In a blow to veterans on Martha’s Vineyard, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer be funding an Island veterans counseling service that’s been in operation since the 1980s.
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ program, called “Readjustment Counseling for War Veterans,” received word in mid March that, along with some 500 other similar programs around the country, the VA would not be renewing the program’s contract ending on June 30. The cuts are part of the broader effort of the Trump administration to find savings in federal spending.
Veterans across the Island have voiced dismay with the decision to cancel the local funding.
“These are men and women who served their country with honor — they shouldn’t have to fight for basic services after returning home,” said James Hagerty, town administrator for Edgartown and a U.S. Marine Corp veteran. “I would urge the VA to reconsider this decision and prioritize accessible, community-based care for our veterans on Martha’s Vineyard.”
Now, the program will be looking elsewhere to make up the $80,000 that was annually provided by the VA.
“We are determined to provide these services in a seamless fashion,” said Tom Bennett, director of veteran services at Community Services who has provided mental health counseling to Island veterans for decades. “We have the veteran community behind us … we’re going to fight to keep these services intact.”
The readjustment counseling group provides weekly support and discussion for veterans returning from war experiences. Bennett said the support group is currently helping 30 veterans deal with severe symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, anxiety, and withdrawing into isolation, and helping these individuals find new purpose after military service, like through a career or volunteering.
“All of these veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder as a diagnosis. It is trauma from the war experiences,” Bennett said, who was a U.S. Air Force veteran. “The support the veterans get from each other is healing.”
In March, Bennett received a call from the New Bedford Vet Center, which oversees the federal department’s contracts on the Vineyard, that no contracts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island would be renewed.
“The woman who runs the operation is almost as upset as we are,” he said.
The VA announced in a March 3 press release it will terminate 585 “non-mission-critical or duplicative contracts.” The department stated over $900 million from canceled contracts would be redirected to “health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.” According to the department, “contracts that involved services VA has the ability to perform itself were typically canceled.” Reuters reported that ongoing layoffs at the department have disrupted some mental health services for veterans, and an internal Trump administration memo in March outlined plans to eliminate 80,000 VA positions.
A VA representative did not immediately have answers to the Times’ questions.
Bennett said the Vineyard’s contract was actually established in 1986 because the federal officials at the time deemed the Island was “beyond a reasonable distance” from the veteran centers in New Bedford and Hyannis. However, Bennett said with the availability of videoconference technology like Zoom, VA officials are saying Island veterans can attend groups virtually or in person on the mainland.
“A lot of the veteran population is getting older now,” Bennett said. “It’s difficult for them to move around, even.”
Hagerty reinforced Bennett’s concerns, saying that veterans on Martha’s Vineyard face unique barriers to care, such as “distance, transportation, and seasonal limitations that consistently make off-Island services impractical.”
Nearly 1,000 veterans live on Martha’s Vineyard, although only around 250 use the services provided by Community Services. Supporters of Island veterans have previously told the Times that offering returning service members a space to form a community after leaving the military was vital for veterans’ mental health and preventing suicide. It’s also why there has been a community effort to establish veterans housing on the Island.
“Obviously, readjusting after service in combat areas is a challenge for many returning combat veterans, and for the government to withdraw funding for these services is very significant,” Tom Murphy, Aquinnah veterans service officer and Vietnam War veteran, said. “It’s very disappointing, and in my opinion inappropriate.”
Bennett wrote in a March 26 email to Vineyard veterans that the New Bedford Vet Center “indicated” that eligible Island veterans may receive services at other centers run by the federal department, like in New Bedford or Cape Cod Vet Center in Hyannis. Some of the programs in New Bedford include “Camo to Classroom,” creative art expression, and one focused on Vietnam veterans.
“The services can be accessed through in person and VA Video Connect with a Vet Center provider,” Bennett’s email reads. “If you are interested in any of these services[,] call Jenneifer Hayden at the New Bedford Vet Center Office between 8 am-4:30 pm @ 508-999-6920. Do not call after 4:30 as the call goes to a VA central answering center.”
The email also states those who wish to speak against the contract termination can also reach out to the New Bedford office.
“If you wish to voice your objection and/or protest to the termination of the ‘Veterans Readjustment Counseling Contract’ you can contact The New Bedford Vet Center Office between 8 am – 4:30 pm @ 508-999-6920. Again, do not call after 4:30 pm because it goes to a VA central answering center. It is best to call the New Bedford Vet Center ‘Work Cell Phone’ anytime of the day to leave a message at 401-358-8433,” the email reads.
thank you Pres Trump and all who voted for him for their continued support of our vets.
I’m saddened by this news. As the director of the National Memorial Day Concert broadcast on PBS for thirty years, I have met many veterans who have served in America’s wars. Some have been severely injured physically and emotionally. All served to protect America. They deserve our appreciation and commitment to help them recover. The administration must reverse this decision.
Is this how we honor our veterans? What a shame, says the mother of a disabled Navy veteran. God Bless the Veterans. We have to do better.
Because before helping immigrants from foreign countries we should be helping our veterans, right Trumpsters?
We should help all.
Is anyone surprised by this ? Let me start by saying this is the responsibility of trump– not the VA — This is the guy who claimed he had shin splints to avoid the draft, said he didn’t like people who were captured during wars, called dead veterans “losers” and “suckers” , mocked gold star families and refused to visit the cemetery in Normandy because he was afraid they wouldn’t have a big enough umbrella for him IF it rained. I’m a veteran.My father survived the sinking of the USS Sculpin — a submarine– and was a POW in Japan for over a year. My uncle returned from Iwo Jima with “shell shock” and died at an early age. I have no idea why anyone who has ever served in the military would have ever considered voting for this national disgrace.
I’m sure some of the MAGA voters are surprised, the rest of us aren’t.
Agreed Don!
Actually I would be willing to bet that most people in the military voted for Trump. On another matter, if the MVTimes is willing to allow you to call Trump a national disgrace after its new guidelines do you mind if I call Biden and Harris a national disgrace or will Sam censure me?
I would be surprised if Sam “moderated ” your comment referring to any national political figure as a national disgrace, especially if it happened to be true. Unfortunately, you are incorrect about what DOGE is doing. While I am sure they are finding some waste and fraud, they are mostly taking a chainsaw approach in an attempt to reduce the size of the government. Reducing the size of the government is not a bad thing in and of itself, but really, Summarily firing tens of thousands of hard working Americans and cutting programs regardless of their benefit to society or their efficiency is truly draconian and heartless. I wouldn’t mind so much if I thought for a second they were actually doing an intelligent review and taking out some slack or uncovering fraud. Their actions will cause severe suffering to millions of people.Feeding starving children in Africa is not fraud. Any tax cut that trump has ever proposed will benefit the wealthy more than the poor or the middle class. That should be obvious to anyone who is paying attention.
No one knows what kind of review DOGE is doing. It might be thoughtless or it might be thoughtful but to assume summarily that it is chainsaw is prejudicial in the extreme. I think it is well done.
Elect a clown, expect a circus.
I hope no one in this article voted for Trumpo because this is what was going to happen I knew it now everyone knows it. It’s so they can give the monies to their wealthy cronies.
The VA did this NOT TRUMP ! The VA for years padded their pockets and screw the Vets this is to use us for their political gain I know that this will not get printed but keep people in office that take YOUR MONEY to feed and shelter people that don’t belong here ! I have seen the waste and BS. I started the Outreach program with Woody Williams and the Newbedford group was great came over and helped us start a Rap group. IMHO this is just a slap in the face to vets again ! They know that this program WORKS but want to keep their High paying stay home jobs and waste and blame the President BS !
The Executive Order from President Trump requested that the VA cut the fat—and Martha’s Vineyard veterans are the fat, sorry. There is no avenue available to pin the blame elsewhere; only Trump’s signature is on the Executive Order and the president is well aware of the cuts to the VA. It’s a pity it had to come to this and now it has, as a matter of fact. I’m sorry that your work with Woody is over.
I will let you know when my job is Over!!
Hold your Breath!!!!!
Us Combat Veterans take care of own! Our Country and Fellow Citizens never gave us Squat!!!
Thumbs up Jeff, my fellow ‘Marine’.
It’s becoming regular news that the people who need the most continued support are loosing it to pay for the tax breaks that Trump and Musk feel they need. It’s more than shrinking the government- it’s really helping the billionaires become richer on the backs of the Blue Collar Americans
In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. federal government spent a total of $6.8 trillion and collected $4.9 trillion in revenue, resulting in a deficit of $1.83 trillion. Do you believe in continued deficit spending? We couldnt do it at home. How is reducing the deficit a tax break for the rich. Do you really believe Trump and Musk need tax breaks. The average person does. Do you believe there is waste and fraud in Government spending by all parties? I do.
I am a huge supporter of our military and anyone who has served our country, including the family members of every veteran. After reading this article, the programs that were cut were duplicative and $900 million will be redirected to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries. Why is it automatically assumed that the funds that were cut will not be reappropriated for our island Veterans? Perhaps there will be a better program or service that will help more than 25% of the people who need it. We need to do a better job of getting the resources where they are needed.
Ask your friends who voted for Donald Trump, is this what you voted for? Are you ashamed of your vote?
Thank you to The Trump Administration for support of improved benefits for our veterans.
This Martha Vineyards VA support group I hope will get a renewed contract before June 2025, and it would not surprise me if the Trump Administration increased the contract amount. They will work out the details once it is brought to there attention ASAP.
This is truly a tragedy. Perhaps MA can repurpose money spent on illegal immigrants and get it to our veterans. The state handed Healey $639 million to pay for shelter services in fiscal year 2025. Surely they can spare $80,000 for our veterans.
Trump has been talking for years about “World War 3.”
Who will become veterans of that war?
I like to be contacted, to come to the island and make a plan to raise the necessary funds to keep this program available. Yes, options are available online for same services, however, not all comfortable with calling into a group session ( ie I lived on an island, St Croix, USVI, and VA and local government came up with solutions for veterans). Our organization, Italian American War Veterans of US, would like to be part of the solution, including funding an island on service availability for our veterans. Those involved, email me at itamri4vets@gmail.com as I would like to come by check out the program and discuss a solution. ( PS I am a retired Master Sergeant , US Army, 2 combat tours in Iraq. RINEWSTODAY.com
Our veterans are a Federal Government responsibility.
Where is a quote from many local elected federal officials? Why are names of cited resources not given? How does media let these individuals skate under the radar ? It is conceivable restoration can occur. Urban areas have a dance of closing firehouses becomes we saved the firehouse. This too can be solved.
My husband Woody Williams started the Combat Veterans Rap in the 1980s’ and it is still going strong on zoom and being funded by MV Community Services and is not affected by the executive orders by the President. When he came home like many other Veterans he came home to an ungrateful nation with people spitting at him, he couldn’t even wear his uniform and had to buy a baseball cap to hide his hair. He moved to the mountains of Oregon with a bunch of other Veterans and learned about PTSD and Agent Orange exposure. He came back to the Island with his new knowledge and started the group with 3 Marine Combat Veterans and asked Tom Bennett to come on board because they needed a Combat Veteran Psychologist/Counselor. Now all of a sudden you all care about Veterans ? They were shamed for years as well as their families. I have yet to see any of you protesting at 5 Corners for Veterans rights. If you really care write to your congressman, senators and the President and air your concerns.
The post here are both negative and show the divisiveness of MV and our country. Immediately jump to a projection that vets will be hurt without really understanding the detail of VA funds. Jeff Baker and Tammy King have it right. No vet on MV will be hurt.
OK well maybe some of this negativity should be seen through a more humanistic lens:
the man responsible for these cuts (a billionaire) – of 80k/yr – has personally been responsible for multiple business bankruptcies, has been found liable for a $90 million verdict still unpaid, is convicted of fraud and has cheated on his taxes for virtually ever.
Rushing to take the side of veterans seems to be the only response here and not something that should be divisive if you care about humans other than yourself.
Great that no Vets will be hurt on the Island as you say, but what about Vets who live elsewhere? The concern should be that all who have served this country continue to receive the respectful treatments and financial help needed and cuts are not made, if anything increases should be made to properly fund the VA.
Trump has divided our nation.
I was curious how those who support veterans and trump could spin this one. I am pretty impressed with the doublespeak and deflection.
First, they say that ex order signed by trump had nothing to do with the Va cutting services.
Then they go on– these cuts will result in “improved benefits” ..
A new contract will l actually increase spending for vets…
we don’t understand the details.
we need to get resources to where they are needed. –Cutting them helps ?
And then– ” No vet on MV will be hurt.”
I don’t know about that.
But I do know that I will not be hurt by this. But then again I don’t have PTSD, substance abuse issues , suicidal thoughts or anger issues as a result of horrible things I didn’t experience.
I don’t have chronic medical illnesses associated with burn pits or chemical exposures. I don’t have any prosthetic limbs or pieces of shrapnel in my body. I own my home.
I don’t need the benefits and leave them for those who do. I support veteran services. I don’t support the draft dodging, disrespectful buffoon who ordered this cruel reduction in services for the people who put themselves on the line.
You don’t have to be negative or divisive to realize that your program has been cut, and now you have no place to go. Group counseling is not as effective when not in person, and some people are hanging on by a thread. Considering how this administration feels about the Military, I don’t think there will be new funding in June, but I hope I’m wrong.
Thank you Red Hats….and most of you are Veterans. You let a south African citizen do this.
Another gift from Trump. Are you Trump voters starting to get it yet? We are losing all services to everyone among the other horrors. As Senator Booker said; “ It’s not about right and left..let’s about right and wrong. It’s not a partisan thing, it’s a moral thing”
Many “moral” Americans avoided the draft during the Vietnam War era. They were often called draft dodgers. If they drew a low number in the lottery, they joined ROTC or less combat oriented military branches to avoid the jungles of Vietnam. Or they protested. Or claimed conscientious objections. Or hid in Canada. Or were able to afford college and grad school. Some claimed medical conditions— like bone spurs. Many of these same moral Americans and many of those who supported their “morality” suddenly now care about vets even though these moral Americans were awful to our heroic soldiers who served in Vietnam, treating them like dirt on their return home. Other than pretensions of moral correctness, TDS, and liberal virtue signaling, what has changed?
The likelihood that island vets will lose services is slim. Recognizing and correcting waste, unfair or inappropriate spending, and poorly administered services is not bad for anyone, despite any “moral” outrage of the usual suspects. Knee-jerk reactions are expected, though.
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