Veterans’ voices heard at forum

BLUEFIELD — Local veterans and their families gathered at the National Guard Armory in Brushfork as part of a forum to discuss several veterans’ issues and hopes of a Veterans Administration clinic for the Mercer County area.

Topics discussed at the forum included the beside manner of VA doctors, disability benefits, transportation to VA facilities, spousal benefits, treatment issues, incorrect health records, high prescription medicine costs and funding for veterans programs.

The forum featured a panel including U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.; Emma Wilson from the West Virginia Small Business Administration; Steve Ellison with Disabled Veterans Services; retired Col. and U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador to West Virginia Dave Mitchell; Assistant Director Brian Nimmo of the Beckley VA Hospital and Veterans Services Director Diane White of the VA regional office in Huntington.

Veterans were glad to have their questions addressed and hoped their concerns and comments would be taken to heart by VA officials.

Veteran Rick Hylton addressed the panel and said he felt a need for a VA clinic to be built in the Mercer County area.

“Everyone seems to think the state line stops at Beckley, but it actually comes on a little further down,” he told them. “I don’t understand why you say the Beckley hospital is overcrowded and then propose to add on to it. We could build a clinic here. We would take the overcrowding. It can be done. At least get something done.”

Rahall told Hylton and the others assembled that he was “not in any position to make any promises” about the clinic and that “grassroots veteran support” would be needed to show the area required a local clinic.

James Jones, a Korean War veteran from Sandlick, said he felt the forum was useful.

“I think it was a great opportunity, not only for me but for everyone here,” Jones said. “It was open. People had problems, expressed them, and received an answer to the best of the panel’s ability.”

Jones hoped the comments from veterans showed the need for a Mercer County VA clinic.

“I hope, above all, they will work to get a veterans clinic in this area,” He said. “It is a long drive to Beckley. I hope they answer my questions. There were too many people here with problems they needed addressed.”

Mercer County Commissioner Jay Mills, also a Korean War veteran, said health benefits were one of the major issues he was glad the forum addressed.

“I’m happy with it,” Mills said. “This forum gets more veterans included and they can find out things from the veterans. Veterans can find out about the benefits they can receive.”

Mills is hopeful for more veterans forums in the future as well as the possibility of a Mercer County Clinic.

“I think a clinic would be very beneficial to Mercer County,” he said.

Al Hancock, who has been leading the push for a Mercer County clinic and is the president of a local retired military support group, was happy with the results of the forum.

“I am absolutely satisfied,” he said. “I’m surprised so many veterans and their families are here. One of the main things is there are a lot of veterans not aware of their benefits and what they need to do to receive them. These are the same issues my fellow military retirees have been talking about.”

Hancock hopes there will be more meetings in the future to address veteran concerns.

“I think we need more one-on-one group meetings, anything to keep the veteran community informed,” Hancock said. “I’m very into veterans issues. It’s what I live for.”

Pauletta Fulton, an army veteran from Bluefield, spoke up at the meeting about troubles she had with the psychiatry unit at the Beckley VA hospital . She hoped the panel would take to heart her concerns and comments as well as those of others at the forum.

Fulton said VA psychiatrists did not listen to her concerns and put her on medication that made her feel “like a zombie for five years.” She said speaking to officials at the hospital did not address her concerns and she knew many veterans who were afraid to voice concerns regarding their psychiatric treatment.

“If it goes the way it should, I will be satisfied,” she said. “If this information helps other veterans to know they don’t have to take medications psychologists are forcing them to take. If that will help single veterans have a normal life again it helps.”

Fulton said the VA needs to work to meet the needs of the growing veteran community.

“The veterans need to be heard and we are growing in number every day,” she said. “I hope they realize the Beckley hospital is not as good as they thought, that there are a lot of areas that need to be worked on.”

Jean Wahl, a resident of Greenbrier County, came out to address concerns about the mental well-being of her children. Wahl’s father, husband, and four of her children are veterans.

“I am concerned for our young veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and afraid to speak about it,” she told the panel. “I want us as American people to support our veterans and to pay the cost, to care for the children we have put in harm’s way to secure our freedom.”

Wahl said the forum was great for addressing the concerns of veterans’ families.

“Congressman Rahall has been addressing our personal concerns about my son for the past two months,” she said. “I appreciate this forum so other veterans can express their concerns and get the information they need.”

Brian Nimmo of the Beckley VA Hospital said the VA wanted to help veterans in the area and address their concerns as much as possible. He wanted veterans to know the VA was listening to their concerns.

“We take our responsibilities very seriously,” he said. “We want to help out as much as we can. There are around 13,500 veterans in West Virginia and between 500 and 600 appointments at the Beckley hospital every day. We need feedback from veterans whenever things happen. If at any time you aren’t satisfied with the care or your care provider, you can ask to speak to someone. We will work to find a situation where you are comfortable.”

— Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com

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