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The Beacon
February, 2010
Massachusetts Veterans Deserve our Very Best Efforts as they Return to Civilian Life
<p>Our men and women in uniform have provided unparalleled service to our country. These veterans and those currently in military service deserve our unstinting support for the sacrifices they have made in our common defense. Massachusetts has been in the forefront of providing assistance and benefits to its 420,000 veterans. Working in conjunction with our national Veterans Administration, we in our commonwealth can be proud that we are doing more to meet our veterans’ needs than any other state.</p> <p>Right at the pinnacle of this effort has been our Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Tom Kelley, who was recently the guest on my Cable TV show “The Beacon.” Secretary Kelley is one of 91 living recipients of the Medal of Honor for his heroic service to the United States and also received the Purple Heart. He has served as Secretary of Veterans’ Services since 1999 under four governors, and brings a very valuable perspective to the needs of veterans and their families and to the best ways to access the programs that provide them with essential assistance.</p> <p>Every veteran upon discharge should receive a brochure that lists the benefits and services to which a veteran in Massachusetts is entitled. It is important to obtain and consult this booklet, and there are several other avenues to pursue in seeking information and assistance. The first is to call upon the local veterans’ agent who is the go-to person available with knowledgeable help in every city and town in Massachusetts. These agents should be the first point of contact in the grassroots system of assistance that is conveniently located right in every veteran’s community, and they can easily be reached through town or city halls. They provide access to federal assistance and to all the Chapter 115 state financial assistance programs and, where necessary, to money for basic needs which are 75% reimbursed by the state. Veterans can also obtain information by calling (617) 210-5480 and by going to the website www.mass.gov/veterans.</p> <p>The federal government through the Veterans’ Administration is responsible for the direct healthcare of veterans. To avoid losing healthcare benefits, every veteran should enroll right away in the V.A. healthcare system and not wait for problems to appear. If you are a veteran or a family member or friend, please be sure this sign-up takes place by just bringing in the discharge papers to assure future access to these excellent services from V.A. clinics and hospitals. Disabilities do not always show up right away, and we do not want any veteran to be in danger of losing valuable healthcare benefits.</p> <p>Massachusetts will also pay for health insurance if a veteran’s income is below a threshold, provide mental health screenings, and implement certain of the federal programs for veterans. In addition, our state has two soldiers’ homes, in Chelsea and Holyoke, where veterans can receive long-term care and where veterans who live in the community can utilize outpatient clinics which have recently been restored to full funding.</p> <p>Our veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been particularly subjected to stress. 90% of them have experienced real violence such as being under attack, in a firefight, or seeing others injured or killed, a percentage far higher than in other recent wars. A quarter to a third of these returning veterans have some symptoms of stress disorder, and timely attention to stress can keep it from becoming more serious. One out of five have been subject to concussions, now called traumatic brain injuries, the symptoms of which can show up at a much later time to affect speech, thought processes, and behavior. Not all disorders are like gun wounds or back injuries that become obvious right away, and veterans concerned about stigma or becoming a burden should recognize that without care a disorder can become even more of a burden when timely help is not sought. There is excellent medical assistance out there, and the families and friends of returning veterans can help them seek any assistance they may need.</p> <p>In addition to medical benefits, veterans in Massachusetts have access to a wide array of programs to assist with education, employment and housing. Anyone who would like further information regarding these programs should talk to their local veterans’ agent, use the phone number and website listed above, or call my office at (617) 722-2020. As a long-time member of the Legislature’s Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I encourage each of us when we see someone in uniform to thank them for their service. These are the people whose personal sacrifices have made our country and our lives secure. As they return to civilian life I want to also recognize and applaud the good work of all those who assist our veterans by staffing the programs that help them readjust with good medical care, education benefits, job assistance, and help in finding a home. Our veterans deserve no less as we welcome them home.</p> </div> <!--articlebody--> </div> <!--article2--> </div> <!--article--> <p> </p></td></tr></table> <table width=980px cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" class="navigation"><tr><td> <ul class="navigation"> <li class="navigation"> <a href="../home.html">Home</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../about/bio.html">About Mark</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../volunteer.html">Get Involved</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../news.html">News Archive</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../photos/photos1.html">Photo Gallery</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../beacon.html">The Beacon</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../newsletter.html">The Newsletter</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../issues/localaid.html">Issues</a></li> • <li class="navigation"> <a href="../contact.html">Contact Us</a></li> </ul></td></tr></table> <table width=980px cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" class="info"><tr><td><div class="info"><center> Mark Falzone Committee • 76 Hammersmith Drive • Saugus, MA 01906 • <a href="mailto:contact@falzone.org">contact@falzone.org</a></center></div></td></tr></table> <br /> </center> </body> </html>