Statement of Congressman Bernie Sanders on Veteran's Day 2005

Statement of Congressman Bernie Sanders on Veteran's Day 2005
11/10/2005

Sanders said, "Veteran's Day offers us a special opportunity to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend our country, as well as their families. As we honor veterans' commitment to our country, we should also make certain that our government keeps the commitments that have been made to them. Promises have been made to those who have worn the uniform with regard to health care and other benefits, and it is not right that those promises are not being kept.

"It is not acceptable to me or the people of America that in Vermont and across the nation, veterans in need of health care are placed on VA waiting lists at clinics and hospitals. It is not acceptable that, several years ago, 165,000 Category 8 veterans were removed from VA health care eligibility. It is not acceptable that, with tens of thousands of new veterans coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan, the VA does not have the resources to deal with the serious health issues that many of these returning soldiers will bring with them. If we are to truly honor our veterans, we need more than words. We need to make sure that the VA is adequately funded and that veterans receive the benefits that they were promised and that they deserve."

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/articles/20051110321321.html