U.S. Rep Elizabeth Esty Meets With Veterans, Advocates in Simsbury

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty hosted a Veterans Roundtable in Simsbury Wednesday afternoon.

Veterans, advocates and professionals shared concerns about health care, benefits, jobs and much more.

Many in the room were those who work with veterans and most had themselves served. 

Some local veterans and area town officials were also in attendance. 

Esty said the meeting was designed to see "what we we can do better in this country to serve those who served us and paid for our freedom with their lives and their blood, sweat and tears." 

Esty said she has already received numerous calls from veterans and appreciates the response. 

"Part of what you can do to help me is let me know what the problems are," she said near the beginning of the program. 

She then spoke of the PROMPT Act, a bipartisan effort to address those who have been waiting months and sometimes years for replacement medals. 

Esty said, "we've been very dogged and persistent about getting medals out to people but it shouldn't be so hard and frankly I don't care what what the budget situation is in the United States you come up with the postage to send these medals out. And that was part of the issue. I'm not kidding you and it's shameful." 

The PROMPT Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in June. It must be passed by the Senate and signed by the President to become law.  Read more here.

Speakers then talked about numerous issues facing veterans, including huge backlogs in processing medical claims, problems adjusting to civilian life, college or the workforce, unemployment and more. 

Some talk surround the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System.

One woman said she had issues with access as a female.

Alfred A. Montoya Jr., assistant director of the, said improvements are coming, such as a women's clinic, more privacy and other improvements at the West Haven campus. 

"It allows us to better treat our veteran population," he said. 

Many talked about the backlog in benefits, including expanded Agent Orange inclusion, and numerous other claims. 

Pat Nelligan, a U.S. Army Reservist who works with the Army Strong Community Center in Bristol, said he felt the VA system has done a fairly good job keeping up as best it can but worried about the influx that will happen now with an U.S. Army drawdown. 

"When those 80,000 hit the street we’re going to flood that system so badly," he said. "I'm really concerned what progress we're making now isn’t enough, to be candid with you." 

Another speaker said the VA needs to map out its process to better identify issues and others said another issue is veterans who don't realize they are qualified for various benefits. 

Employment is another issue facing veterans, with many having trouble getting back into the workforce. 

Some success stories were shared as well. Rob. W. Keene, manager for human resource development with Ensign Bickford Aerospace and Defense said the company had hired two veterans just recently. 

Another issue is education. 

Chris Guitierrez, veterans affairs coordinator at Central Connecticut State University, said too many schools don't have someone like himself to help veterans with transition issues. 

Town officials also asked Esty to keep in mind that many veterans and families seek help from the Social Service Directors in their towns. 

"We see this as a partnership," said Simsbury first selectman Mary Glassman. 

Avon town councilor Pamela V. Samul asked Esty to share any resources with the towns. 

Jeff Hogan, chairman of the Farmington Town Council, praised the OASIS Lounge at Tunxis Community College.

"They've done a lot over there," he said. 

But he also shared a sad story of a vet that committed suicide and said Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is a huge issue.

"A lot of these returning vets have issues that aren’t in two-week intervals," he said. 

In some cases, there is help, he said, such as another program at Tunxis, but communities need to know what they are. 

"We have some compelling issues now, with kids under 25, that are returning to our communities that need help," Hogan said. 

To hear more about these and all the issues discussed, the show can be viewed on the CT-N Network on demand or at the following times. 

7/6/2013  - 5:03 p.m. 

7/8/2013  - 12 p.m.