Kalispell man coordinates D.C. veterans march
Stephen Combes of Kalispell is serving as local coordinator as well as a speaker for a veterans march April 25 and 26 in Washington, D.C.
A disabled veteran, Combes has made a name for himself through his successful lobbying efforts with the Montana Legislature. He plans to share his experiences while lending support for a laundry list of changes in funding for veterans benefits.
"We're trying to have a very peaceful demonstration of veterans," Combes said.
In preparation, the group has ordered 4,000 seats. The area in Washington, D.C., holds up to 10,000 people.
According to organizers, the rally is neither pro-war nor anti-war. Marchers want to insure the government honors promises made to military personnel and former military members.
Combes said people who want to participate can go to the D.C. event or a Montana event from 9 a.m. to noon April 25 on the steps of the State Capitol in Helena. They should contact Combes for more specifics at 257-9798.
The Web site, www.vetmarch2006.com, lists Combes as a speaker for the event known as "Operation Firing for Effect." It is described as a grass-roots effort to draw attention to serious problems faced by former military people and their families.
The objectives of the event include:
-Send a message to Congress demanding that veterans issues take priority over special-interest issues.
-Show their support to deployed troops and fight to protect their earned benefits and services.
-Help enlistments.
Combes said he got involved about six months in the organizing effort for the march. He has extensive experience working with veterans issues as a service officer and as a life member of Disabled American Veterans.
Combes, 63, served in the Navy in the Vietnam War era. His lead item for change from Congress is full mandatory funding for the Veterans Administration health care, as opposed to the current discretionary funding.
Other concerns include recognition and compensation for victims of Agent Orange, post-traumatic stress syndrome and undiagnosed illnesses of Gulf War veterans.
He and others involved want the government to provide more time for veterans with doctors and adequate phone coverage at clinics such as the one in Kalispell.
Combes invites people interested in these and other issues to attend a showing of a video by Gulf War veterans scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. March 29 at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.