The decision on the fate of the hospital that has become an economic mainstay of the community and serves a veteran population of about 16,000 “weighs heavily on me,” said Anthony Principi, whose planned half-day tour of the 172-acre campus was compressed to about an hour because of weather and travel constraints.

Principi said he will ultimately accept the recommendations of the 15-member federal Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Commission regarding the closure or consolidation of services at Canandaigua and other VA medical centers around the nation.

Last month, four members of the CARES Commission held a full day of hearings in Canandaigua and sharply questioned a recommendation by senior VA officials in Washington and Albany that would close the Canandaigua campus.

Richard Larson, executive director of the commission, said recently that more than 101,000 of the total 175,000 letters written to the commission by veterans and others commenting on the nationwide CARES proposal are from people opposed to closing the Canandaigua hospital.

Scores of people were streaming into the Fort Hill Avenue complex at about 10 a.m., but their numbers and demeanor contrasted sharply with the thousands of sign-waving, boisterous supporters who descended on the grounds a month ago.

Still, those fighting to keep the 70-year-old facility open say it is just as important to make their case during today's visit by Principi as it was on Oct. 20, when members of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission heard testimony at the VA.

Victor Palumbo, a tank corps commander in Germany during World War II, called his brother-in-law, Ray Vecchi, to ask that he be brought to the VA today to show his support. Vecchi, who served in England during World War II as a medic, didn't need much prompting, even though he had to forego his traditional first day of deer hunting.

"Those old deer will be there tomorrow," Vecchi said as he stood behind Palumbo's wheelchair. "This was much more important."

For Vietnam veteran Mike Doran, saving the VA is both personal and practical.

"My life was saved here," said Doran, 60, a resident and former mayor of Naples. He said he's concerned that there's enough of a show of support today so Principi can see the need for the hospital.

"I want to make sure this place stays open," Doran said. "Not only for the veterans here, but for the guys and gals who might need a place when they come back."

Karen Kelly, a 26-year-old Rochester resident, also had those serving overseas on her mind today.

"My friends are over there in Iraq right now," said Kelly, whose father received care at the Canandaigua VA. "If they close this down, there will be no place to go."

Whether the Canandaigua VA closes is up to Principi, who is making his first visit to the facility today. The VA secretary will hear recommendations from the CARES commission regarding the $4.6 billion realignment of VA health services nationwide, which would cause seven VA hospitals to close, including Canandaigua's. He must accept or reject the plan in total.

Accompanying the VA secretary will be Monica Kelson, Principi's special assistant; Rep. Amo Houghton, R-Corning; Tamera Luzzatto, chief of staff for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.; and Houghton's Legislative Director Bob VanWicklin.

The visit was running late due to the weather — and may be shorter than planned. The contingent was to land at the Canandaigua Airport this morning, but with dense fog blanketing the area, Dan Ryan, spokesman for the Canandaigua VA, got word early that the plane was to land at the Greater Rochester International Airport.

Ryan expected Principi and legislative leaders to arrive at the VA about 10:30 a.m. A meeting with senior VFW leadership was to take place, followed by a tour of the VA about noon.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D.-N.Y., was to arrive separately to take part in the meetings and tour with Principi.

A rally and meeting of the Veterans Advisory Committee was to start in a pavilion behind Building 5 of the VA about 10 a.m.

At the Oct. 20 CARES commission hearing in Canandaigua, William F. Feeley, director of the VA Healthcare Network/Upstate New York, acknowledged that closing the Canandaigua VA would not create $20 million in annual savings as originally thought. After questioning by the CARES commission, Feeley amended the savings to be closer to $8 million to $10 million.

However it's contents can serve as a roadplan to help other organizations plan it's attack should the need ever arise. So with that in mind I am creating an archive which will house the news that while it may be interesting to review, isn't really pertinent to todays web reader.

It keeps your abreast of all the union news by email so your ready to jump into action.

From the moment we drove down Fort Hill Road, it was plain that things were different. Even at that hour of the morning people had begun to line the street or had begun to make their way to the grounds in order to get the best seat for the hearing that would soon be conviened.

At the AFGE office the representatives of the local AFGE had begun to gather, joined by the delegations from Syracuse, Batavia and Bath. Retoric was high as the expectations of the group was laid out. Canandaigua could not close. The move on the part of the Network made no sense at all. Surely the Committee would know that.

All stood in order, the Senators from Washington would be there, local and state officials would be there. But each of us worried... would the community be there, after all it is Monday, a work day, would they come and be heard with us.

But our worries would soon be dashed. Yes they would come, in little groups at first, and then larger and larger groups each moment as the hearing drew near.

Yes they came, several thousand people all concerned about their brothers, the men who stood tall for their nation. There were young people,old people,veterans,and their friends. Thousands came to have their voices heard. Not only in Canandaigua, but heard in Washington and across this great land.

Oh did I mention the children? The children came, they came to line the streets to thank the soldiers of yesterday, today and tommorrow for the sacrifices that they made. To thank them for the freedom that they enjoy and today for many of them that they would use. Use to tell their government, that the Canandaigua VA would not go away.

The meeting held in Canandaigua was overwhelming in so many ways, the facts each laid out by the opposition to the VISN 2 Network debaucle were clear and concise, the network's arguments, vague and incomplete. Spokesman after spokesman spoke the words designed to help Canandaigua continue to keep the promise made over a century ago, Spoken to allow Canandaigua to care for this nations veterans who bore the burdens of our nations denfense.

But no one was more welcome than our New York Senators and Representatives and Assemblyman. When Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer spoke the room filled with the power that rang from wall to wall and resounded all the way to our nations capital. When Louise Slaughter and Brian Kolb spoke of being united against the scheme to close Canandaigua the crowd knew it was a promise that would be kept. When Errigo and Nozollio echoed those words it became an echo heard across our great nation.

The VA is for Veterans and can not go away.

The hearing was from the moment it began a well run session. The questions that were asked by Mr. Batagglia were clear and to the point. It was clear that this group had done it's homework. With each question that was directed at the Network staff it was clear that they were not prepared. Plans, savings, and it's effect on local veterans were not their concern. Only immagination aimed at closing Canandaigua held any meaning to them.And they squirmed, made excuses and said it was too early for specifics, please just approve the concept we'll make up the rest as we go along.

In the end, Charles Schumer summed it up in the Veterans Tent when in closing he quoted Winston Churchill by saying,

" This is Not The End, This Is Not The Middle, This Is Only The End Of The Begining."

If I could sit on the sidelines and declare a winner of the battle that was held here , on Monday I would have to give the first round of this battle to the Veterans, Ralph Calabrese did, but was quick to make sure the crowd knew that the war is not over.

We must keep the politicians, the media and the public aware of all that needs to be done to change the plans that Feeley, Roswell and Pricipi have made for Canandaigua, we must make sure that Canandaiga survives to serve the generations of veterans that lie in our future.

Remembering the Blue Star Flag

By E.W. BRADSHAW II

Daily Messenger

CANANDAIGUA — World War II Army veteran Edson Snow remembers Blue Star Banners displayed by families who had loved ones serving in the war.

"Oh sure, they were about the size of a piece of paper," said Snow, 89, a resident of Canandaigua who served in Italy, North Africa and Austria. While stationed in Kentucky, "we saw them in Lexington. They were in windows all over town."

With U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Korean War Veterans Association Finger Lakes Chapter No. 1 is making the banners available again.

Families of all active servicemen and women can receive one at a candlelight service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Building 5 at the VA Medical Center in Canandaigua.

"It doesn't matter where they are" serving, said Bob Sherman, second vice-president of the organization. "We want to honor all active military personnel."

Blue Star Service Banners, which first appeared in World War I, became a symbol of honor in World War II.

Families would hang the small banners in their front window with up to five stars representing the number of family members serving overseas.

If the family member died while serving, a smaller gold star was placed in the center of a blue star.

Ontario County Court Judge Craig Doran will speak during the ceremony, Sherman said, and all elected officials have been invited to attend.

The Korean War Veterans Association is planning to hold similar ceremonies in Wayne, Seneca and Yates counties for military family members living there.

Town supervisors will present the banners to family members, the VA said. Residents who want their family member to be added to the list should call their supervisor or mayor.

For other information about the ceremony itself, call Hank Riegel at the VA at (585) 393-7370.

Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages

The CARES Commission has decided to come to town on October 20th, in a surprise move the Department of Veterans Affairs has decided to enter the lions den and hold the hearing that was cancelled in September for Syracuse on the grounds of the Canandaigua VA in order to decide whether Caesar gives a thumbs up or a thumbs down to our facility .

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Canandaigua AFGE Local 3306 Establishes Internet Presence

This website is dedicated to the many professionals in Local 3306 of the American Federation of Government Employees and the Veterans they serve at the Canandaigua Veterans Administration Medical Center in Canandaigua, NY.