Veterans frustrated with Congressional lawmakers

On Saturday, veterans gathered with state representatives in Brunswick to discuss some of the issues service men and women face. Their frustration with national leaders is increasing and they’re calling for action.

“Some of them didn’t come back. They made the supreme sacrifice so that we could be free and what are they doing in Washington, nothing,” said William “Chick” Ciciotte with the MidCoast Veterans Council.

Ciciotte is reaching out to Maine legislators for help. He’s asking state representatives to draft a resolution and send it to elected officials in Washington, D.C. requesting them to move faster regarding veterans issues. Ciciotte said, “They’ll say yeah you guys go over there, you guys get shot,  you guys get killed. Don’t worry about your family.”

Friday night the senate passed the national defense spending bill which includes the Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2014. The bill passed despite a threat from Oklahoma Republican Senator Tom Coburn to block it.

Jared Golden is the Democratic State Representative for Lewiston District 60. He’s also a veteran who is saying he understands why people aren’t optimistic lately. “It’s frustrating to people. I mean government moves slow,” said Golden.

Sgt. Matthew Jabaut is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant who served in Iraq. He said, “If you can’t get behind stopping veterans from committing suicide I don’t know what legislation you can get behind.”

There’s tension at the local level as well. Some Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans feel there’s a gap in communication along with a lack of understanding when it comes to their generation.

There was a verbal exchange during Saturday’s meeting in Brunswick between veterans and the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services Director, Peter Ogden.

“The messaging probably needs to change and how you approach and communicate with us needs to change because we’re going to give you the real time feedback that says this is how we are hearing you,” said Jabaut.

Ogden later said, “That is our challenge is reaching the veterans in an area where they’re at and understanding who they are, what they need, and what we can do to help them.”

Saturday’s discussion also focused on problems such as PTSD and veteran homelessness.