Off and Running

Emails are flying, phones are ringing and meetings are being held. The town of Hot Springs and the surrounding areas of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Nebraska are up in arms. We are determined to go up against Washington to persuade them not to close our wonderful VA hospital and Domiciliary.

The veterans of this country have given their best years to protect our freedoms and they deserve to keep what they have. They do not want to be sent to regular hospitals, even if closer to their homes. They want, and have earned the right to be treated in comfortable surroundings, staffed by medical people who understand the needs of veterans.

Many suffer physical injuries along with PTSD, both of which may require lifetime treatment. They are asking to have their medical needs provided in the manner in which they can survive, and perhaps, even thrive, in a peacetime environment.

We know of too many stories of returning veterans who have not received the help they needed to adjust to civilian life. They have lost their jobs, families, and even their lives. What a sad statement on the lack of adequate or timely care that our country has provided for them. We ask them to serve, but are gradually taking away our service to them.

Many of our veterans have difficulty expressing their needs to others, especially in a group setting. We, as a community, are helping these veterans to find a voice in Washington. The veterans who can express themselves are fighting another battle. They fought in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, Iraq or Afghanistan. Now they are fighting the heads of the veterans administration to keep what this country should be able to afford for these men and women who have returned with scars, mental and/or physical, that can last a lifetime.

Our veterans in this area are asking that they can still be treated at the VA hospital in Hot Springs. They know that it is the finest program in the United States for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment for PTSD. The government owns the land in which they can build new facilities with less expense than building at a new location in Rapid City. The veterans appreciate the tranquility of this small community, located in the beautiful setting of the Southern Black Hills. Hot Springs has always been known at the Veteran's Town, the town that accepts and cares for veterans. Veterans come first with us. They, and we, are family.