Monterey, CA Veterans Update on Government Shutdown, Disability And Local Cemetery

View From A Nonprofit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

Veterans are having a number of problems with the government shutdown.  Although checks are still going out, veterans centers have been shut down and it's likely that the backlog of disability claims, which is already horrendous, will continue to get longer.  Another issue is that although the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs just approved a $6.7 million grant for the construction of a veterans cemetery on the old Fort Ord Base, it's not enough.  Backers of the cemetery still have to raise a whopping $2.6 million.  The state of California only has until October 15 to tell the Department of Veteran Affairs whether it will accept the funds.  If backers of the cemetery don't come up with the shortfall within two weeks, the grant will likely fall through.  That's a lot of money to raise in this current environment.  The backers are hoping Governor Brown will chip in $1 million and Jimmy Panetta, on the foundation board trying to raise the money, said he has another potential source for roughly $1 million.  Let's hope this non-profit can get the money together quickly.  I would hate to see this long and drawn out process have to go back to the drawing board.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.