They stormed the shores of Normandy. They served in the jungles of Vietnam. More recently, some have worn their uniforms in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. Others have protected American interests in every corner of the world. Monday night, in a Town Hall meeting in Suffolk, these men and women, Veterans of the Armed Services of the United States of America said the need help from their country. They and their supporters took an opportunity to ask the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Less than two dozen people sat in an auditorium at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. One woman chimed in from her seat, "We need day programs, we need support programs, so they can integrate back into their communities."
The small crowd tried to speak for the 740-thousand veterans in Virginia.
Vietnam Veteran Phillip Jennings felt compelled to get information. He says he tried to get help for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But recalls the bureaucracy made him feel like he was not being truthful about his service.
He says, "Your orders should substantiate at least where you were in your tour of duty. They want names of people that we were in Vietnam with. I can't hardly remember my own name at times. Certainly I can't remember others, not from thirty years ago. But I still remember the incidents. I still think about it and have nightmares."
The bureaucracy Jennings says he experienced, was a common concern.
Lisa Meunier, is a retired Navy Captain. She says, "I worked in the bureaucracy for years. I know how to get through it, but our kids coming back don't, especially our reservists."
Muenier's son is an Army Reservist who spent more than a year in Iraq. She and others want to make sure Virginia to assist vets across a range of generations.
A moderator wrote in magic marker the comments, ideas, frustrations from a few Virginian's who remember wars of several decades. They all hope their voices will make a difference.
Governor Tim Kaine issued an Executive Order for Virginia's Department of Veteran Services and other state agencies to improve services to vets. DVS Commissioner Vince Burgess, says he's working compliment what the federally based Veterans Administration can do.
"The VA has come to the realization that they can't be all things to all people...The state of Virginia has 40 Community Service Boards, they have case management services. We have the Social Services in the state. We have a Health Department in state."
Burgess says it's time to connect the agencies in a way that best helps vets, while making sure they know what's available for them.
For the few who made it to the only town hall meeting of it's kind in the eastern part of the state, simply knowing DVS exists, is a step in the right direction.
Jennings says he's "learned that organizations out there who can facilitate and help the veteran."
DVS will put together recommendations from all five of the Town Hall meetings and send them to Governor Kaine. The first meeting was in Fredericksburg. Monday was in Suffolk where DVS operates the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The other three meetings will be held in Roanoke, Abingdon, and Richmond.
DVS Has twenty offices across virginia. Two local numbers for more information are: Tidewater 757-455-0814
Hampton 757 - 825-7893
