Politicians Rallied For The Veteran’s Hospitals
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis showed up at the Veteran’s Hospital backed by a spirited group of of veterans and residents from both Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Photo from Malliotakis’ video below.
Malliotakis said that she wants to make sure that veterans, who have fought overseas should not have to fight to keep this hospital open.
The VA hospitals in Bay Ridge and Manhattan are on the chopping block. Malliotakis wants President Joe Biden to mark this topic DOA and keep the two hospitals open for the Veterans.
Bay Ridge Assemblyman, Michael Tannousis said that is is a disgrace how we are treating Veterans. He said that he will stand with the veterans and fight with them to the end.
Even Marty Golden showed up and gave a strong speech for keeping the hospital open. Golden referred to the current status of America and how we many be heading into war and this is no time to close a Veteran’s hospital.
Finally, the veterans spoke on how important and necessary this hospital was to them.
Photo by Tom Hilton – see more here
Most touching was the speech by Eugene Petit, a Vietnam Veteran from Staten Island. Petit spoke about the love the military had for each other.
Photo by Tom Hilton – see more here
Petit said that when he and other soldiers came home, they lost the love (People at the rally yelled out, “Welcome home.” Remember these soldiers were never welcomed home by America.) Petit said that when he went to the VA hospital, he felt that love for Veterans again.
Lee Covino, another Veteran spoke and said that the same thing happened in 2005. This is the second time this hospital has been brought up for closure. He questioned: “Why is this proposal back?” Lee thought the waterfront property that the hospital sits on was the reason that this topic came up again.
Danny Friedman, President of the Brooklyn Veterans of Vietnam War agreed with Lee – this is a land grab for developers. Friedman said Vietnam Veterans will stand with all veterans. Younger members of the military will need this hospital one day too.
The rally continued with veterans sharing why this hospital is needed in Brooklyn.
Mickey Wedlock, a Veteran from Bay Ridge said this VA Hospital saved his life seven years ago! Wedlock said that Northport Long Island VA will remain open, but there is no transportation to that facility. He also said, the Bronx VA is good, but it is an hour and a half away from Brooklyn.
It’s awful that they want to make veterans travel to other boroughs or even out of state to get medical care. This is their hospital!
The rally ended with the group chanting., “DOA” (for the idea of closing the hospital to be DOA) and the Congresswoman said, “Under no circumstances can this Veteran’s Hospital close.”
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Hugs,
marlene
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