In 2010, I was awarded an 80% disability rating from the Veterans Administration related to injuries sustained in Vietnam in 1970. In July of this year, I traveled to Anchorage for back surgery related to those injuries. I drove rather than chance flying because of the ongoing pandemic. When I applied for reimbursement for my travel, I was informed by the VA that travel through a foreign country was not reimbursable. I contacted Sen. Sullivan’s office and filed an inquiry.
Yesterday, I got a response, on official letterhead from the senator. He said the case was being closed, there was no changing the regulation and there would be no further action. This ridiculous regulation only affects Alaska veterans traveling through Canada to receive services in another part of the state not available in Southeast. The senator is a veteran who works for us, and to say there is nothing more that he can do? He’s being lazy, and I hope you all remember that in six years.
— Gregory Goodman
Haines
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