LABRADOR: Not this voter either

I am writing in support of Robert Hunt’s assertion April 13 that Raul Labrador is unfit for governorship due to his disregard for veterans’ issues. I recently experienced this first hand.

I served in the military 21 years and was denied my rightfully earned educational benefits. I made numerous appeals to the VA and multiple congressmen, including Labrador, to recover my benefits for the last eight years. A couple of months ago I received a letter soliciting my vote from Mr. Labrador’s office where he vowed fighting for veterans and which I now view as a lie. I responded to his solicitation by asking for his assistance, again, in my appeal with the VA. The first response from his office was that they would not help. When I mentioned my asking for help due to his most recent letter (political solicitation) I had received, his tone changed; he said he would pursue.

I have received his answer: “I deeply regret that this matter could not be resolved in your favor.” He included all previous VA determinations from the last eight years. I already had this determination and that is why I was asking for help.

I do not believe Labrador personally intervened in my matter, but simply had his secretary retransmit all previous correspondence I created from the last eight years. From Mr. Hunt’s observations and my personal experience, it appears that Mr. Labrador’s lack of interest in VA issues has verifiable credence.

ESEQUIEL VASQUEZ

Post Falls