A local veterans’ group is fighting to give those who serve in
the military a better life in McKean County.
The Disabled American Veterans, McKean County Chapter #72, and
its sister group, the McKean County Auxiliary Unit #72, are
initiating an outreach program for area veterans and are looking
into a potential Veterans Affairs clinic in the county.
“Often, when veterans come back (to the U.S. from overseas
duty), there’s a void as they try to fit into society,” said Kelly
Santi, junior vice commander of the McKean County Chapter #72 and
chairman of a fundraiser spurred by the outreach program.
“They go from being in a combat zone to trying to live with
friends and family.”
The DAV’s purpose is to help veterans of all ages with VA health
care systems, raise community recognition of veterans’
contributions to society and give the veterans a general sense of
camaraderie.
“Our mission is to build better lives for disabled veterans,”
Santi said.
One reason such a program is needed, according to fundraiser
adviser Norm Geist, is that many people who served in the military
do not think they qualify for assistance simply because they were
not in actual combat.
“Many women don’t realize they are veterans and should be filing
for benefits,” Geist said.
He also explained that claim work starts within the community
and requires funding.
“There are people who think they have no need for this service
until it’s too late.”
But according to Santi, volunteering is down and money is
running thin, causing an outreach program to be necessary.
“One of our main services is to transport veterans for free to
doctor appointments in far-away places like Buffalo, N.Y., and
Erie,” she said, “but a lot of our volunteers are getting older and
are in nursing homes themselves.”
The group is currently down to just two drivers. Much of the
group’s funding goes towards paying for transport services.
“Even if people are unable to assist financially, just driving
to Erie once a month,” would be very helpful, Geist said.
Another feature of the DAV is to work with the Veterans Affairs
Voluntary Service in Erie to provide bingo nights, holiday parties,
care packages and other services.
But Santi stressed that “to do these things you need
funding.”
That’s why the DAV, which receives no federal funding, has sent
out letters asking for tax-deductible donations to help area
veterans.
“If anyone would like to volunteer or donate, give us a call,”
Geist said.
Those who donate will receive a packet of forget-me-not seeds,
the official flower of the DAV.
Geist, however, feels that the Bradford area has been forgotten
when it comes to getting a VA clinic.
“We have an equal to or slightly greater rate of veterans (in
Bradford) than Warren and they have a VA clinic, so why don’t we?”
he asked.
Warren, Olean, N.Y., Oil City and other nearby places have VA
clinics, according to Geist.
The closest thing McKean County has to such a clinic is the
Community-Based Outpatient Clinic located in Smethport. It is
funded by the VA but is staffed by contracted workers instead of VA
doctors and nurses.
“If they lose the contract, we’re out,” Geist said.
Geist emphasized that it would take a cohesive effort by
veterans and the community to bring a VA clinic to the Bradford
area.
“We have to come together… and write our officials and ask why
we don’t have a VA clinic,” Geist said. “We have a lot of veterans
in McKean County.”
