Lawmakers request federal action for regional Veterans Affairs Office

The establishment of a regional veterans affairs office, long overdue, was discussed on session floor today. Senators united in support of Resolution 472, which would help to move the process forward.

With the closest regional veterans affairs office located across the Pacific in Hawaii, gaining access to aid and resources for veterans of Micronesia is a struggle. And Resolution 472 requests the US Department of Veterans Affairs establish a regional office on Guam to provide just that.

Senator Telo Taitague discussed the importance on session floor, saying, “One would think that with today’s instant communications, distance is not a factor in securing services, but it is and our veterans suffer because of it.”

Senator Chris Barnett brought attention to the community's overall frustration caused by a lack of resources. “It is so true that when they need us, we’re very fast to assist Uncle Sam, but when our people need Uncle Sam," he stated. "I’ll let you fill in the rest.”

A regional VA office on Guam would also ease the financial burden on veterans and their families of having to travel to Hawaii or elsewhere

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Senators stood in staunch support of the resolution, including Senator Dwayne San Nicolas, himself a veteran.  “Having a regional office on Guam would be a wonderful, wonderful thing given our devotion and patriotism to this country," he shared.

Terlaje added, “It’s beyond deserved. It’s an obligation that should be fulfilled," with Senator Sabina Perez saying, "You know, Guam has had one of the highest percentages of those that enlist in the military. So it's really an injustice that we're not getting the care that our service members need."

With unanimous support, Resolution 472 was moved into the voting file.

Senators will be back in session on Friday at 2pm.