Gulf War Vets of Long Island, New York, Inc

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

                                                                                                                                                            May 16, 2003

NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs

#5 Empire State Plaza, Suite 2836

Albany, NY 12223-1551

Director:  George P. Basher

Dear Mr. Basher,

            Recently, it has come to our attention that our Veterans traveling to Australia and vice versa, (Australian Veterans traveling
to the US,) are having difficulties in receiving medical and health, service-connected treatment, in a timely fashion. Due largely in part,
to the red tape of our US Veterans having to go thru the U.S. Embassy, while in Australia, and the Australian Veterans having to go
through Canadian Representatives, to contact our VA. Therefore, treatment is not forth coming when needed. 

It was brought to my (and others) attention at one (actually several) of our National Vietnam, Gulf War Veterans Coalition meetings,
by Peter Forbes, the Australian Commander of the Veterans of  the Vietnam War, Inc. 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.

The issue itself has to do with Australian and U.S. Veterans who travel or reside, outside their respective homeland, and are unable
to get proper treatment or service at VA facilities in a "timely" fashion.

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 together I don’t
know how many packages that where sent over to our deployed Soldiers.

(2)

            We are asking for your support and assistance, in getting this very important agreement implemented. These two great nations
served together and supported each other many times over in times of war and conflicts. It seems only “proper”  that in peace time,
they do the same. It only seems “just” that they get “prompt” medical service when necessary, not after the fact. Mr. Forbes’s request
for a “Veterans Reciprocal Health Agreement”, is for “service connected” treatment.

            As a Vietnam Veteran yourself, surely you can appreciate the importance and necessity of having an agreement such as
suggested by Mr. Forbes, in effect to better serve our Veterans, as they and yourself did, when you all served our Nation.  
For additional information you can contact Mr. Forbes directly, at: Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. # (570)603-9740 or (618)8349 6866.

            Thank you Mr. Basher for your service to our Nation and for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to
hearing from you.

                                                                                                                                                        Respectfully,

                                                                                                                                                       [ Signature ]

                                                                                                                                                 Jackie Olsen ~ Director

                                                                                                                                           Gulf War Vets of Long Island, NY Inc

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