On Friday, the American Legion of St. Croix welcomed National Commander James A. LaCoursiere Jr. with a tour of the St. Croix Veteran Affairs Office and a meeting with other veterans.
“We are vastly invested in finding out what we can do for the veterans and the military families here on the island,” said LaCoursiere.
“My big concern is what we can do to help because there is such a large disconnect between the continental U.S. and the U.S. Territories,” he said.
During his visit, LaCoursiere toured the Veterans Affairs Clinic and met with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Veronica L. Linares. One of the concerns discussed was that only one physician was responsible for seeing 800 veterans.
Another issue raised by Commander Ramon Padilla was the veterans’ pharmacy. “The national commander’s visit was important because we need to check with the service being provided to the veterans if it’s adequate and right now, we have some issues,” he added.
LaCoursiere also met with veterans, listening to their concerns and considering their needs.
“We are trying to put all the pieces together to take some of the barriers down and try to communicate with Congress on what we really need for the U.S. Territories. As far as making sure that they have all the medical resources available to them, proper care and the same benefits we have on the continental U.S.,” he said.
LaCoursiere, who oversees 1.6 million veterans nationally, said that he has been meeting with other territories that have been experiencing similar issues.
LaCoursiere said he tries to visit all the states and territories where there are American Legion posts and military troops. “My primary focus this year is the quality of life for our veterans and their families,” he said.
“Our number one mission, ‘Be the One,’ that he also wears as a pin and gives to others in remembrance of this message,” he continued. “We are trying to reduce the veteran suicide rate. We can do that with true compassion at heart, but also trying to take away the anguish and mental roadblocks,” he said.
Some of those issues include unhoused veterans, lack of education, food insecurity, restricted child care and more.
American Legion District Commander Secondino Roman-Cruz said that the national commander’s visit is very important for the Virgin Islands because they are speaking directly to the person who takes veterans’ needs to Washington.
“There is where we will get the aid that we need,” said Roman-Cruz.
“By having him here and meeting with the medical staff that treats the veterans and the veterans themselves he has a better knowledge on how he can present the needs that we have. We are not treated like the veterans in the mainland. There is a difference. We are fighting and will continue to fight so that we can receive the same benefits that the veterans in the mainland receive because we all serve together,” he said.
In the process of getting the attention of Congress, there is strength in the number of veterans enrolled in Veterans Affairs Healthcare, and LaCoursiere encourages veterans to register online. “If your reportable numbers of veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare are low, but you have a lot of veterans, they are only looking at who is enrolled,” said LaCoursiere.
Padilla said this is an effort that they will be working on. “Some of the veterans that are unaccounted for. There are so many Veterans that are entitled to apply, and we cannot find them.” To connect with these veterans, plans are in place to host a series of health fairs.
“We have the same mental issues that the veterans in the States have, and we do not get the same service. We keep fighting and by the national commander coming here he gets up front information,” said Roman-Cruz.
Every year a new national commander is voted in and with previous commanders there has been progression, said Roman-Cruz. For instance, a transport plane for veterans is available to take them to Puerto Rico and return the same day, if not veterans are housed overnight. They are also provided with a certain amount of money for travel expenses.
Roman-Cruz also acknowledged the efforts of the director of the V.I. Veterans Affairs Office, Patrick Farrell, who he said has been “a very good asset to the veterans.”
To register as a veteran with the Veterans Affairs Office on St. Croix, call 340-773-8387 or email info_va@va.vi.gov.
