Veterans of Cape Cod endorse Bill Keating

To the Editor:

Bill Keating was one of the first law enforcement officials in the country to recognize that a number of returning combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan will experience readjustment issues--such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury. He understands that PTSD often goes untreated until the symptoms--self medication, depression and aggressive behavior--manifest themselves into public safety issues. Reflecting on the tragedies of some Vietnam veterans who faced the revolving door of the criminal justice system without addressing the underlying issue of PTSD, in 2004 Bill Keating took action. He marshaled community first responders--police, fire, EMTs, Probation and local leaders--training them on the unique needs of combat veterans and educating them on the local PTSD counseling resources available to combat veterans. The goal was to create a community safety-net for veterans in need, and honor their service to our country. As a result of his work on behalf of veterans he was awarded The Patriots Award, "for contributing to National Security and Protecting Liberty and Freedom."

Unlike his opponent Jeff Perry, Keating does not want to dismantle or privatize the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical facilities. This would entail the severe loss of the expertise of VA medical professionals who are preeminent in diagnosing and treating veterans with their unique medical and mental issues not seen to this degree in the general populous. Perry's proposal to privatize the VA medical system will result in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs across the country of those caring and dedicated people who are now employed by the Veterans Affairs Health Administration.

We all remember what the last presidential administration wanted to do with Social Security by investing in Wall Street. Bill Keating has pledged not to privatize Social Security or raise the age of retirement.

We, the undersigned do hereby agree to the contents contained herein.

Joseph Bangert, Disabled Marine Corps Vietnam Combat Veteran, Harwich
William Borden, Disabled Vietnam Veterans, Falmouth
Richard D. Carey, Disabled Marine Corps Vietnam Combat Veteran, Sandwich
Robert A. DeSimone, Veteran, Newton Centre
Bob Donath, East Orleans, MA
Bill Dooling, Disabled Army Vietnam Combat Veteran, Holliston
Linell Grundman, Veteran, Sandwich
John Hurley, Army Vietnam Combat Veteran, Falmouth
Bob Isadore, Army Vietnam Combat Disabled Veteran, Yarmouth Port
Thomas Johnson, Major US Army Reserve, Harwich
Robert Linton, Army Vietnam Combat, Wellfleet
Bonnie McIntosh, Iraq War Veteran, Hyannis
Joe McParland, Korean War Combat Veteran, Harwich
Wayne Miller, Vietnam Combat Veteran, Sandwich
Ken Rowell, East Orleans
Wm. H. Stewart, Vietnam Veteran, West Hyannisport