VA holds veterans outreach on Saipan

The Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System hosted a two-day Community Call and PACT Act Registration event on Saipan, bringing medical services, benefits registration, and travel assistance directly to local veterans.

The outreach was held last Jan. 23 and 24 at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center along Beach Road in Susupe.

Jose Crisostomo, executive officer for the CNMI Veterans Affairs, said the event was designed to meet a wide range of veterans’ health and benefits needs.

“Yeah, today (Jan. 23) and tomorrow (Jan. 24) is going to be like medical needs. If you need shots or any other medical stuff,” Crisostomo said.

He said services available on-site included immunizations, mental health evaluations, enrollment in VA medical benefits, and assistance with VA identification cards.

“And they even have the mental evaluator over there, too. And also on this side over here, they have the registration for if you haven't been enrolled in the VA medical benefits, you can request and see if you qualify. And if you qualify, they'll take your picture, and they'll mail the VA ID card to your mailing address,” he said.

Crisostomo said Beneficiary Travel staff were also present to help veterans who needed medical referrals off-island.

“And also, we have the Bene Travel folks here. The ones that will handle, they'll arrange for your, if you have a medical referral to Guam or Hawaii, they're the ones that will…process your paperwork for any referral to Guam or Hawaii,” he said.

He said transportation costs were reimbursed after appointments were completed.

“Transportation is, you pay for it, and you get reimbursed later when you get back from your, when you're done with your appointment,” Crisostomo said.

A medical doctor was scheduled to be on Saipan last Saturday as part of the outreach.

“And tomorrow they're going to have the medical doctor here, too…They're going to be here the whole day from 8 to 4,” he said.

Crisostomo said the outreach underscored the importance of regular engagement with CNMI veterans.

“It's very important because, you know, we never had this before. And folks get to get the shots that they need. And they keep track of what shots they give you every time they come over here,” he said.

He said vaccines offered included pneumonia, shingles, flu, COVID-19, and RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

“So like you might be due for pneumonia, shingles, flu shot, COVID. And now they got that RSV respiratory vaccine to help your breathing problem,” Crisostomo said.

He said the outreach was held quarterly across all three CNMI islands—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Crisostomo also explained the PACT Act-related assistance available through the outreach.

“So if they have any questions about the PAC Act for the Vietnam veterans, vets, or the Desert Storm veterans and the OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) and the Afghanistan veterans,” he said.

He described PAC Act as assistance for service-related illnesses linked to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other exposures.

“You know, any sickness that they are having now that is identified that they can claim for. That's what the PACAC is for,” Crisostomo said.

He encouraged veterans to attend future outreach events and to visit the CNMI Veterans Affairs office for assistance.

“Yeah, you know, I recommend that they show up and get the medical needs that they need. And any other assistance that they need,” he said.

Crisostomo also announced a separate upcoming program offering free laptops to veterans.

“And also announce it here, Monday, January 26, we're going to start issuing out the voucher for the free laptop for the veterans,” he said.

He said 600 laptops would be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We got 600 that they're going to give us, so it's only for 600 first come, first serve,” Crisostomo said.

Veterans would also be offered basic training on how to use the laptops.

“We're going to have a navigator there, too, that is going to give a class if they need the class,” he said.

Dennis Matsumoto, a local veteran, said the outreach reflected a growing VA presence in the CNMI.

“I think it's awesome that the VA hasn't forgotten about the veterans here in Saipan and, you know, I encourage all the veterans to come by and sort out, you know, what they need from the VA,” Matsumoto said.

“There's Bene Travel, there's immunizations, also the registration for starters, and to get a VA ID card,” he added.

Matsumoto urged fellow veterans to participate.

“Show up, you know, we need the numbers. So use it or lose it,” he said.

Another veteran, 77-year-old Jeff Cope, said the outreach made him feel proud of his service.

“Oh, it just makes me proud that I served our country, and I'm proud and happy to be a veteran,” Cope said.

He said the health checks were helpful and praised the staff.

“Everyone's really professional and caring,” Cope said.

While he said annual checkups were sufficient for him, he expressed appreciation for the outreach and those who traveled to Saipan to provide services.

“No, I just appreciate everything, and thank you so much for everyone coming up from Guam for this. And biba veterans,” he said.

Veterans seeking additional information were advised to contact the CNMI Veterans Affairs office at (670) 664-2650 or Crisostomo’s office at (670) 322-2659.