Funding for veterans homes

Since the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau opened its doors in 1990, it has been home to 1,344 veterans. This 150-bed facility provides superior long-term skilled nursing care for our aging and disabled American heroes in a homelike atmosphere. It also provides significant economic impact with a payroll of over $5 million.

In recent months there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the stability of funding for this and the other six veterans homes in Missouri. We, the members of the Veterans Home Foundation Board, feel compelled to step forward to rally support to ensure that the homes are fully funded now and far into the future and eliminate even the slightest possibility that the doors may someday have to close.

We commend the Missouri Veterans Commission for taking a proactive approach. Rather than waiting until there is no money to meet payroll or pay the utility bill at the end of the month, the commission is looking ahead.

We urge our state legislators to go on record as voting to restore general revenue cuts and/or securing a dedicated funding source for the Homes Program and the Missouri Veterans Commission. We further ask that they do nothing to impede in any way the passing of legislation that would avert this disaster.

Our veterans were willing to fight for our freedom. We feel they deserve to have the assurance that quality care will be available if it is needed.

BILL ADAMS, president, Cape Girardeau Veterans Home Foundation, Cape Girardeau