Veterans waiting for county help

Business Gazette - Gaithersburg,MD,USA
Veterans waiting for county help
Council promised to address services for former military personnel two years ago
by Daniel Valentine Gazette Staff Writer

When Rich Beckwell of Bowie needs to make calls on behalf of a fellow veteran for health care, pensions or other concerns, he uses a hands-free telephone.

While waiting on hold, it's best to be able to walk around and do other things, Beckwell, 58, has learned.

"I have to call the same numbers as everybody else," said Beckwell, a member of American Legion Post 66. "Problem is, I'm dealing with a bureaucracy that doesn't have lots of people."

The difficulties encountered by veterans sparked the Prince George's County government to get involved, but the effort has stalled. County Council members passed legislation in 2006 calling for a new task force of veterans' groups to unite and recommend ways in which the county could better serve the population. Two-and-a-half years later, no one has been appointed to the group, though officials say they may make progress this fall.

According to the most recent survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, Prince George's had 72,000 veterans in 2006, more than any other jurisdiction in the state.

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