Dem candidate tells Struthers vets Ohio needs to prioritize their needs

STRUTHERS

State and federal elected officials need to make spending money to help veterans a priority, said state Rep. Connie Pillich, who hosted a veterans roundtable discussion at AMVETS Post 44, 305 Elm St.

Responding to reports of delays in medical service by the Veterans Affairs Department, Pillich, an eight-year Air Force veteran, served during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, achieving the rank of captain, said Friday that veterans should have access to care when they need it.

Pillich of Cincinnati, D-28th, ranking minority member of the state Legislature’s Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, said she has introduced and supported several bills that would help veterans and their families.

Her House Bill 166 would connect Ohio veterans to the Department of Veterans Services through income-tax returns.

Jan Brown, commander of AMVETS Post 44, urged Pillich to seek funding of service officers for VA medical centers to help guide veterans to their services and benefits.

“Ohio has a budget surplus. We could fund a lot of things. It’s a matter of priorities,” said Pillich, who is the Democratic Party candidate for state treasurer.

Another veteran asked why military personnel are not always returned to the jobs they left when they were deployed.

Read the complete story in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.