Veterans group challenges Alaska's care of guardsmen

Since the 911 attacks, Alaska has felt the strains of its overseas deployments with the Alaskans who commit their time and service in protecting our country. But as Alaska National Guard men and women return, questions have arisen as to whether these patriots are being given the proper care when they return.

A new report suggest that care for returning troops has been minimal, which begs the question, are Alaskans forgetting their veterans?

According to a report produced by the Veterans For America, it focuses on what they call a lack of access to health care for those men and women who have limited access to veteran benefits in the rural areas. After a weeklong trip to Alaska in September, Veterans For America says returning

guardsmen needs are going unmet.

"Its honorable to serve in the Alaska National Guard, its dishonorable not to provide them with the services, sufficient to their sacrifices, once they come home from deployment," said Jason Forrester, the Director of Policy for Veterans For America.

According to the group, veterans from rural areas have been hit the hardest.

"When these members come home, they go back to their communities, which are far removed from the bulk of the services that are available to them," said Forrester.

According to the report, one quarter of guardsmen living in rural areas and getting help with post deployment health and mental issues can be expensive and nearly impossible to obtain.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs calls the report's conclusion unsubstantiated. Officials say they work very hard to ensure the guardsmen and their families receive the highest level of care possible.

"There are things we can improve on, there are always things the military can improve on, I am not saying we are a perfect organization, I am not saying we couldn't use some help," said Lt. General Craig Campbell.

According to some lawmakers, the state and its leaders need to also step up and

address the problems.

"Beefing up things like the community health systems in some of these rural areas is going to be a good start ensuring that soldiers know how to identify the type of benefits they get," said Representative Scott Kawasaki, a Democrat from Fairbanks.

Campbell says he believes the state and the guard is making strides in its programs to help their fellow Alaskan soldiers.

"I don't think we do enough for our veterans, when they return we need to do all we can when they come home, we are committed to that, we are not perfect, but I think we are serving our soldiers well and will be doing more in the future," said Campbell.

The preliminary findings by Veterans For America specifically focuses on the Alaska Army National Guard. The final report is due out Tuesday and will discus the status of the Alaska National Guard and its veterans.

Both the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Veterans For America say they will continue to work to ensure members of the Alaska National Guard receive the support they need.

To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.