Operation Open Arms: taking on the VA's work

Operation Open Arms: taking on the VA's work?
By Maggie Crane, WINK News

Story Created: Sep 28, 2009 at 6:08 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 28, 2009 at 6:27 PM EDT

Southwest Fla - Its job is to help veterans get the medical care they need, but a local non-profit says the VA is passing its work onto volunteers.

Since March Operation Open Arms has branched out from providing free vacations to veterans to something much more important -- getting free care for soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Founder John Bunch says word is spreading so fast that now the VA is calling on him for help.

His boat is his second home. Former Marine John Bunch often uses it to treat soldiers to a little R&R, but the captain soon noticed a new battle brewing back home: soldiers fighting PTSD and not getting the help they need. So Bunch rallied his own troops.

"There's no co-pay, there's no deductible, and we have 21 licensed, mental health pros that do this pro-bono," Bunch says.

Bunch says the goal was to offer an alternative for soldiers; not take over for the VA. He says a recent voice message on his machine is cause for concern.

"We were given your numbers through the VA Outpatient Clinic and were wondering if you could give us a call back," the caller says.
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