Letters: Laying blame for veterans snafu

Regarding "Probe sought in unsubmitted vets' benefits" [News, July 12], I believe justice would be served if Legis. Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown) called for an investigation into the actions of the entire Nassau County Department of Veterans Service, rather than any particular person, in this case, past director Patrick Yngstrom.

The problems that have recently come to light have been traced back to 2005 and before. Yngstrom was only one of the men in charge of the agency during those years. Surely all of the supervisors throughout these years should be involved in this inquiry.

As a veteran of the Korean War and a person who knows Yngstrom, I know him to be a competent professional who worked tirelessly during his short tenure to further the work being done for our veterans. As he was removed by County Executive Edward Mangano and replaced with Michael Kilbride Sr., I believe that Yngstrom has become a political fall guy.

Daniel Brandi, Oceanside

Editor's note: The writer is president of the New York City and Long Island chapter of Chosin Few, a Korean War veterans group.
 

Newsday has stated that two boxes of documents were found on the floor near the desk of Robert Spicer, an employee of the Nassau Veterans Services Agency.

When Michael Kilbride Sr. took over as director of the agency in February, Spicer showed him the large backlog he had, and asked Kilbride for help. Kilbride did not give it to him.

Spicer dealt every day with a constant flow of clients. As he would walk one out to the door, he would often find one or two more waiting.

Spicer is a victim of an understaffed office. He was the one who handled the brunt of many different demands. He did his best to do everything asked of him and is being made the scapegoat for the inefficiencies of the agency.

Joyce Kiernan, Elmont

Editor's note: The writer is a past president of the District No. 1 Veterans of Foreign Wars.