Veterans

Rain or shine, warm or cold, Vinalhaven citizens come out every Memorial Day to honor and appreciate the service of our veterans.

Today, though, a Vinalhaven resident, Vietnam veteran Marine and Purple Heart recipient, has sounded the warning: “I’m very concerned about wounded veterans who may be getting their disability and medical payments reduced or taken away by the current administration.

“The firing of Veterans Administration (VA) staff, 30% of whom are veterans, is very disturbing.

“The VA has long been understaffed and that makes it difficult for veterans to get the health care they need and to get qualified for benefits. Further reducing the workforce of an already understaffed VA will make things much worse. Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion have spoken out against any reduction in VA benefits and any reduction in VA staff.”