both.<...>MORE
RICHLAND TWP. & SALON
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP
SUCCESSFUL BEAUTY SALON in Richland Twp. for sale. 1st flr. of 3 BR cape cod house, also at...>MORE
CENTRAL CAMBRIA SCHOOLS - Exquisitely remodeled, great starter or retirement home. 1 level living, 3 bedrooms, partially...>MORE
TOWNHOUSE, RICHLAND
Townhouse- Richland Move-in cond.! 2 BR, 1.5 BA, family rm. Many updates. Brick & vinyl ext., beautiful wooded back yr...>MORE
See all ads |
STEELERS TICKETS 9/7 opener (Myron Cope), $250/pair. End zone. Call Jim 814-243-3626....>MORE
2 TICKETS - Richmond Sprint Cup Race 9/06. Row 29. $90 each. Call 814-241-0899....>MORE
LIBERTY TAX SERVICE
FREE TAX SCHOOL
Earn extra income after taking course.
Flexible Schedules.
Con...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
