HARLINGEN -- The Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley was in Harlingen on Saturday registering veterans for their V.A. medical cards.
Without these cards, Valley veterans could end up paying for their own medical bills.
“In order for them to obtain these services they have to be enrolled in the V.A.,” said Arturo Garza, Co-Chair of the Veterans Alliance. “So the V.A. can cover their expenses. If they're not enrolled in the V.A. system, they will not qualify and they will have to pay out of their own pocket.”
In addition to registering veterans for their cards, volunteers from the Veteran’s Alliance and Cameron County Veterans Service office explained what kinds of services are available for veterans.
Before you enroll, each veteran must show proof of their time in the service with a DD 214 and then fill out a 1010 EZ form.
The more veterans that get registered with the V.A., the more Washington D.C. will see a need for a V.A. hospital here in the Valley.
“For the most part Washington has failed to realize that there is another world south of San Antonio,” said homer Gallegos, Chairman of the Veterans Alliance. “South Texas does not stop in San Antonio. And, we have an excess of 100,000 veterans in our counties here.”
Gallegos said that the number of veterans here in the Valley should be cause enough to bring a hospital.
The best way to do that said Gallegos, is to register.
By: Kevin Sanchez
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT