Steve Mensing, Editor
♦Recently the Rowan Free Press obtained a copy of a letter sent by the North Carolina Division of Veteran Affairs criticizing local veteran advocate Rodney Cress of Salisbury for his efforts to bring better service to local veterans. In the following interview Rodney discusses this letter and the challenges it presents.
Steve Mensing: Rodney, grab a seat. Can you tell me a little about yourself and your service to veterans.
Rodney Cress: Sure Steve, I graduated from the Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 1970. Got assigned as a squad leader in the jungles of Vietnam. It was there I earned respect for my fellow soldiers and wanted to help as many as I could.
Steve Mensing: You’ve had some accomplishments assisting vets here in North Carolina. Tell our readers about them.
Rodney Cress: I became a veteran advocate in 1992, when I took on a Fortune 500 company for not promoting disabled veterans. I filed a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) resulting in disabled veterans being promoted. I knew then some veterans didn’t know how the system worked, that they needed guidance, and I was willing to help.
Steve Mensing: I’ve read a letter from the North Carolina Division of Veteran Affairs (DVA) written recently that appears to be attacking you for helping to bring better service to veterans. Do I have that right?
Rodney Cress: That’s correct. Mr. Barry West, district officer of the DVA wrote the letter. He accused me of rallying support to get rid of a veteran service officer for poor service. Many in this community have filed complaints, not just me. Many newspaper letters and TV news stories have focused on this issue.
Steve Mensing: What part does the DVA have in a county-employed veteran service officer?
Rodney Cress: The only part the DVA plays is in training. That’s all. They have no say in a county personnel matter and should keep out of it. County tax dollars pays for the VSO salary and benefits, not the state. County employees are handled by the county.
Steve Mensing: Rodney, it’s alleged by Mr. West that the county VSO was instrumental in you receiving full benefits. Is this true?
Rodney Cress: Absolutely not; it’s an outright fabrication. I received full benefits in 1992 with help from Congressman Bill Hefner and the Disabled American Veterans. The county VSO wasn’t even hired until 2008. Nothing the VSO did increased my benefits one penny. It’s just another way Mr. West is trying to benefit himself and discredit me. There was a form missing from my file so I asked the VSO to replace it. It never increased any benefit. Just another way Mr. West tried to manipulate his opinion.
Steve Mensing: Benefit himself?
Rodney Cress: The DVA has a budget formed by the amount of work they do, just like any government department. The less work done, the more chances the budget will be cut. There are 100 counties in North Carolina. Many are struggling from financial issues and are looking at ways to cut spending. One way they are doing that is by eliminating county VSO’s and having the veterans use national organizations like the DAV, American Legion, Am Vets, Vietnam Veterans of America and others. All these have national qualified and trained VSO’s, paid for through the membership fees. In return, there is no cost to county government. Six counties have no VSO, and 28 counties only have a part time VSO, so the trend is changing to use national services.
Steve Mensing: So without county VSOs, there is no need for a state DVA.
Rodney Cress: Exactly, the less VSO’s trained by the state DVA, the more chances their budgets will be cut and employees will be dismissed. Although the DVA still has other duties within their job description, training VSO’s is a big part. My thoughts are that Mr. West wrote the letter to save his job, nothing else. Why would anyone get involved in a county personnel issue they know they can’t change? Pure greed on the part of Mr. West, as I see it.
Steve Mensing: Why do you think the DVA singled you out? Does being a veteran advocate, known across the state like you are, have anything to do with it? I understand you’ve received many awards for your efforts.
Rodney Cress: Steve, in 2011, I received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service. In 2012, I received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award for helping African American veterans. In 2011, I was proud to receive the North Carolina Society of Historians Barringer Award of Excellence for military history. I have served on many committees involving veteran issues, and I’ve given speeches across several counties on military topics and was keynote speaker at many military events. I was instrumental along with Rep. Fred Steen, in naming the new I-85 bridge in Rowan County to the Yadkin River Veteran Memorial Bridge. This was done on behalf of all veterans who cross it. Don’t know what’s up with Mr. West. What I do for free, he gets paid a salary for.
Steve Mensing: Rodney, you mentioned Vietnam. It’s well known in the county you were awarded some high ranking medals.
Rodney Mensing: Yes. I received a Bronze Star for Valor, a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement, an Army Commendation Award, a Combat Infantry Badge, and several others.
Steve Mensing: A bronze star is impressive. What are you requesting from the DVA?
Rodney Cress: I spoke with some of the Governor’s staff and with the staff of the Secretary of Administration. I requested a letter of apology and that Mr. West, the letter writer, be dealt with in whatever manner they think best. I would like him terminated because he does not have the best interest of veterans at heart. Mr. West used the Governor’s stationary to write his opinion which gave the impression the Governor gave his approval. I don’t believe the Governor approved. Mr. West wanted the letter’s recipient’s to believe this was the case. It is an abuse of position and I feel he should be disciplined for it. It’s been three months and nothing has developed. I am a supporter of Governor McCrory, but I am disappointed that this issue has not been put to rest. I have other veterans to help without wasting my time in response to these types of letters.
Steve Mensing: Thanks Rodney for bringing to light issues within the state Department of Veteran Affairs.
Rodney Cress: Steve, it’s been an honor to speak with you. Thanks.
The letter:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2E5Ew6OLdElNmR4Si04d3ZqNUE/edit?usp=sharing
