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Veterans Bob Ruffin, Fred Short and Robert Johnston talk about their experiences in the armed services. The three men were among a group of veterans who spoke in support of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry at a news conference Thursday at the state Capitol. (Photo by Wesley Brown) Bush budget cuts will hurt those who serve country in war, veterans say Friday, Jun 4, 2004 By Wesley Brown Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A group of angry veterans, including a North Little Rock man who served with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry during the Vietnam War, said Thursday that President Bush is not keeping his promises to men and women who serve the country in times of war. In particular, the group charged that a Bush administration plan to cut $910 million in vital health care services after the 2004 election will hurt thousands of veterans in Arkansas. "These cuts affect veterans' health care, their prescriptions, their doctors' visits - all the things that go along with keeping the nation's promise to those who fought in wars and defended the Constitution," said Navy veteran Fred Short, who served on a Vietnam combat swift boat with Kerry in 1969. Short was among five veterans at a Democratic Party-sponsored news conference held at the state Capitol on Thursday. The group also included state treasurer Gus Wingfield and Little Rock native Jack Ryan, a former West Point instructor who has a son stationed in Baghdad. Short said that recent media reports indicate that a Bush budget proposal for 2005-2006 will slash $9 million for veterans' programs in Arkansas, meaning that some of the state's nearly 270,000 war heroes could go without vital health services. "George Bush's plan would deny services to many of the soldiers now returning from the front lines," Short said. "John Kerry will not break the faith with U.S. veterans." Brandy Cox, spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign in Little Rock, said she could not comment on possible cuts to veteran programs in Arkansas. White House press officials did not return a call seeking comment. The Associated Press first reported about possible cuts to veterans programs last month, after obtaining a May 19 memo from the White House budget office. The report revealed information from the White House that said the Veterans Administration and other domestic agencies would face spending cuts after the presidential election - if Bush won. While Short admitted that his support of Kerry was partly because the Democratic presidential candidate "saved my life" in Vietnam, the other veterans said that Bush was not trustworthy. "The choices made today not only affect veterans, but also the future of our country - our children," said Bob Ruffin, a Pulaski County native who fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The news conference was held ahead of Kerry's expected announcement todaycq that he will push for mandatory funding for veterans health care. Kerry campaign officials said the Massachusetts senator is working to mobilize 1 million veterans nationwide in his efforts to win the White House in 2004. Robert Johnston, a Little Rock native who served in the Army from 1965 to 1969, said he will support Kerry because Bush "says one thing and does another." Johnston said the Bush administration's recent decision to require many active duty soldiers to stay beyond their current tour of duty if their units are ordered to Iraq or Afghanistan was another breach of trust by the current commander in chief. "It is time for a change in U.S. policy toward veterans and current military," Johnston said. Ryan, an Army veteran whose son is serving as a senior Army chaplain in Baghdad, said the president is doing more for some Iraqis than he is for some U.S. veterans. "My son is in a position where he may or may not come back home," said Ryan, who communicates with his son, Col. James Ryan, by e-mail each day. "When he comes home, he should have the health care he needs to take care of him if something happens." |
