Congressional candidate Jim Steiner reacts to the comments by Sec. Peake

  STEINER FOR CONGRESSP.O. BOX 2008CONCORD, NH  03302www.joinjim2008.comFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Congressional candidate Jim Steiner reacts to the comments by Sec. Peake, Dept. of Veterans Affairs on his visit to Manchester and needs for Veterans:"Let there be no doubt that when the current Secretary of Veterans Affairs concludes that upgrading the VA to a hospital, or providing local medical facility access to vets, is not what is needed in New Hampshire HE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ME OR THE SOLDIERS WITH WHOM I SERVED.  As the only veteran seeking the 2nd Congressional District seat, from either party, I am disappointed that Sec. Peake fails to be able to see the true needs our veterans deserve.  The Secretary's conclusions remind me sadly of a poem I have been reciting annually at my local elementary school as a guest at the Memorial Day program** (even though my own children are 8 years removed from the school - but I have promised to continue this appearance even as a member of Congress next year):God and the old soldier all people adoreIn time of war, but not beforeAnd when war is over and all things rightedGod is forgotten and the old soldier slighted.(anonymous poem found in a guard shack in Germany)**We then discuss the need to respect and say thank you to our soldiers as part of the program so soldiers are not slighted.NOT ON MY WATCH!!  As the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress, it is my express intent to make sure all members of Congress hear me loudly and clearly as to the need in N.H. for better veterans health care services and for national care for veterans, to include the use of ID cards to procure local quality health care the VA is unable to provide locally.  Why, because the 10% of our population that makes up our veterans is deserving of this "thank you" for the sacrifices they have made."Jim Steinerjim@joinjim2008.com