VA SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

On Frida,y August 17th, a deranged veteran stormed into the Buffalo VA Medical Center with a 22 caliber rifle in one hand and a Rambo hunting knife in the other and seriously wounded three men and scared the wits out of everyone else there.

The most seriously wounded was PDC John J. Skyler whose Marine Corps instincts compelled him to take on the gunman empty-handed and stopped him in his tracks, and in doing so probably saved several lives. Unfortunately, John suffered a stab wound that caused the removal of his gallbladder and injury to his liver and intestines. Thankfully, his condition is stable now and he will recover completely.

However, the aftermath of the incident will be more enduring. VA security is being beefed up system wide. In fact, this incident, as well as similar circumstances elsewhere, have compelled the VA to arm approximately 1000 VA police officers at 50 VA facilities, and provide all VA facilities to be so secured in the not too far distant future.

Since 1986, four VA police officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty. In addition numerous other police officers were wounded by weapons or were involved in incidents that could have resulted in injuries. Regretably, VA medical facilities are not immune to violence.

In response to the need to ensure a safe environment, the Secretary Principi has directed that all VA Police Officers be trained and armed with a VA approved firearm.

The Beretta 9mm semiautomatic pistol was chosen for its splendid safety features. This is a double action hand-gun modified for VA to include a disconnecting device that renders it inoperable when the magazine is removed. The officer may remove the magazine and make it inoperable when entering certain areas of a hospital such as a psychiatric ward. This safety feature along with a special security holster reduces the likelihood of the gun being taken and used by an unauthorized person. Finally, each officer must complete continuing training in the use of force, handgun retention and reduced light firing, and they must qualify on the range twice a year.

It all sounds ominous, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

SERVICE DOGS TO IMPROVE LIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS

On September 6th the House Veterans Affairs Committee held a public hearing on H.R. 2792, the Disabled Veterans Service Dog and Health Care Improvement Act of 2001. You would never guess who supported the Act. It's a hoot. Appearing at the hearing was a direct heir of the legendary film and television canine, Rin Tin Tin, who served as a spokesdog for a National Organization (Arfkids, Inc.) which provides trained dogs to assist handicapped children. Rin Tin Tin, and his partners, Fearghas and Gustav demonstrated their talents to help the disabled live better lives.

Rin Tin Tin's heir (grandson) appeared before the Committee to lend a paw in support of H.R. 2792, authored by Congressman Jerry Moran (KS-1), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, which would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide trained service dogs to disabled veterans with severe mobility problems. The legislation also make improvements to VA healthcare delivery and established a number of new health care pilot programs to improve quality of care.

"BASTOGNE DAY" COMMEMORATED

Governor George E. Pataki announced on August 7th that he has signed into law legislation designating December 16 as the annual observance for "Bastogne Day" in commemoration of the historic "Battle of the Bulge" in which Allied forces rebuffed the German Army's last great counter offensive of World War II.

'Bastogne Day' each year will provide New Yorkers an opportunity to recall and reflect upon the extraordinary courage and sacrifices made by patriots willing to give their own lives to defend our cherished principles of freedom and democracy.

In a last ditch effort to turn the tide of the war, the German Army launched a surprise attack at Bastogne on the Western Front against American forces as dawn broke on December 16, 1944. A devastating battle ensued that would embroil one million men and continue for a month.

Outnumbered and outgunned and struggling with bad weather and bad terrain, American soldiers prevented the Germans from advancing through the Belgian Ardennes Forest to Antwerp, but at a terrible price. American forces suffered 81,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed, with another 1,400 casualties among British troops. One hundred thousand Germans were killed, wounded or captured before retreating.

The courage and fortitude of our troops at the Battle of the Bulge is exemplified in the response of Major General Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division, who simply responded 'nuts,' when asked to surrender his garrison, which was surrounded and under siege for six days.

George P. Basher, Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs said, "The Battle of the Bulge tested the spirit and determination of our military forces, who, despite tremendous odds and obstacles, successfully stood their ground and denied Hitler's last stand to break apart and defeat the Allied forces."

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