U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) visited four Arizona counties

With so many in congress getting an ear full of suffering veterans and PTSD, you'd think they would have found out what has to be done by now. At least Kirkpatrick is listening.

Kirkpatrick makes several stops in Rim Country
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 13:13
By Carolyn Wall
Gazette Correspondent
And Pat Rollins
Gazette Columnist


U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) visited four Arizona counties on her nine-day “Get Arizona Back on Track” tour earlier this month and included several venues in Payson Thursday, April 16.

Kirkpatrick arrived late at The Rim Club because of a traffic accident on the Beeline. In the interim, Payson Mayor Kenny Evans praised the first term Representative, especially for her accessibility.

He said they have exchanged 54 emails and some phone calls in the short time she has been in office.

Evans was also asked about the stimulus money and how quickly it would be coming into our area. He indicated projects would probably be starting around late May.

Gila County Supervisor Tommie Cline Martin said the county will be looking at three stimulus projects, a green library in Pine, CBG grants for weatherization, and septic systems clean-up.

Evans said he is trying to keep it quiet and low key, but Arizona State University is seriously considering Payson for an outreach campus. The campus could be open on a limited basis by 2010.

When Kirkpatrick arrived, she explained the committees she serves on, including the Small Business Committee, which is pouring more money into the Small Business Administration for additional loans.

She also serves on the Homeland Security Committee and talked about the great need for intelligent immigration reform. She is also on the Veteran Affairs Committee.

Her next stop was at the American Legion Hall where she had an informal discussion with military veterans and their family members.

The subject then turned to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which many veterans coming out of the service don’t even know they have.

Kirkpatrick commended Misti Isley DeCaire of Veterans Helping Veterans, who has taken veterans into her home since 1993, providing shelter, transportation for medical appointments and other necessities without any official status or sanction from the Veterans’ Administration.

DeCaire, in her 80’s, a 22-year veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, said, “When you’ve been there, done that …”. Her voice trailed off, but those sitting at the table knew that all the veterans in the area know to go to her.

“Thank you for your shelter,” Kirkpatrick said.

Jim Muhr, a Vietnam vet, said that he goes for counseling for PTSD every two weeks.

“We have Iraqui vets and they say Vietnam vets are helping them. We understand where they’re coming from.”

Linda Muhr, his wife, talked about other casualties of the war – the wives and families.

“We have secondary PTSD as wives,” she said. “We’re kind of forgotten. PTSD can never be cured, but it can be treated.”

Muhr and three other women in Payson started a support group for wives of veterans a year ago. There are now eight in the group.

“The wife doesn’t get any counseling for any of this,” Muhr said.

Wives and children of veterans are, however, entitled to be treated at a veterans’ hospital, according to DeCaire.

Kirkpatrick said there will be 65,000 returning veterans from Iraq in the next two years.

“We’ve got an opportunity to do something right,” she said.

The PTSD Women’s and Family Support Group of Payson meets Mondays at 6 p.m. at St. Paul Church on Easy Street. For information, contact Linda Muhr at (928) 474-4530.
Kirkpatrick makes several stops in Rim Country