To the editor:
We stepped up and fought for this country when asked with pride and dignity. We came back from the service with our heads held high and proud.
Unfortunately, we face another fight, and this one affects all veterans, retirees, and disabled veterans. In short, the gas war is being lost in terms of mileage to our appointments at the clinic and Togus VA Hospital. With skyrocketing gas prices, the reimbursement checks to the veterans is 27.5 cents a mile received from Togus for travel pay only covers a fraction of the cost, but Togus takes a fraction of that.
That, in turn, forces us to use our retirement, disability and Social Security checks to pay for travel to our appointments. This is taken from our checks that are being used for our basic needs for the moth, creating more of a hardship on the veterans’ families.
I understand that there are other priorities that exist in this country, but look at this issue. I merely want to contribute my perspective as a Maine disabled veteran and to bring to light one of the impacts our energy crisis has caused. I believe that we, the veterans, retirees and disabled veterans should be rewarded a reasonable adjustment in our travel pay without VA taking a part of it like they have done in our last raise.
The state, federal and other agencies have had their mileage pay raised. Why has the travel pay not been adjusted? I also believe that it should be for round trip, not one way. We use our money to get to the appointments at Togus, and then they pay you to get home.
I urge veterans, retirees, disabled veterans to notify their Senators, Congressmen and Representatives and express their view on this matter.
Houlton
