VETERANS CORNER: How do you say “NO”, to a friend?

by Gary Kennedy

I keep trying to retire but someone always calls me and says, “Gary this is your friend Joe. I know you are retiring but could you do me a favor?” Of course, it’s another veteran with a problem being referred. How do you say “NO”, to a friend? After my family, I love veterans next. When a job is well done for them most are grateful. Their gratitude is worth all that goes into it. A supportive VA is the greatest reward they can receive for their service to our country. Most V.S.O.’s concur with the elation shared by the relationship when they make it all come together.

Unfortunately, every Veterans Administration office has an employee with poor training who gives poor advice or likes to pound on his or her chest and show how great and important they are. In the past, I told you the story of the veteran who came to Togus in search of help and was turned away as it was believed he made too much money. True he was a hard worker. He dug clams and did some carpentry work. He was honest and reported all his income. Later in life he had a family and one of his son’s lost a leg because of military service and the father, the subject of this story, brought him to V.A. Emergency and waited for him in the waiting room. While there, my wife was doing some volunteer work and I was placing copies of this very newspaper in the upstairs waiting rooms. The now elderly gentleman struck up conversation with my wife about his son losing a leg and his having to help his son with transportation. They lived a considerable distance away. My wife asked if he had ever been in the service and he said, “Yes”. She asked if he used any of the VA services and he replied, “No”. He explained he wasn’t eligible as he was told he made too much money. He explained his problems which were all service connected. She had him speak with me and we filed a case and won 100 percent. Of course, he needed to get an ID card and be hooked up with the system. This was a case of 60 years lost. That was because of poor training on the part of VA and/or service officers.

I have had a couple of veterans come to me and complain about an employee’s treatment regarding their visit. I myself usually take my issue to V.B.A. (B.V.A.) on the second floor of bldg. #248. I recommend them. You can also use V.F.W., American Legion, Maine Vets or D.A.V., but personalities sometimes get in the way. I find veterans and their families to be very special and find a way to engage individuals, as they are all different. Sometimes it’s difficult but it can be done. Remember the broken or damaged soldier you see today is not the same as the one of his youth. However, V.A. employees should never holler or be disrespectful to veterans or their spouses.

I have witnessed this type of behavior myself and couldn’t believe their boss would not be aware of these individuals behavior and reprimand this sort of behavior. You don’t argue with a veteran de-escalation of a tense situation should be done tactfully, thus allowing the steam to evaporate. Personalities are complicated things; you can have great knowledge regarding the veterans need but it’s how you deliver it. We are not competing with veterans, we are trying to satisfy their need and that must be done in a professional, non demeaning manner. You need to prevent aggressive or harmful actions. Safety is paramount. Some veterans walk a thin wire. Some people are placed into positions of direct conflict, such as problem solving. Though they know what to do, they just don’t have people skills and shouldn’t be in that position. I blame that on the placement team.

Here at Togus the problem goes a little bit further with the attrition rate. VA Togus has lost some very good doctors for various reasons. Some medical professionals are retiring and happy to have the longevity to be able to do so. Some, even with the benefit of not bearing civilian responsibility like being held liable for mistakes, no need for insurance, still find the environment too high pressure. A few issues ago I mentioned the Peter Principle. Some have succumbed to that trap and just decided to leave. Some of these great men and women professionals would still be here if management had left them in the positions they were hired for.

When forced to work outside ones comfort zone of knowledge one tends to be uncomfortable and in some cases hide. What a loss! Currently there is a hiring freeze and I feel that is because of President Trump’s revamping the government. I must say, I don’t disagree with that but it does carry some unseen negatives with it. Some of us communicate with the powers that be, perhaps they will get the picture and fix it. There are many brilliant medical professionals who would like to immigrate here but that’s not possible currently. Also, I think the allocation of VA money by the Fed, needs to be reviewed when it comes to VA.

For the first time in five years there is work being done to the infrastructure here. However, I believe the wrong places at the wrong time. We are paying outside crews to “patch” our damaged roads but our internal needs are falling in decay. Veterans are passing away without having their medical needs and others satisfied. There are barricades everywhere. It is my honest opinion that at this rate and direction a drastic change will occur in the vet system itself. Putting a bandaid on it won’t suffice what is ailing our system.

Sad to say but outside doctors are becoming fewer and fewer. When you allocate only one-third of what the medical professionals are asking for they are replying, “We can’t even cover our expenses with that amount”. VA knows what I am talking about. It is a secret, although most veterans don’t see or know this. I personally have traveled as much as five hours to be treated. Those in the county travel as much as eight hours, to some destinations. Why?. Because that specialty won’t work for VA rates in Maine. We all need to realize it isn’t because they don’t love veterans, some are veterans themselves. They just can’t afford to take the continual loss.

I have lost a couple of great doctors myself. I think we need to get our new VA Secretary Douglas Collins on board to what’s happening in the system. He’s new perhaps he isn’t really aware. People tend to take the new guy for granted until he wises up to the job around him. I’d like to see transparency regarding the money allocated to VA to the benefit of veterans. After all it’s our money and there to benefit all veterans and their families. VA needs to realize they work for us and have work because of us. We should have some input in how our money is spent.

The hiring freeze is what is killing us currently. All of you can now spread what I have said to those of us in remote areas. We all should be aware of the problem and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Drop a line to: Honorable Douglas A. Collins, Secretary US Department of Veterans Affairs. 810 Vermont Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20420.

Have a pleasant and safe weekend. God bless you and your family. See you next time.