Wayne vets want clinic

More support is necessary for recovering veterans

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA - If local veterans want medical treatment, they have to travel over 50 miles to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. For some, it’s a trip that just too long.

“We are concerned with the rise in health problems for veterans, especially with regard to the problems around post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the shocking rise in suicides among veterans, especially those who have served for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Michael O’Hara, commander of VFW Post 531 of Honesdale.

He and American Legion commander Jim Bruck appeared before the Wayne County Commissioners on November 6 to plead for support of the establishment of a satellite health clinic for veterans at the Wayne Memorial Hospital health facilities in Honesdale and in Lords Valley.

“We have been in communication with the hospital director, David Huff, who said that the hospital and its satellites have the facilities to satisfy many of the need of veterans and are willing to be of assistance,” Bruck said.

This is a matter that the federal and state governments must facilitate if anything like a facility apart from the VA hospitals is to be established, he said.

“It’s not just PTSD that’s the problem but also the incidents of brain injuries that are now being recognized by veterans of Iraq,” O’Hara said.

Commissioner Brian Smith asked if the veterans groups had been in communication with Congressman Carney’s office. “The congressman sits on a veterans committee and is very sympathetic to your cause,” Smith said.

“We haven’t contacted him yet because we want to begin getting support locally from you and from others here and then work our way to the state and the feds,” O’Hara said.

O’Hara said that some veterans have to take a van on the long trip to Wilkes-Barre, even if they are getting a blood test that takes 15 minutes and must then wait several hours for the return trip.

“Certainly simple things like blood tests can be given locally,” he said. Many veterans who are experiencing financial limitations will not or cannot take the trip and do not receive needed treatment.

“We should be very supportive of our veterans who have made great sacrifices for our country and should receive help when they are in need,” said commissioner Wendell Kay.

The commissioners pledged to send a letter of support to Congressman Chris Carney and state senator Lisa Baker.