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Disabled veteran about to be evicted

Gary Connellis and his family are about to be evicted from their Leavenworth apartment.

In a couple of Front Line blogs this summer, Connellis' problems obtaining disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs were outlined.

Connellis suffered numerous injuries in 2006 while serving in the Army during the war on terror. He received an honorable medical discharge and the VA determined he was 30 percent disabled.

To make a long, complicated story short, Connellis found out additional information about his injuries that the Army hadn't passed on the VA. He has asked that he be declared 100 percent disabled. He has three different types of arthritis, major back, leg and foot problems, and post traumatic stress disorder.

In Nov. 2007 Connellis applied for temporary pay while waiting on a new determination about his injuries. That was almost a year ago and he is still waiting on that determination - and any temporary pay.

Connellis does receive a monthly tax-free check for $429; that's for his 30 percent disability determination. He is taking classes at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, and he gets additional VA money to pay for that.

Connellis is unable to work, although he is trying to sell books online. His wife has a part-time job. They have a 7-year-old daughter. Their rent is $565 per month. They have additional expenses and a car payment. They use food stamps.

Connellis long ago ran out of any extra money he had saved. He has been getting help from his parents and others.

Connellis, 39, joined the Army a few years after the 9/11 attacks in New York, where he worked as a police officer for 17 years.

Connellis received a three-day eviction notice, dated Thursday.

By Mike Belt

October 11, 2008

The Front Lines

Discussion

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11 October 2008
at 6:49 a.m.

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yankeevet (Anonymous) says…

This is how this country treats its veterans while government officials and CEO's steal this country blind. A measley 429 a month is all this combat wounded soldier gets. This is a disgrace. They send us too foreign countries too fight their meaningless wars; wasting good soldiers and tax payers money. “Don't piss down my back and tell me its raining Senator”!!!

Vietnam Veteran 69-70
11 October 2008
at 7:14 a.m.

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touringdriver (Anonymous) says…

god bless this man and his family. sad they make soilders do unthinkable things. but they make a pissy effort to help there results. this is one of many many stories curtious of our U.S. government.
11 October 2008
at 8:43 a.m.

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willie_wildcat (Anonymous) says…

This is bullsh*t!!! This man got injured doing what his country asked him to do and this is the thanks he gets. Pathetic. Our vets cannot get in to VA hospitals for basic care, they cannot get the benefits they rightfully deserve, or any other incentive that the government “promised” them when they signed the dotted line.

Yankeevet- You said it all! It is a national disgrace and we should all be ashamed.
11 October 2008
at 9:28 a.m.

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onrywmn (Anonymous) says…

Yankeevet,

Thank you for serving our country. I agree completely with you! When is this country going to get our priorities straight and take care of our soldiers?? They should be receiving the best care and benefits this country has and they are not. I am so ashamed.
11 October 2008
at 9:54 a.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

Mr. Connellis should have been a CEO of an investment bank. The government would have taken care of him. This is pathetic.
11 October 2008
at 10:09 a.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

Though of little consolation, how appropriate that his Commander-in-Chief is about to be evicted, as well.
11 October 2008
at noon

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smitty (Anonymous) says…

Please post information on where to send money.
11 October 2008
at 12:09 p.m.

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OldEnuf2BYurDad (Anonymous) says…

Should this surprise us? Anyone who's applied for SSI will tell you that this is how people are treated. And, this has nothing to do with the current administration (we have plenty else to blame on his sorry behind). It's been like this for decades.
11 October 2008
at 12:31 p.m.

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Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

I also would like an address where I could send a contribution. I also plan to send the link to this story to my senators and representatives. This is shameful, indeed.
11 October 2008
at 12:36 p.m.

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Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Here's Dennis Moore's website if you want to call or email him.

http://moore.house.gov/contact/
11 October 2008
at 12:49 p.m.

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gl0ck0wn3r (Anonymous) says…

I assume, of course, that the kids who spent their time protesting the “elites” on Mass street will repurpose their energy to help this guy out? No?
11 October 2008
at 12:54 p.m.

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disabledveterangvcptsd (Anonymous) says…

111 Riverview ave. apt.101
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048

I really appreciate what you want to do. I am very,very grateful. I would join the Army again to protect and serve the people of this great nation. Thank you so very much.
11 October 2008
at 1:16 p.m.

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jmgomets13 (Anonymous) says…

I am a Proud American and I stand behind the military men and women. When I see a military person, I alwats Thank them for their service. However, I am mortified at the treatment Gary Connellis and his family are receiving from the Unites States Deptment of Veteran's Affairs. Shame on you, is this how you the gov't repays our servicemen and women?I am from Pa. In our local paper Thetimesheraldrecord.com, they are cutting the benefits of the blind veterans. instead of bailing out the 700 million dollar defecit to corporate America, try giving some of that money to Connelllis and all the other disabled servicemen and women, Uncle Sam(again, shame on you)
11 October 2008
at 1:18 p.m.

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notwhatyouthink (Anonymous) says…

Thik guy is a major screw up. First off he was an officer with the New York City Housing police not the NYPD. He leaves NY after 17 years to be a police officer in Leavenworth KS? He couldn't stay there because of his actions so he gets hired by Lawrence PD. Something happens there and then he gets a job as HIghland Kansas Poilce Chief. He was only there 3 months and resigns. Don't you remember the news video about him being scared for his families life becasue of the city council and manager. Yea a lot of hit men in Highland KS. It is because they didn't like that he was trying to clean up the police dept? That is his side of the story. Why the big hoopla about being scared for you life?

There is something wrong with a guy who can't keep a job more than a year and then goes into the military and gets injured in less than a year. If you notice in the blogs he won't say where he was when he was injured, but it was not in Iraq or Afganistan. Mike why don't you ask him to give us the details.

When his appeal is decided we all will be able to get the info on the VA website. I think you all will be suprised at how he is really trying to work the system.
11 October 2008
at 2:06 p.m.

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been_there (Anonymous) says…

Interesting, maybe Paul Harvey needs to do “the rest of the story”
11 October 2008
at 2:10 p.m.

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been_there (Anonymous) says…

But there are other vets that are not recieving the help they deserve and the government does need to do something about the problem ASAP.
11 October 2008
at 2:31 p.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

Dad: “And, this has nothing to do with the current administration.”

With a service date of 2006, 'twould seem it has *everything* to do with the current ad-mini-stration ( … the war which never should have been ) .
11 October 2008
at 2:36 p.m.

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bennyoates (Anonymous) says…

Republicans are second to none when it comes to sending people off to war. Not so good at making sure they get a fair deal when they return home.
11 October 2008
at 2:42 p.m.

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bennyoates (Anonymous) says…

First off, why is the wife only working part time? Get off your butt and work full time if things are tight! And if it is true that he was not injured in the line of duty why should the government be paying him anything for his time served? I work everyday with a bulging disc I am sure that there is something he can do with a herniated disc or have surgery. Not to mention, have any of you googled his name? There is a you tube video that shows him getting into a new SUV and driving away, if things are tight get rid of the new car!
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First off, probably because the couple have a daughter to raise and because the man is taking college classes to improve his position.

I'm inclined to give this family the benefit of the doubt until I have good reason to do otherwise.

I won't even bother to address the rest of your blame-the-victim comments. Who are you to say what this man should or should not do just because you've googled him and looked at a YouTube video? In fact, you should go “google” yourself!!
11 October 2008
at 4:42 p.m.

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jmgomets13 (Anonymous) says…

Notwhatyouthink……it sounds like you have some issues?It sounds like you have a personal grudge.Defamation of character? I would definitely give this guy and his family the benefit of the doubt. If you know your cars it is not a brand new SUV. Maybe the wife can't work fulltime. It doesn't matter if he served his country here securing our borders or overseas in Iraq. You still are serving your country. Maybe Notwhatyouthink needs to read more CNN and know there is an all out war on our borders. Whta if,for argment sake, it was a new SUV, that is all they have!!!!!!Maybe it was a gift?used SUV?
11 October 2008
at 5:39 p.m.

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disabledveterangvcptsd (Anonymous) says…

Notwhatyouthink, usually I would not respond to people who are full of it so I do not fall into traps like yours. But I will take this chance. I was never a Housing Police Officer. My father who is a Highly Decorated NYC Housing Homicide Police Detective was employed by them. Also, the NYC Transit Police, NYC Housing Police and the NYPD all merged under Mayor Rudolph Guiliani and became one ,the New York City Police Department. Get your facts straight. My father moved out to Kansas and his health went down and I being the oldest son came to his aid. I became a Police Officer in Leavenworth,which I enjoyed very much, and I received over 12 commendations including the Kansas State Lifesaving award. I guess you did not have all of this information. Shall I continue, yes you said, ok. I then had to leave Leavenworth because my wife became pregnant over 40 yrs of age and was told she may lose the baby if she did not get constant bedrest. My father was doing much better and we went back to New York where all of our family helped us. Oh and since you say I am a screwup I was rehired ,on the phone, by my old department before I arrived back in New York. Either you are a person I arrested,fired or because I tried to organize a Union in Kansas, which I found out is a no-no here. Thank God we had a wonderful baby girl. I could not wait to come back to Kansas and I applied to several Police Departments back here in Kansas. I was hired by the Kansas Highway Patrol and by the Lawrence Police Department. I made a mistake and took a job I just did not like. Lawrence is a great place, but the job was not for me. But if I was such a screw up why did I beat over 12 applicants for the position of Chief of Police for Highlands. Because they saw that I was good. I took over as Chief and I fired 95% of the force because of corruption. The city attorney,the city board and alot of the citizens were right behind me. I stood for change and some people do not like that. A former Topeka K-9 officer who now trains dogs privately, the Brown County Sheriff and a couple of former Police Officers from Leavenworth helped me 24 hours per day to rid the town of corruption. We received several death threats and one of the city police cars were damaged. And guess what, I was in the Army for over 1 year. And yes I was wouned in combat and I will not take the time and violate my oath to tell you where it was. But one thing you need to know. An LOD(Line of Duty) report has to be filled out on all line of duty incidents. Also my PTSD had to be backed up over and over again and I had no problem telling what happened. The St.Joseph News media did a great job in reporting the story onthe corruption and I welcome people to go look at that news story. Notwhatyouthink just remember you have the right to say what you want because of brave soldiers, like myself. Oh, by the way did I fire you or arrest you. Or are you just jealous……
11 October 2008
at 5:59 p.m.

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disabledveterangvcptsd (Anonymous) says…

WeLuvbowling(terri irelan)––- Are you serious? I expect people to respond negatively, but you should have the facts first. It sound like it is personal with you. My wife and my daughters are my biggest supporters and are always there. They are the ones who sat at home wondering if I was ever coming home again. My wife has always worked. She takes care of our daughters,me and our home. She also works at an elementary school 25 hours per weekas a structured activity leader(on her feet all day) Her hours were reduced from 37.5 hours to the current hours. My wife is an extremly ill person with a couple of diseases with one that will probably end her life abruptly. You are a repulsive SLOB. You do not have any facts. Also I could not get 30% disability pay if it was not service connected and in the line of duty. Again a LOD(line of Duty) report has to be filed on all injuries. I have a 2004 Pontiac Aztec and it is my only vehicle. I got this while I was in the Army. I am behind 2 payments. Also, I walk with a cane and I fall at least 6-8 times per week. I have more wound than you know of. I welcome you to drive by my apartment and even stop by and have a conversation with me. But I guess you won't do that because you are a spineless coward. And 90% of my wifes pay goes towards her health insurance. I look forward to you stopping by
11 October 2008
at 7:53 p.m.

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been_there (Anonymous) says…

Not very classy to attack the wife and maybe daughters (didn't get to see it before it was deleted) especially if all the facts are not known.
11 October 2008
at 9:16 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

wow!
did it occur to you nimrods that perhaps one reason his wife doesn't work fulltime *is because she is her husband's caregiver!* no, of course it didn't. I've been a caregiver for my spouse, sometimes it was for multiple years! you try that sometime, it ain't easy.

***
and benny, sure, attack the current administration, you're just speaking from ignorance.

PTSD is being better addressed today than ever before by VA and current military medical resources. the trouble is, it still is short of personnel and other resources. it is better understood than ever before. but need more people, more meds, more assessments, more support. oh, and Clintonia was not good on the record of PTSD.

PTSD is still tricky to identify until it is fully occupying a man or woman's mind. we can't predict who will get PTSD very well. PTSD is one of the most persistent and resistant mental disorders. often minor events, or internal mental events, trigger hallucinations. people can be dangerous to themselves and others. PTSD is caused by exposure to extreme situations far beyond normal experience. you can find PTSD even described in ancient greek literature. meds are not the only tool, and won't cure it by themselves. some people say PTSD is harder to treat than severe depression, ten times worse. unfortunately, VA still needs more people and more assessments. but even with 100% coverage, it will still miss some.

oldy is right about SSI, initial refusal rates for obvious disabilities are a scandal. this is a little different in that diagnosing ptsd isn't like diagnosing MS.

***
Mr. Disabledvet…ptsd, please pm me if you wish to communicate directly. I have some understanding of PTSD, and I have only respect for men and women who wear our country's uniform.
11 October 2008
at 9:48 p.m.

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weluvbowling (Terri Irelan) says…

Mr. Connellis, if I were a spineless coward would I put my name on this site? Unlike the annonymous names on here?! My step father has agent orange, jungle rot and PTSD from active duty and has been fighting the “system” for MANY years. I guess he needs to take some lessons…

If you are TRULY disabled, my apologies. And from here I will keep my mouth shut because I have VERY mixed emotions on this blog and I will keep them to myself from here on out!
11 October 2008
at 9:50 p.m.

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weluvbowling (Terri Irelan) says…

bennyoates: I google myself daily just for a good laugh!