Jerry Iannacci, the CEO of Operation American Patriot was the guest of the Terri Gilbert show broadcasting locally at KFYI Talk radio which is also nationally syndicated. Jerry announced a partnership between Banner Health, Tricare, the VA and Operation American Patriot to develop a program to assist in resolving the VA Health Administrations backlog. Jerry announced some of the immediate actions that will go live Monday to deal with the medical backlogs in Arizona. This project, which is starting here in the Phoenix area, will be used as an example to help resolve the backlog problems nationally. Jerry has been the facilitator on a solutions crisis team for the VA tragedy in Arizona. The show aired on June 14th. Listen at www.kfyi.com/media/podcast-the-terry-gilbergshow-terrygilberg/614-terry-gilberg-show-24902748. “I completely understand the anger — no, rage — of Iraq veterans given the recent chaos in the country for which they risked their lives. Many of us Vietnam veterans having been living with the same sense of outrage since coming home from that war. America, it's time to listen to our veterans who risk their lives in conflicts orchestrated by the economic and politically powerful class in this country.” — Terry Araman “So greatful to the MSVA for helping me through my service connected disability this time last year and that I wasn't out in this cold or going hungry. Ironically I stood outside in the cold just to remind myself how terrible things were or could be, and where I came from. The MSVA saved my life. There's no safer place for veteran's who are in a bad place in their lives.’ — Jason Lozinski RUBEN GALLEGO THE AMERICAN DREAM by Ruben Gallego Growing up the way I did, there is no reason anyone would have believed I’d end up where I am now. Tuesday night also would not have been possible without the women who raised me and continued to shape me. My mom, my sisters and my wife Kate are more responsible for any success I’ve had than I am. I also know election night wouldn’t have been possible without you. I came to Arizona for the first time less than 10 years ago. I had just gotten home from Iraq, I didn’t have a job and I was struggling to get care at the Phoenix VA for a knee I’d badly injured in Iraq in a non-combat incident. This community welcomed me, invested in me, mentored me and has worked with me to advance progressive issues and push our state in a new direction. We built a very diverse coalition of unions, environmental groups, community leaders, veterans’ organizations and progressive groups, as well as Planned Parenthood and many others. We assembled an army of young organizers willing to hit the doors every day during the hot summer — many of whom were engaging in the political process for the first time. And thanks to many of you, we were able to finance the campaign through small-dollar and grassroots donations so we didn’t have to rely on corporations to fund our campaign. Campaigns are hard and can be nasty, but I want to thank Mary Rose Wilcox for her years of service to this community. She worked to get kids of the street with her midnight basketball program and has worked to revitalize the Grant Park neighborhood. Those are laudable accomplishments that I know this community won’t forget. I also want to thank Ed Pastor for all of his work for this community. We wouldn’t have light rail without Ed Pastor and his influence will be felt for years to come. We’re going to get back to work soon — and I’ll be providing details in the coming days on how we’re going to use this organization to help elect Democrats statewide since I don’t have a general election. But for now, I just wanted to say thanks. This was an incredible experience, and one that I hope will mark a sea change in Democratic politics in Arizona. We’re going to continue to dream big and do all we can to be team players in turning this state blue. Now it’s time to go make good on those promises. SENIORS & <strong>VETERANS</strong> TARGETED FOR FINANCIAL FRAUD by Felecia Rotellini As the saying goes, if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is. That is why we need to educate Arizonans to keep them safe and away from the reach of scam artists. As a former Assistant Attorney General for Arizona and Superintendent of the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions, I have investigated and prosecuted dozens of perpetrators of financial fraud. Government prosecution sends a message that fraud will not be tolerated in our state. But, we must also remain vigilant in preventing these crimes from happening at all. In too many instances criminals are caught, but the damage is already done, with little opportunity for victims to recover. Recently, a close friend of mine lost her mother and, soon after her death learned that her mother had been victimized by swindlers. The scammers convinced her elderly mother that she was part of an FBI sting operation and that she had to provide cash to the scam artists so the FBI could eventually arrest them, leaving her mother a hero. Through telephone conversations, this courageous, but deceived woman, agreed to wire tens of thousands of dollars to off-shore accounts, believing she would eventually get her money back. Unfortunately, her mother instructed her financial advisor not to tell her daughter she was taking money out of her investment accounts. The investment advisor complied. My friend found her mother’s journal, which documented the conversations and transactions. The last entry in the journal said, “I think this is a fraud”. My friend is not alone. In 2012, more than a fourth of all fraud complaints came from people over 60. Prosecution is not enough. consumer education is imperative. Educating our seniors and their family members is the most effective way to avoid these heartbreaking situations. We need to make sure our seniors have a trusted family member, attorney, or accountant in whom they can confide regarding financial matters. Through education, open communication, and meaningful law enforcement, we can help our seniors feel safe and in control, enjoying their retirement with confidence and dignity. Felecia Rotellini served in the Arizona Attorney General office from 1992 till 2005 and served as the Superintendent of the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions from 2006 to 2009. She is a candidate for Arizona Attorney General in 2014. To learn more about Felecia Rotellini and her plans to protect consumers, visit www.FeleciaForArizona.com.
A R I Z O N A V E T E R A N S M A G A Z I N E Page 63 VIETNAM VETERAN COMMEMORATIVE DINNER. The Sun Cities Youngtown Special Activities Center partnered with the Sun City Elks. The gentlemen in red are representatives of the Elks lodge. The SCYSAC assists developmentally disabled residents in the NW valley. They put together and donated hygiene kits to veterans at The MANA House. “This group does so much for the veterans shelters, they are great people.” — Joe Tassinari US Army veteran David Lucier, US Marine Corps veteran & Congressman-Elect Ruben Gallego, US Navy veteran Terry Goddard and US Army veteran Corey Harris are seen here at the Vietnam veteran commemorative dinner.
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