CLEARFIELD – Despite an objection from one local veteran, the Clearfield County Commissioners on Tuesday announced the nine initial appointments to its Veterans Advisory Committee pending letters of acceptance.
Last month, the commissioners decided to organize the committee in response to concerns that were voiced regarding the operation of the Clearfield County Veterans Affairs Office. From the pool of 23 letters of interest, local post commanders and adjutants selected nine.
“I’m not for this committee. All it does is delay any action that needs to be done. Now, it’s being put back on us and going to be a waste of time,” said Stephen Karchner of DuBois and a Vietnam War veteran. “It’s only going to delay any appropriate action. I think there has been enough evidence over the past three years.”
Commissioner Mark B. McCracken was pleased with both the quality and diversity of the nine selected for the veterans advisory committee. He found its creation to be the appropriate next step, as the board proceeds toward resolving the arisen issues.
“A small, organized group” has expressed its dissatisfaction with the operation of the county’s Veterans Affairs office over the past several months. At the same time, a group has come forward to “the defense” and is upset about the “attack” against it, McCracken said.
According to him, most of the concerns seem focused on the operation of the Veterans Affairs transportation/van program and the filing of claims. The committee was formed to evaluate those programs as well as the overall operation of the office and to present feedback to the commissioners.
“We want to allow for this process to take place rather than deciding based on (the opinions) of two, very different groups,” he said. “I think that we’re doing the right thing here, and I hope the general public and the veterans find the nine appointments fair and balanced.”
Editor’s note: The following is the list of the initial nine appointments to the Clearfield County Veterans Advisory Committee pending letters of acceptance.
Floyd F. Hauth of Osceola Mills served in the US Air Force for 34 years during the Vietnam conflict. He’s affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and local legion.
William R. Hewitt of Coalport served in the US Army for three years during the Vietnam conflict. He’s a current post adjutant at his VFW.
James P. Schucker of Clearfield served in the US Navy for six years during the Vietnam conflict. He formerly served as the county’s director of Veterans Affairs.
Robert M. Michael of DuBois served in the US Navy, Marines and Army as Medic/Hospital Corps. He was active duty for 22 years from 1976 through 1998. He’s affiliated with his VFW and legion as well as Disabled Veterans of America.
Don Shaw of Clearfield served in the US Coast Guard for 22 years. He’s affiliated with his local legion and has previous law enforcement experience.
Edward A. Hullihen of Curwensville served in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict. He’s the local president of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter.
Richard J. Moeller of DuBois/Treasure Lake served in the US Navy for three years, including two years during the Vietnam conflict. He’s affiliated with Disabled American Veterans, Unknown Soldiers and his local legion and VFW.
Christopher Everett of Luthersburg served in the US Army for 12 years and was deployed four times to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He received the Purple Heart and is affiliated with his local VFW and the National Infantry Association.
Scott McKenzie of Frenchville served in the US Army from 1985 through 2004 and was deployed to Bosnia and Iraq. He’s affiliated with his local VFW and legion.