Willie Nelson Supports Full Funding for Veterans Healthcare

Willie Nelson Supports Full Funding for Veterans Healthcare

Willie Nelson Records Public Service Announcement for Veterans and VA Healthcare and Benefits

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Operation Firing for Effect (OFFE) and Willie Nelson have recorded a public service announcement in support of U.S. Veterans. OFFE2008.org has a long standing relationship with Willie.

During a recent Willie Nelson Concert in Finger Lake, New York, Operation Firing For Effect’s National Chairman, Gene Simes managed to get a personal package delivered to Willie Nelson after the concert. The package contained OFFE’s resolution for full mandatory funding of veteran’s healthcare, and OFFE T-shirt that says; ‘Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You, Ask What Is Your Country Not Doing For Your Veterans?’

Gene received the following message on his voice mail; “Gene, this is Willie, call me.”

Gene made that call, and discovered Mr. Willie Nelson was very interested in the full mandatory funding for veteran’s healthcare issue he had read about in Gene’s package. Willie wanted to know how he could help Operation Firing For Effect and help insure our veterans receive the best healthcare we can give them. Before the phone conversation had concluded, Willie agreed to do a live interview during Tuesday night’s VFVC Live radio program on Stardust Radio. Willie was in the midst of a scheduled concert in New Jersey with Merle Haggard and Ray Price, and told Gene he would be available at 11:15 PM.

At precisely 11:15 PM Willie (also a US Air Force Veteran) answered his cell phone and for the next 20 minutes he commented with much concern on the welfare of our deployed troops and the healthcare needs of our veterans. Several times during the interview Willie stated he was in 100% support of Operation Firing For Effect and full mandatory funding for veteran’s healthcare. Mr. Nelson also promoted reusable energy as a way to cut dependence of foreign sources. Willie pointed out, if we were self sufficient with renewable energy resources right here within the United States, we wouldn’t be losing American lives overseas protecting another country’s oil resources. The interview concluded with Willie pledging his full support for full mandatory funding of veteran’s healthcare, and a promise to help OFFE in the future.

Willie Nelson is the latest celebrity to join OFFE’s Crusade for full mandatory funding of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs healthcare system and services. In September of last year OFFE sponsored a veteran’s rally in Newark New Jersey. Well-known celebrity Bill Cosby (US Navy Veteran) addressed a group of several hundred veterans and family members. Mr. Cosby voiced his support for full mandated funding for VA healthcare in a very heart-felt speech.

WWW.OFFE2008.ORG
RESOLUTION
Mandatory Funding for Veterans’ Healthcare Services
(Including Dental and Mental Health)
Sponsored by
Willie Nelson

Whereas, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) mission and motto is, “to care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan”; and Whereas, President George Washington stated, “The willingness with which our
young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportionate to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country”; and Whereas, whenever the United States military has ever been called upon to send forces into harms way, including sons and daughters of our great County of
_______________, in the State of ___Texas___________ , they have proudly answered the call; and

Whereas, we, as citizens of the United States of America, have promised our troops through recruiters and recruiting brochures comprehensive quality accessible healthcare for those eligible veterans honorably discharged from The United States military past, present and future; and Whereas, the legislative bodies of our government at all levels have recognized the importance of supporting those who serve our great country, legislation itself has fallen short of meeting the healthcare needs of our veterans. The current discretionary funding mechanisms for veterans healthcare is beset by numerous flaws preventing many veterans from receiving the quality healthcare they earned and deserve; and Whereas, on March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted down mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have insured mandatory funding for our veterans’ healthcare needs (YEA 46 / NAY 54); and

Whereas, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2005 highlighted the lack of resources experienced by the Veterans Administration and its understaffed workforce as they attempt to process an increasing backlog of our veterans claims; and Whereas, former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has publicly stated the Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to provide promised healthcare services to the rapidly rising number of veterans requiring healthcare services; Therefore be it resolved, as proud citizens of this great nation we fully support
mandated full funding for veterans’ healthcare services; and Therefore be it further resolved, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate move to ensure that these healthcare obligations to our veterans be recognized and legislation be introduced and passed for signing by the President of the United States of America to guarantee full mandatory funding of veterans’ healthcare services; and

• OFFE Web Site: www.offe.org
• OFFE Public Relations Director Jere Beery Email: jerebeery@aol.com
• Willie Nelson Web Site: www.willienelson.com

 

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