NH DHHS - Standing Up for North Country Veterans Supporting Homeless Veterans and Their Families

Concord, NH – The North Country Veterans Committee is announcing new

initiatives aimed at supporting homeless Veterans and Veterans who are at

risk for homelessness, in the North Country. Since the inception of this

Committee in 2009, it has done extensive outreach, education and awareness

throughout the North Country in building a stronger safety net for North

Country Veterans and their Families.



Some of the new and innovative initiatives include the North Country

Homeless Resource Guide, Vet to Vet Peer Support, engagement with the

Berlin State Prison and new programs introduced by the White River Junction

VA Medical Center.



The Stand Up for North Country Veterans Press Event begins at 12:00 PM,

Friday, May 17th and will be followed by an Open House, where media

professionals can tour the Vet Center, as well as speak with Veterans and

military providers. The Mobile Vet Center will also be on site for tours,

information and services.



Speakers include:

Executive Councilor Ray Burton

Dave Canter, Vietnam Veteran, Vet to Vet Team Leader

John Pagan, Captain (Retired), US Army Reserve

Jo Moncher, Community Based Military Programs, NH Dept of Health and Human

Services

Rob Norris, Homeless Outreach Worker, WRJ VA Medical Center

Jay Sprinkle, Vietnam Veteran, Team Lead, Berlin Vet Center



DATE: May 17, 2013

12:00pm



EVENT: Stand Up for North Country Veterans



LOCATION: Berlin Vet Center

515 North Main Street

Gorham, NH

Congresswoman Shea-Porter Reintroduces the Veterans Health Equity Act

Washington, DC –  Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter  reintroduced the Veterans Health Equity Act, to increase veterans’ access to health care in New Hampshire. This legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that every state has a full-service veterans  hospital or that similar services are made available through contracts with hospitals in the state.  New Hampshire is currently the only state in the nation that does not have a full-service veterans hospital or equivalent access.  Although there have been many improvements since Congresswoman Shea-Porter introduced this bill in 2008—expanded mental health facilities at the VAMC Manchester, a fully staffed full-time Vets Center in Conway, and a partnership with Concord Hospital to expand access to in-state medical—further improvements are needed to expand access to in-state medical care for New Hampshire’s veterans.  This is a matter of fairness. 

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter said, “I look forward to working with veterans and veteran service organizations to push for expanded health care and services.  Thanking veterans for their service means honoring our commitments to them.”

Background

·        In the 110^th Congress, Congresswoman Shea-Porter sent letters to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Peake, and met with him to discuss the need for full-service health care in New Hampshire. 

·        Congresswoman Shea-Porter introduced the Veterans Health Equity Act of 2008 (H.R. 6629) on July 29, 2008, to provide either a full-service veteran’s hospital or access to comparable services in-state for New Hampshire veterans. 

·        On September 9, 2008, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs reviewed Shea-Porter’s legislation, and she testified before the committee about the need to ensure in-state access to health care for our veterans. 

·        At the beginning of the 111^th Congress, Congresswoman Shea-Porter reintroduced her legislation, the Veterans Health Equity Act of 2009 (H.R. 190), on January 9, 2009, to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to restore the VA Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire to a full-service VA hospital or provide our veterans with comparable in-state care through local health care providers.  Senator Jeanne Shaheen introduced the companion bill in the Senate on January 14, 2009.

·        In July of 2009, the VA announced that it would expand its community partnership with Concord Hospital, meaning that New Hampshire veterans have in-state access to acute inpatient hospital care from the VA.  The VA has also upgraded mental health facilities at the VAMC Manchester.

·        In 2010, the Conway Community Based Outpatient Clinic opened, operating five days a week, fully staffed by VA medical personnel. 

NHGOP STATEMENT ON VETERAN'S DAY

Concord, NH- New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald released the following statement today in observance of Veteran's Day.

"On this Veteran's Day, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and unwavering support to our men and women in uniform,  who have served our country, many of whom are still in active today. These brave men and women, in many cases, have made the ultimate sacrifice for the love of their country and to defend her honor and values. May God bless you and your families."

Carol Shea-Porter thanks veterans for their service

Rochester, NH- Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter released the following statement:

“Today, we pause again to thank our veterans. Throughout our history, America's small towns and large cities have brought forth men and women who answer their country's call.  I watched as my grandfathers' World War I generation marched in parades, and watched as my dad's World War II generation marched in parades, and then watched as our vets of the Korean War and Cold War joined them.  I watched as my husband's Vietnam era Vets lined up and the WWI group dropped away.  Now I watch as the Gulf War I vets and our newest Iraq and Afghanistan Vets show up to march, as the last of my dad's generation fade away.

Throughout it all, we have prayed for peace and prayed for the men and women who show up to preserve it or restore it.  Thank you to my husband, my dad, my grandfathers, and to all of the men and women who answered the call.  This Veterans Day, we gratefully remember those now gone, and honor those living, for their service to America.”

Frank's Footnotes Newsletter: A Special Veteran's Day Message

A Special Veteran's Day Message

This Monday, we as a nation will pause to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to our country, our veterans. These brave men and women work selflessly to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. I strongly believe anytime we send American men and women to foreign lands to defend our freedom, it is our solemn obligation and country’s highest priority to provide them with the care they need when they return. I believe a promise made is a promise kept. Our veterans began their military service by taking an oath, swearing they would “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” They fulfilled that promise with their service. Now that they have left the Armed Forces, it is our duty as American citizens to honor that service with our respect, appreciation and active support. I encourage all of you to take a moment to remember those that are still serving overseas and to keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you to all of New Hampshire’s veterans, may God bless you and your families.