Representative Don Humason



SOLDIERS’ HOME LETTER November 14, 2009 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. This past Wednesday, November 11, was Veterans Day. Aside from a few mentions on the news and the fact that most government offices were closed for the day, the observance probably passed with little notice for most people. But that’s ok. Despite our country being at war in Iraq and Afghanistan; despite the recent terrorist attack at Fort Hood in Texas; despite the near constant stream of stories about American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines in harm’s way around the world, most of us tend to live our lives in ignorant bliss, unaware of the sacrifices being made by the men and women who wore or currently wear the uniform of the armed forces of the United States of America. And still that’s ok. It’s really ok if we don’t know or notice or appreciate what our fighting forces are doing for us day in and day out, or remember what our veterans did for us throughout our history. The dedicated professionals in our military work, fight, and sometimes die so that the rest of us can live our lives in safety and security and freedom. That’s how they like it. But most Americans and most Massachusetts citizens believe that society owes a special debt to our military men and women and our veterans. We know that even if we don’t always pay the proper attention to our veterans that at least there are services set aside for them. Special places for veterans like the two Soldiers’ Homes in the Bay State. One is in Chelsea, Massachusetts, the other in Holyoke. So when we hear a rumor at the barber shop or a snippet of a story on the news that the Governor is cutting services to veterans at the Soldiers’ Home we rouse ourselves from our oblivion enough to get angry and question what the government is doing. We think despite the fact the Commonwealth is in the grips of a recession, surely our government must have its priorities straight enough to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans especially since our country remains at war! Below is the full text of a letter written by Holyoke legislators Senator Mike Knapik and Representative Mike Kane that was signed by many of us in the Western Massachusetts legislative delegation. It was sent to Governor Patrick to protest his recent announced cut of the Soldiers’ Home and seek his help to restore that money to their budget. The fact this letter was even necessary, especially as Veterans Day 2009 was approaching, leaves us all shaking our heads in disbelief. November 5, 2009 His Excellency Deval L. Patrick Governor of the Commonwealth State House, Room 360 Boston, MA 02133 RE: 9C Cut - Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke (line item 4190-0100) Dear Governor Patrick: We are writing on behalf of the thousands of veterans in Western Massachusetts who rely on the services provided by the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Over the past several days, we have been contacted by these honorable individuals who are concerned about the $894,404 reduction in the FY 2010 Soldiers’ Home budget announced last week. We appreciate the opportunity to share with you the impact of this cut and respectfully ask for you to reconsider this action. When the announcement of 9C cuts was made last week, several of us reached out to the Administration at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke to request details on the impact this reduction would have on services provided at the Soldiers’ Home. It is our understanding the cut will require the Home to privatize its laboratory services, lay off approximately 10 employees, and eliminate all outpatient services. After two rounds of 9C reductions in FY 2009 and this most recent FY 2010 cut, the HSH budget reflects the FY 2007 level of spending. We certainly understand that none of the decisions we in state government have been required to make over the past two years have been particularly attractive or easy; however, we wholeheartedly believe that services to these veterans, many of whom have difficulty accessing services in other venues, must be protected. As of late last week, the Soldiers’ Home expected to send notices to nearly 1,800 veterans canceling appointments for outpatient services, including general medical treatments, dermatology, hematology, ophthalmology, optometry, ear, nose and throat, podiatry, minor surgery, proctology, nephrology, and urology. This represents over 7,000 visits by veterans to the Soldiers’ Home. Appointments for x-ray, physical therapy, and other services will also be cancelled, putting veterans in need of services in danger of going without. There are few institutions in the Commonwealth that generate the loyalty, passion, and praise enjoyed by the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. We must stand up and stand with these veterans who have stood up for us in the most trying of circumstances throughout their lives. Therefore, we respectfully request you reconsider the level of this cut in services so that the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke can continue to fulfill its mission “providing Care with Honor and Dignity.” Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share our priority with you. We look forward to better times ahead and hope that you might find it within your power to help this important institution here in the present as well. Very truly yours, Senator Michael R. Knapik Representative Michael F. Kane Representative Don Humason Et al cc: Michael Pasterczyk, Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke *** Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

SOLDIERS’ HOME LETTER

November 14, 2009

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

This past Wednesday, November 11, was Veterans Day.

Aside from a few mentions on the news and the fact that most government offices were closed for the day, the observance probably passed with little notice for most people. But that’s ok.

Despite our country being at war in Iraq and Afghanistan; despite the recent terrorist attack at Fort Hood in Texas; despite the near constant stream of stories about American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines in harm’s way around the world, most of us tend to live our lives in ignorant bliss, unaware of the sacrifices being made by the men and women who wore or currently wear the uniform of the armed forces of the United States of America. And still that’s ok.

It’s really ok if we don’t know or notice or appreciate what our fighting forces are doing for us day in and day out, or remember what our veterans did for us throughout our history. The dedicated professionals in our military work, fight, and sometimes die so that the rest of us can live our lives in safety and security and freedom. That’s how they like it.

But most Americans and most Massachusetts citizens believe that society owes a special debt to our military men and women and our veterans. We know that even if we don’t always pay the proper attention to our veterans that at least there are services set aside for them. Special places for veterans like the two Soldiers’ Homes in the Bay State. One is in Chelsea, Massachusetts, the other in Holyoke.

So when we hear a rumor at the barber shop or a snippet of a story on the news that the Governor is cutting services to veterans at the Soldiers’ Home we rouse ourselves from our oblivion enough to get angry and question what the government is doing.

We think despite the fact the Commonwealth is in the grips of a recession, surely our government must have its priorities straight enough to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans especially since our country remains at war!

Below is the full text of a letter written by Holyoke legislators Senator Mike Knapik and Representative Mike Kane that was signed by many of us in the Western Massachusetts legislative delegation. It was sent to Governor Patrick to protest his recent announced cut of the Soldiers’ Home and seek his help to restore that money to their budget. The fact this letter was even necessary, especially as Veterans Day 2009 was approaching, leaves us all shaking our heads in disbelief.

November 5, 2009

His Excellency Deval L. Patrick

Governor of the Commonwealth

State House, Room 360

Boston, MA 02133

RE: 9C Cut - Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke (line item 4190-0100)

Dear Governor Patrick:

We are writing on behalf of the thousands of veterans in Western Massachusetts who rely on the services provided by the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Over the past several days, we have been contacted by these honorable individuals who are concerned about the $894,404 reduction in the FY 2010 Soldiers’ Home budget announced last week. We appreciate the opportunity to share with you the impact of this cut and respectfully ask for you to reconsider this action.

When the announcement of 9C cuts was made last week, several of us reached out to the Administration at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke to request details on the impact this reduction would have on services provided at the Soldiers’ Home.

It is our understanding the cut will require the Home to privatize its laboratory services, lay off approximately 10 employees, and eliminate all outpatient services. After two rounds of 9C reductions in FY 2009 and this most recent FY 2010 cut, the HSH budget reflects the FY 2007 level of spending.

We certainly understand that none of the decisions we in state government have been required to make over the past two years have been particularly attractive or easy; however, we wholeheartedly believe that services to these veterans, many of whom have difficulty accessing services in other venues, must be protected.

As of late last week, the Soldiers’ Home expected to send notices to nearly 1,800 veterans canceling appointments for outpatient services, including general medical treatments, dermatology, hematology, ophthalmology, optometry, ear, nose and throat, podiatry, minor surgery, proctology, nephrology, and urology. This represents over 7,000 visits by veterans to the Soldiers’ Home. Appointments for x-ray, physical therapy, and other services will also be cancelled, putting veterans in need of services in danger of going without.

There are few institutions in the Commonwealth that generate the loyalty, passion, and praise enjoyed by the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. We must stand up and stand with these veterans who have stood up for us in the most trying of circumstances throughout their lives. Therefore, we respectfully request you reconsider the level of this cut in services so that the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke can continue to fulfill its mission “providing Care with Honor and Dignity.”

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share our priority with you. We look forward to better times ahead and hope that you might find it within your power to help this important institution here in the present as well.

Very truly yours,

Senator Michael R. Knapik

Representative Michael F. Kane

Representative Don Humason

Et al

cc: Michael Pasterczyk, Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke

***

Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group