HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-23 Public Comment - C. Barrios - Gallatin Valley Veterans Affairs Facility o�-as-M.�►o1
February 12 , 2023
Governor Greg Gianforte
The Capitol
Helena, Montana
USA 59620
Dear Governor ,
We are in desperate need of your help in
Gallatin County, Montana . As of September
2 , 2022 , the only Veteran Affairs qualified
facility in the Gallatin Valley was closed .
Those vets and others were moved to Butte ,
Ennis , Billings , Helena , and wherever else
a VA qualified facility was located in
Montana .
We need a place for our veterans in the
Gallatin County, now . Families are
desperate to have their soldier closer to
them so they can give them the love and
care they need from their family members .
While returning from the southeast this
summer to our home in Belgrade , Mt , m
g Y
husband had to be admitted to the VA
Hospital in Sheridan, Wy . It took 2 months
to find a place in Montana to bring him
home to . I drove the five and a half hours
each weekend to be with him and help care
for him . With the help of Senator Tester ,
he is now in a VA qualified skilled nursing
facility, Continental Care in Butte , Mt . He
has been there 6 months . I drive an hour
and through two mountain passes everyday ,
weather permitting , to be with him, give
him the reassuring love he needs , and help
with his care . This is an extreme hardship
for our family . He needs to come home to
our valley .
The Love of my life for 46 years , Colonel
James Victor Barrios , United States Marine
Corps , Retired, deserves to be close to his
home and family . He is a 100o disabled
veteran through the VA . This is a man who
earned a full Naval Scholarship to Tulane
University in New Orleans , La . , went to
flight training and proudly earned his
Naval officer wings . He proudly served his
country in Vietnam in combat against the
enemy . He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross while flying the A6 Intruder
on a night mission . He has earned many
other medals and awards too numerous to
list now . He returned home from battle and
continued his service flying the A4
aircraft in the US Marine Corps Reserves at
NAS Jacksonville , Fl . He served over a
total of 28 years of service to our beloved
country .
Upon his return from being out of country,
he used his GI Bill to attend the
University of Florida law school . He
practiced law for 16 years . He flew as a
commercial airline pilot for 17 years with
Eastern Airlines , Inc . This is one heck of
a man . He deserves to be in his hometown
where his family can help care for him and
give him the love he deserves on a daily
basis .
Since August 2022 , I have been trying to
assist the Gallatin Rest Home in Bozeman in
their effort to get VA qualified . The
process has been taking way too long .
Apparently, the staff member in charge of
the process moved to another position . We
are on hold?
Certainly, there is someone else in the VA
system who can pickup the dropped effort .
I am appealing to you to help us . You' ve
lived in Bozeman and I ' m sure you know we
have many veterans here . We are a patriotic
City/County . Please contact the VA on our
behalf and see if the process can be moved
along a little faster .
Hopefully, with your assistance , we can
have a VA qualified facility before spring .
Will you please help us ? I look forward to
your assistance in making this come true .
Sincerely,
Candy Barrios
920 Antelope Ridge Rd
Belgrade , Mt 59714
USA
406-580-0522
CC : Senator Tester
Senator Daines
Congressman Zinke
Congressman Rosendale
VA Montana Healthcare Executive
Director Judy Hayman
Gallatin Rest Home Administrator Darcel
Vaughn
Gallatin County Commissioners Jennifer
Boyer
Scott
MacFarlane
Zach
Brown
City of Bozeman Mayor Cyndy Andrus
City of Belgrade Mayor Russell Nelson