Vet starts petition for Soldier's Home

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - State budget cuts have some fighting for veterans rights.

Walter Pietres is a disabled Korean War veteran, and a concerned advocate from Chicopee.

He was troubled when a friend from the Soldier's Home told him recent state budget cuts have closed the facility's outpatient dental clinic for the retired service people who live there.

So, he launched a petition drive to restore it. "They have no other way that they can have these processes taken care of. They don't have the money that they can support themsleves on it and that, and it's not fair for the veterans," said Pietres.

Pietres says he has collected close to 400 signatures. The American Legion Post 438 plans to turn the petition in to the governor's office soon.