Richmond County Daily Journal - Unwanted and uncalled for

Dear Editor,

As I understand it, disgruntled veterans and former V.A. employees have arranged a protest movement against the CBOC in Hamlet. I retired from the military as a CSM (Command Sergeant Major). I have worked with the director of the VA Hospital of Fayetteville, Elizabeth Goolsby, on many occasions, and she has always come through for me and supported the veterans. She is a retired 06, who was once the head of nursing services at Womack Army Hospital in Fort Bragg. Ms. Goosby, like me, has seen so many injured veterans laugh, cry, and die. I cannot believe that at this late state, that disgruntled veterans have instigated something of this nature.

I have been the Commander of VFW Post 4203 in Rockingham, the State Commander of AMVETS for the state of NC, and presently I am the Chairman of the VAS committee of the VA Hospital in Fayetteville. If any veteran from the three counties, Anson, Richmond or Scotland, gives me a complaint that is justifiable I forward them to Ms. Goolsby who has so far solved their problems. From the brochure that is being distributed by some group, is unheard of and uncalled for, and believe me I know what leadership is. With five and a half years of combat time I have seen it all. Veterans, please do not participate in this activity, it is unwanted and uncalled for. If you have a gripe, you can write to Director Elizabeth Goolsby, at this address:

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Attn: Elizabeth Goolsby

2300 Ramsey St.

Fayetteville, NC 28301

I am 100 percent positive she can handle your complaints or concerns. I have worked with numerous veterans over the last 20 years who have misled me as to the fact of their complaint. If the upset party is so interested in the veterans, why can’t AMVETS Post 316 get the van which was donated to us? That is still sitting in the CBOC parking lot, for over three months, and hasn’t hauled one patient on the road? This is one of the prime things of disgruntlement. Course 101 in the military is too hot, too cold, they don’t like the officers. However, now, it’s becoming a form of protest which no veteran in their right mind should be involved in. I know personally, that the CBOC has problems like everybody else, but I think according to the article in the Daily Journal, Ms. Goolsby is definitely trying to solve them. Veterans, do not get involved in some activity you will regret later and that can happen.

Edward J. ONeal

Rockingham

Comments

(8)

ElizabethGoolsby

September 13, 2012

I am the Director at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville. I am available to discuss your concerns. Please call my office at 910-822-7059 to chat.

Elizabeth Goolsby

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Citizen18

September 11, 2012

While veterans "protesting" against the VA might seem a bit overboard, it is a one of the fundamental ways in which people express their displeasure with agencies, government, groups, etc. The rally described in an earlier post balances saying "veterans care about the quality of our healthcare" and "we expect the VA to take our concerns seriously." I may chose not to participate but I won't discourage those who do. Frankly, I can understand the frustration with changing providers and inconsistent quality of care that can result. I'm amazed that people have been patient this long.

We should all work within the system to change things that don't work the way they should. That doesn't take away our right to express our views in a peaceful and forthright way.

Saying "no one in their right mind should be involved in" assumes your view and experience is the one all of us should have...that's just not reality. Freedom requires we tolerate the lawful expression of others, whether we agree or disagree. You may not chose to participate but don't condemn those who do; your right to free speech is equal to theirs.

mywolf

Mr. ONeal,

Had you put a little more energy into your research of the "protest" you so aptly stated, you would have learned that the rally was not a "protest" at all. It was a positive effort to encourage any veteran dissatisfied with the quality of care to come together as a group in efforts that solutions to the problems would be found. Disgruntled employees or any other reason you so stated did not have an impact in soliciting signatures. You may not have any problems receiving the care you need from the VA,, however many others lack the political connections or other influences that you seem to possess to have their problems solved. Letters and inquiries on the behalf of veterans to Ms. Goolsby and Mr. McLaughlin have, until recently, gone unanswered or proven ineffective. I am glad that you and many other veterans receive the care you need, however, the concern remains for those whose complaints or needs continue to go unanswered. Information is a powerful tool and a service that is free. That was the main goal of the rally and will continue to be. I hope you are correct in your assessment that complaints or needs will not go unanswered. Veterans are encouraged to follow the "chain of command" with complaints. Regards to the van.....your "military mind" put the cart before the horse....the difficulty is obtaining volunteers to drive the van. Perhaps you can provide the local chapter with a list of volunteers so we can move forward with your idea.

silveradoss

September 10, 2012

I agree with clynch726. The VA seems to think that veterans are there to serve them but they are there to serve veterans. Clynch is absolutely right in saying that without veterans they would be unemployed and perhaps some of them need to be unemployed if they can't get their priorities in order. Veterans, disabled or otherwise, have a right to receive the excellent care they have earned or are those just words with no meaning at all behind them. Certainly seems that way I am sad to say. May Yah bless.

clynch726

September 09, 2012

This is the second letter of yours that I have replied to and I'm not sure if you check the internet replies but something has to be said. This is not a protest this is to bring awareness to the injustices that have been occurring at the Hamlet VA. There has been no permanent primary care doctor since 2009 and my dad hasn't seen the same doctor more than 2 times. Each doctor has a different opinion on treatment and ends up changing medicines around every few months. With that being said this is only the tip of the iceberg. They problems with the VA have been trickled down and the problems start at the top. We have had issues with the Durham and Fayetteville Hospitals and have talked to patient advocates, social workers, department heads and hospital directors and have been passed around, had phone calls ignored and it is disgusting that veterans and their families are tested this way. Without veterans there is no VA. They work for us. My.questionfor you is how long is a veteran supposed to wait before they seek help outside of the local AMVETS? It is the same question I had last time. Or is seeking help something that a veteran can regret? Because you know that does happen. I take that comment as a threat and a challenge. I am helping people right now that have been failed by your system. You can't keep taking the same path and expect a different outcome.

grits2371

September 12, 2012

If a person is not happy with the standard of care they are receiving then they have a right to question it and demand answers...and get them. This is how things that may not be going in the right direction or not working can be changed. Yes there two opinions here, but everyone experiences situations differently, If Mr. Oneal is happy and content with the level of care he is getting or received, that is wonderful. But obviously there are some Vets that are not getting teh level of care they feel they deserve. I am not a Vet nor am I or ever have been a patient, employer, or employee of the CBOC...but I have been a patient that has not received the level of care that I felt I deserved. And because I did not speak up and demand better care for myself, I am now in the worse physical and mental condition I have ever been in. My advice to anyone that seeks medical care, wherever that may be...if you feel you are not getting the care you deserve...COMPLAIN AND DEMAND IT. They are working for YOU! good luck in the changes you all are seeking to make it better for the next. Thank you.

I am a lifetime member of AMVETS and had quit going to meetings quite some time ago. I do not want to get into specifics so let's just say I was not satisfied. Disgruntled vets have a constitutional right to protest just any other American citizens do. I had a very unsatisfactory experience several years ago at the Hamlet CBOC and tried going through proper procedures and here is what happened-NAUGHT. So go for it guys it is your constitutional right.

Before we moved to Charlotte I had another bad experience with a doctor at Hamlet CBOC. There was only two people in the room during my appointment so how was I to present proof. Had we not decided to move to Charlotte I would have requested that I be transferred back to the Fayetteville VA because I never wanted to see that doctor ever again for any reason. We are supposed to recieve the excellent care that we have earned.

I am so glad someone else spoke up. There is no reason any veteran should feel like they can't take a stand against the VA. My husband goes to the CBOC in Myrtle Beach for primary care and Charleston for care related to traumatic brain injury and PTSD. I am glad that my dad already had his specialists in Durham before Hamlet got a CBOC because he would still be waiting for referrals from a primary care doctor. Also there is a Section 1151 claim that a veteran can file against a doctor or medical facility for malpractice or negligence. Most people don't know you can sue the VA on top of filing Section 1151.