Gulf War Vets of Long Island

Gulf War Vets of Long Island, New York, Inc

Fax : #(631)447- 5871
Email: LIGWVets@worldnet.att.net

NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs

Michael J. Handy, Director / Military Liaison

346 Broadway, Rm. 819
New York, NY 10013

May 9, 2003

Hi Mike,

I hope things are going well with you. I’m writing to see if possibly there is some way you might be able to assist me in getting
more support and possible action for an issue that has come to light that I feel needs to be addressed.

It was brought to my (and others) attention by Peter Forbes, the Australian Commander of the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.
at one (actually several) of our National Vietnam, Gulf War Veterans Coalition meetings. Mr. Forbes is trying to get a
“Reciprocal Health Agreement” implemented that would assist Veterans traveling from Australia to the US and those from the
US traveling to Australia. More detailed information on this can be found on their website at: vvnw-au.org/HealthCareTreaty.html

The issue itself has to do with Australian and U.S. Veterans who travel or reside, outside the U.S. or Australia and are unable
to get proper treatment or service at VA facilities in a timely fashion. As I understand it, they need to go thru Canadian channels and by
the time it goes full circle they may have moved on. In essence, never
getting the treatment they needed at the time when they needed it.

Mr. Forbes and others do extensive traveling here to the US in support and assistance to Veterans. Veterans of ALL wars.
Vice versa with U.S. Groups that travel to exchange ideas and assist in helping their brothers and sisters, no matter where. During this last
deployment of troops for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom Iraq they worked endless hours putting togetherI don’t know
how many packages that where sent over to our deployed Soldiers.

I just don’t get it. Why does the road for the Veteran have to be so complicated and never ending? Why do they have to fight so
hard for simple things that should be as easy as going to the drug store and picking up a prescription? It just doesn’t seem fair nor right.
Not to mention the fact that every time I turn around there is another stumbling block for them to have to work around and in some form
of fashion honor and respect seem lay at the wayside.

(2)

Yes, I know Parades are being given and all these nice stories over the TV and hooplas galore. However, that is not going to do
very much for those coming home now, when they have to face the same stumbling blocks as our veterans from previous conflicts face.
It just aggravates me to no end.

I know you know about my two sons that served in the first Gulf War, but my youngest also enlisted, and was deployed over to Afghanistan
for the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is out of the service now and home. What will he face if he needs medical treatment?

Mr. Forbes’s request for a “Veterans Reciprocal Health Agreement”, is for “service connected” treatment. That doesn’t seem
out of line or very difficult. So why can’t we make this work? What do we need to do in order to get the ball rolling for this? Please advise me,
if you can, as I would like to help. Can we get support from New York City Veterans?

I will also be sending letters to President Bush, Secretary Principi with Veterans Affairs, and Director George P. Basher with
NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs. Can we get other Veteran Groups in your area to get on board in pushing for action on this?

It seems the Australians have always been there as our allies when we needed their support. Now we should be there for them,
as well as our US soldiers traveling to Australia. In war time, Coalition soldiers have fought side by side, helping and supporting one another,
it seems only proper that in peace time they do the same.

I would appreciate any help with regard to this matter. Once again, please check their site out
for a more informative briefing on this subject at http://www.vvnw-au.org/HealthCareTreaty.html

May 9, 2003

Hi Mike,

I hope things are going well with you. I’m writing to see if possibly there is some way you might be able to assist me in getting
more support and possible action for an issue that has come to light that I feel needs to be addressed.

(2)

Yes, I know Parades are being given and all these nice stories over the TV and hooplas galore. However, that is not going to do
very much for those coming home now, when they have to face the same stumbling blocks as our veterans from previous conflicts face.
It just aggravates me to no end.

I know you know about my two sons that served in the first Gulf War, but my youngest also enlisted, and was deployed over to Afghanistan
for the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is out of the service now and home. What will he face if he needs medical treatment?

I will also be sending letters to President Bush, Secretary Principi with Veterans Affairs, and Director George P. Basher with
NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs. Can we get other Veteran Groups in your area to get on board in pushing for action on this?

I would appreciate any help with regard to this matter. Once again, please check their site out
for a more informative briefing on this subject at http://www.vvnw-au.org/HealthCareTreaty.html

Respectfully,

[ Signature ]

cc: Mr. Peter Forbes
Australian Commander
Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc

May 9, 2003

Hi Mike,

I hope things are going well with you. I’m writing to see if possibly there is some way you might be able to assist me in getting more support and possible action for an issue that has come to light that I feel needs to be addressed.

(2)

Yes, I know Parades are being given and all these nice stories over the TV and hooplas galore. However, that is not going to do very much for those coming home now, when they have to face the same stumbling blocks as our veterans from previous conflicts face. It just aggravates me to no end.

I know you know about my two sons that served in the first Gulf War, but my youngest also enlisted, and was deployed over to Afghanistan for the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is out of the service now and home. What will he face if he needs medical treatment?

I will also be sending letters to President Bush, Secretary Principi with Veterans Affairs, and Director George P. Basher with NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs. Can we get other Veteran Groups in your area to get on board in pushing for action on this?

I would appreciate any help with regard to this matter. Once again, please check their site out for a more informative briefing on this subject at http://www.vvnw-au.org/HealthCareTreaty.html

Respectfully,

[ Signature ]

cc: Mr. Peter Forbes Australian Commander Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc

I hope things are going well with you. I’m writing to see if possibly there is some way you might be able to assist me in getting
more support and possible action for an issue that has come to light that I feel needs to be addressed.

Yes, I know Parades are being given and all these nice stories over the TV and hooplas galore. However, that is not going to do
very much for those coming home now, when they have to face the same stumbling blocks as our veterans from previous conflicts face.
It just aggravates me to no end.

I know you know about my two sons that served in the first Gulf War, but my youngest also enlisted, and was deployed over to Afghanistan
for the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is out of the service now and home. What will he face if he needs medical treatment?

I will also be sending letters to President Bush, Secretary Principi with Veterans Affairs, and Director George P. Basher with
NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs. Can we get other Veteran Groups in your area to get on board in pushing for action on this?

I would appreciate any help with regard to this matter. Once again, please check their site out
for a more informative briefing on this subject at http://www.vvnw-au.org/HealthCareTreaty.html

cc: Mr. Peter Forbes
Australian Commander
Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc