CAPE MAN GETS WHITE HOUSE WISHES

A Cape Girardeau man is scheduled to receive a call from the White House Friday morning wishing him a happy Veterans Day.

Al Zahner, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, could receive a call from the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Bill Clinton. But Clinton is one of a handful of high-ranking officials telephoning veterans Friday.

Zahner, 64, of 2744 Hopper was notified earlier this week that the call would most likely be made by the deputy secretary of veterans affairs, Herschel Golber -- but that isn't definite.

"I was surprised and thrilled when I found out about a week ago," he said.

Zahner has been hospitalized at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff for variety of illnesses. He was interviewed a couple of weeks ago by hospital staff to see if he was a willing candidate to receive the phone call.

Hospital spokesman Dewayne Coleman said Zahner's call has dual purposes. Not only will the official wish him a happy Veterans Day, but Coleman said the official also will inaugurate the new telephone system that allows each patient room to be equipped with a phone. Before this system, patient calls were taken at the nurses' station on each floor, he said.

Zahner's wife for almost 19 years, Judith, said her husband deserved this honor because he has been a great patriot. Not only did Zahner serve in the U.S. Air Force between 1950-53, but she said her husband makes sure the stars and stripes flies each day outside their home.

Judith Zahner said she, her sister-in-law and grandson will be at her husband's bedside Friday when he receives the call.

Zahner plans a plug for more funding of VA hospitals.

"I'm hoping we can get together and see eye to eye on something for the hospital," he said of his caller. "I'd just like to say that they really need more funding for the staff and for supplies here."

The White House is expected to call Zahner between 9-10 a.m. Friday.

And Coleman said if Deputy Secretary Golber does telephone Friday, it won't be the first time he has had contact with the Poplar Bluff hospital. He said Golber toured the facility a few years ago when he was head of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.