Desert Messenger July 15, 2015 Jul. 2015 | Page 2

2 www.DesertMessenger.com Veteran’s Health Committee formed A workshop was held by the Veterans’ Health Committee of La Paz Regional Hospital (LPRH) on June 23rd at the BlueWater Resort & Casino. The workshop included local community leaders and invited guests from veterans’ organizations and service agencies. The committee began in April of this year and is chaired by Maj. Phil Cushman, USMC (Ret.) of Quartzsite. He said the committee was convened to find out what can be done to improve health care for veterans in La Paz County. Cushman said he hopes that LPRH will soon be recognized by the Veterans Administration (VA) to serve local veterans. Quartzsite Council member, Robert “Gunny” St. Germain said there are at least 2,000 military veterans living in La Paz County. When you add the spouses and children the number could double. He said, “There are no services in Quartzsite or in the county for our veterans. We have to all pull together.” La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers announced the new Veterans Court would hold its first session Aug. 13 at Parker JP 6. He said the court would be a tool to get at the heart of the problems veterans face. Many attendees at the workshop felt the health care provided by the VA is excellent, while others expressed their problems come from dealing with the bureaucracy and the lack of facilities close to where veterans live. Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster said LPRH needed to be recognized by NOMINATION FORM Celebrate Quartzsite Volunteers! Town of Quartzsite Health & Development Board wishes to honor our year-round Quartzsite Volunteers! Nominate your favorite Year-Round Volunteer by JULY 31st. Voting forms will be in the August 12th Desert Messenger as well as online: www.QuartzsiteSurvey.com. Winners will be announced at the Labor Day Event at the Park, on Monday, Sept. 7th, and then honored at Quartzsite Council Meeting on Tues. Sept. 8th. Volunteer Name ________________________________________ Group (if applicable) _____________________________________ What does the person do? _________________________________ Why do you feel he/she should be honored? _____________________ ______________________________________________ }}}}}|)}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|)}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|)Y