Gulf War Vets of Long Island, New York, Inc

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

                                                                                                                                                                        May 16, 2003

Anthony Principi

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420

Dear Mr. Secretary,

            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.

            We have enclosed a petition in support of a Reciprocal Health Services Treaty and 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.

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 for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.
 

                                                                                                                                                  Respectfully,

                                                                                                                                            Jackie Olsen ~ Director

                                                                                                                                    Gulf War Vets of Long Island, NY Inc

cc: Mr. Peter Forbes

Australian Commander
Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc