PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Fred Gasior, President of Vietnam Veterans of America Manhattan Chapter 126, on Veterans' Issues in New York City
1:56:27
·
7 min
Fred Gasior, a Vietnam combat veteran and president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Manhattan Chapter 126, delivers a passionate testimony criticizing the New York City Council's lack of support for veterans. He highlights the disparity between the resources allocated to migrants versus veterans, particularly in areas of housing, mental health, and suicide prevention.
- Gasior argues that the proposed legislative bills are insufficient, calling them "a drop in the bucket" and a "smokescreen" to cover up inadequate support for veterans.
- He presents two main issues: 1) Homeless veterans lacking shelter and basic necessities while migrants receive significant funding, and 2) The need for mental health treatment to address the high rate of veteran suicide.
- Gasior calls for increased funding and support for veteran organizations that provide crucial services and act as a "front line" for troubled veterans.
Fred Gasior
1:56:27
My voice is usually loud enough, but anyhow, microphone just make it louder.
1:56:31
Anyhow, ladies and gentlemen, city council members, distinguished veterans, representatives, and guests, my name is Fred Gassier.
1:56:39
I am a Vietnam veteran, a Vietnam combat veteran, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Manhattan chapter 126, also president of VVA 126 Foundation, New York City.
1:56:52
I have read the proposed legislative bills, and you have copies that are passed out.
1:56:57
And I make comments to each and every one of them, And you can read them at your particular leisure.
1:57:03
I applaud the actions taken by the city council and the committee on Veterans Affairs.
1:57:10
Great start and certainly a small step that might pacify a few veterans in the community, but not me.
1:57:19
This is but a drop in the bucket and a smokescreen by the city council to cover up lack of support for New York City veterans.
1:57:30
The actions and lack of support by this administration and this council towards the veterans community, I personally and many veterans, including some here at this moment, believe to be disgraceful and dishonorable.
1:57:46
New York City residents, men and women, have for decades answered the call of the country.
1:57:52
They signed up.
1:57:54
They volunteered.
1:57:55
Some were drafted.
1:57:56
They served.
1:57:57
They fought.
1:57:58
Some gave their last breath of life.
1:58:01
They received neither their country's glory nor their country or city's compassion.
1:58:08
This city of New York has forsaken and abandoned the American warriors, the veteran, those city residents who pay taxes, the citizens of this great city and country and has replaced them with the world migrants.
1:58:27
2 serious issues, 2 very serious issues face veterans in this city.
1:58:36
Issue number 1 is veterans that are homeless cannot find shelter, food, clothing.
1:58:47
But over a 175,000 League of Migrants, plus plus, have been welcomed to this city, factual.
1:58:58
It has been said that the city is spending close to $2,000,000,000 on shelter and housing, $2,000,000,000 on services, supplies, clothing, cell phone, entertainment, Visa cards, and city ID cards.
1:59:19
500,000,000 on food and medical cost.
1:59:23
500,000,000 just to administer these things.
1:59:26
As of today, December 18, 2024, the city of New York is approaching $5,000,000,000 in spending.
1:59:37
Perhaps and and it comes out to about $388 per migrant.
1:59:43
Now how do I wind this all together?
1:59:45
Well, now, chair Holden and council members, I'd like you to tell me about all the money and all the great and wonderful programs the city of New York has put into effect to help veterans and all the future money that they are planning to spend on veterans programs for shelter, for food, for housing, and the homeless.
2:00:12
But I also like to have you tell me is how much per day per day per veteran does the city of New York spend?
2:00:21
Do they spend $388 a day per veteran?
2:00:25
Do they spend 300?
2:00:26
Do they spend a 100?
2:00:28
Or is it more like 50ยข a day?
2:00:31
I think that probably is more appropriate.
2:00:34
The city council, I believe, should be ashamed, but I think not because I personally and many veterans believe that certain city council members, not all, some are excluded and I salute the ones in front of me.
2:00:51
Just don't give a damn about veterans.
2:00:55
Issue number 2, veterans that need mental health treatment to heal the wounds, the unseen wounds of war.
2:01:07
Veterans' mental health and the alleviation of veteran suicide is at an epidemic proportion.
2:01:17
Over 22 veterans per day per day kill themselves across this country.
2:01:23
And that's a fact and could be verified.
2:01:26
Okay.
2:01:27
Their pain, their mental anguish has overcome the rationality of reason.
2:01:36
But actions can be taken to help stop and alleviate veteran suicides.
2:01:41
I ask this, what is the city doing on mental health for veterans?
2:01:46
How much are they spending to support veterans groups that reach out and offer programs and treatment for their fellow veterans?
2:01:56
These veterans groups and organizations are the front line are the front line are are the safe haven for these troubled veterans that need help.
2:02:09
Why has the city council, whose members are of an are of an educated society, compassionate members of humanity, religious subscribers and tell me this, what have they done and why haven't they done more?
2:02:30
Veterans organizations in the city of New York like United War Veterans, Operation Warrior Shield, Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 126, and their foundation, and many, many more are the front line for these troubled veterans.
2:02:46
They provide the avenue and source for proven therapies and treatments.
2:02:53
Veterans of all decades, race, color, creeds, religious genders, they're welcome.
2:02:59
These frontline organizations need funding.
2:03:02
They need help from the city.
2:03:05
As our esteemed mayor has said many times, show me the money.
2:03:12
Yes, mister mayor.
2:03:13
The veterans community like to see the money.
2:03:17
Mister mayor, where is the money?
Robert Holden
2:03:19
Thank you so much for the testimony.
2:03:21
That's amazing.
2:03:21
I I can't agree disagree with anything you said.
Fred Gasior
2:03:24
Yeah.
Robert Holden
2:03:24
So, I we gotta move on.
2:03:26
We just, ran way over time on that one.
Fred Gasior
2:03:28
Very good.
2:03:29
Jerry, you can be the best of what I have
Robert Holden
2:03:31
to start.
2:03:31
Yeah.
2:03:32
I I think I have your testimony.
2:03:34
And if you could you give us a copy.
Fred Gasior
2:03:36
We have I've I've distributed copies.
Robert Holden
2:03:38
Okay.
2:03:38
Alright.
Fred Gasior
2:03:38
I thank you very much.
2:03:39
I appreciate what the council is doing.
Robert Holden
2:03:41
Thank you so much for telling the truth.
2:03:43
Thank you.
Fred Gasior
2:03:44
Thank you.
