Doing It Again To Veterans!!!!!!!!!!

[thedrifter]

RECEIVED THE BELOW LETTER, FELT ALL VETERANS SHOULD SEE IT.

Sempers,

Roger

Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20011

RE: Idaho plans to remove domiciliary veterans from the Idaho State
Veterans Home. Boise.

Mr. Principi:

In the spirit of cooperation with both the VA and the State of Idaho,
with the understanding that the cost of temporary housing for the
displaced Idaho State Veterans Home, Boise(ISVHB) domiciliary
veterans might be too much for State of Idaho to bear during the
state's current financial problems,
I propose the following elements of solution:

Each of these honorable, citizen welfare minded politicians, support
an effort to raise the money necessary for the initially planned
temporary lodging of these veterans in manufactured home facilities
upon the grounds of the Idaho State Veterans Home, Boise via the
donations from their 2002 salaries:

1) President Bush inaugurate the program and demonstrate his
commitment to his public pledge to maintain care of the veterans of
these United States by donating $20,000.

2) Secretary Principi further the process by donating $20,000.

3) Governor Kempthorne donate $20,000.

4) The Idaho legislature donate an amount from the salary of
each member ? equally split amongst them
? to make up the remaining funds.

In this manner, the commitment of these honorable politicians to the
veterans of this country will be indelibly demonstrated to the
taxpayers and there will be no additional cost to the taxpayers and
neither the United States nor the state of Idaho will experience
increased financial burdens.

Perhaps the manufacturers and suppliers of the temporary housing
units, the housing installation, construction, telephone, cable TV
and perhaps even internet access providers could find some measure of
patriotism to offer discounts or free provision in return for tax
deductions and advertising of their gracious aid to disabled
veterans. Wouldn't it be to the advantage of the United States
to encourage such patriotism with applicable tax breaks?

In this manner, the approximately one hundred thousand plus dollars
necessary to install the temporary, equivalent, housing on ISVHB
property can be found, without displacing or denying equivalent care
to the veterans and ? at the same time - maintain the veterans
ability to communicate through telephone and internet services. All
with no cost to the overburdened taxpayers of the United States.



Should such patriotic graciousness not be found in these honorable
government employees,

I suggest that Secretary Principi make use of
CFR38, Part III, Capt 17, Subchap, III, Sec. 1730. "Community
residential care."

"(a) ? the Secretary may assist a veteran by referring such
veteran for placement in, and aiding such veteran in obtaining placement in,
a community residential-care facility if ?
(1) at the time of initiating the assistance the secretary ?
(A) is furnishing the veteran medical services on an outpatient
basis or hospital, domiciliary, or nursing home care; or
(B) has furnished the veteran such care or services within the
preceding 12 months; and
(2) placement of the veteran in a community residential-care
facility is appropriate.

Secretary Principi, you have the authority to create and pay for
lodging for these veterans ? for the duration of the time ISVHB
will be under construction ? in temporary manufactured housing on
ISVHB property, in the Boise VA Medical Center or in community residential-
care facilities.

There are several community residential-care or suitable facilities
less than a mile from the ISVHB ? one, called the Marquis, is
already approved by the VA and housing some veterans; another called the
Idanha(sp?) is just now finishing remodeling for low-income housing
and could be ? with little modification ? a perfect temporary
substitute for ISVHB housing.

I am sure the management of either facility would be pleased to find
room for these veterans, the cost per veteran ? at two veterans
per room ? would be less than or comparable to the cost at ISVHB.

With all the displaced veterans located in one facility, both the VA
and Idaho Veterans Services would find it far simpler to transport
the veterans back and forth between lodging and the VAMC and/or the
ISVHB to maintain the participation of those veterans in the
necessary VA and State medical, activities, socialization, and
community programs. Proper continuity of care will be maintained.

With all the displaced veterans located in one facility both the VA
and Idaho would find it far easier to move the veterans into the
temporary lodgings and to move them back into the ISVHB domiciliary
when construction/remodeling is completed.

There is absolutely no logical or honorable reason to dump these
veterans from the programs that have supported their continuing
interest in living, coping with their disabilities and/or
recuperating from their illnesses.

The proposed disenfranchisement of these veterans from the VA and
Idaho medical and counseling support, and their relatives and
friends ? their life and emotional support networks ?
is barbaric, dishonorable, and unpatriotic.

You, Mr. Principi, enjoy your lifestyle because of the freedom these
veterans earned for you,
by sacrificing their health.

Find a better way.

Sincerely,


Gary Kendall