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Visiting

Congressman Joe Courtney, second from the left, poses with, left to right: Norm Beaupre, VFW Commander, Charles Mahoney program organizer and World War II vet Gerry Salvas. Photo by Sarah Hamby.

 

 

 

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

The Honorable Joseph Courtney, Congressman from Connecticut’s 2nd Congressional District, was on hand in Putnam Aug. 7 to meet with local veterans in an effort to maintain an open dialogue regarding issue that may be affecting those men and women who have served out country.  The meeting at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523 in Putnam, one of five that Courtney conducted in Eastern Connecticut was attended by 18 area veterans, ranging from individuals who served in WWII through vets who have been engaged as recently as the conflict in Iraq.

The centerpiece of Courtney’s visit was the recently signed Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.  The Act is a bipartisan effort in the House that addresses the nation-wide challenges with access to VA medical care that have come to light in recent months.  The $15 billion funding package dedicates $10 billion to Expanding Access to Health Care for Veterans.  The other $5 billion is aimed at hiring more primary and specialty care physicians and other medical staff.

“I’m pleased that I was an integral part of the bipartisan majority that saw fit to support this vital legislation for our veterans.  Our veterans have put their lives on the line for decades and they deserve the best health care we can provide,” said Courtney, who serves on the House of Representative Military Affairs Committee.

“In response to the widespread criticism that was covering up long wait time for access to care, the Veterans Administration launched an audit to determine the actual wait times for all VA facilities.  This audit found systematic reporting problems in multiple VA facilities and the Act begins the process of correcting this error,” he said. 

Joseph LaFrance, a veteran from Plainfield, spoke to the gathering at the urging of Congressman Courtney.  LaFrance addressed the need for volunteer drivers to assist veterans in need of rides to medical appointments.  He told the veterans who were gathered that there is a van available to transport them to area veteran and healthcare facilities.

“I never knew of the program until a friend informed me of the service.  After using the service, I decided to become a volunteer driver.  There is a great need for more drivers as we currently have only three individuals providing this service,” said laFrance.

In 2013 volunteer drivers provided rides to 9,840 veterans, which covered at total of 362,000 miles.  The van is physically located in Montville but can be brought anywhere in Eastern Connecticut to assist a veteran in need of transportation to a medical appointment.

On hand for the program were 44th Assembly District State Representative Mae Flexer and Daniel Rovero of the 51st Assembly District, who is a United States Army veteran.  The program was co-hosted by the VFW and American Legion Post #13, which were represented by commanders Norm Beaupre and Rick Carnahan.  Coordinating the program locally with the Congressman’s office were veterans Chuck Mahoney of the VFW and Ron Coderre of the American Legion.

In closing, Congressman Courtney told the veterans present that they could contact his office through his Veterans Liaison Ryan McKenna a United States Air Force veteran.  McKenna can be reached by telephone at 860 886-0139 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..