Lawmakers Hear Emotional Testimony About Veterans Home

NewsChannel5.com
June 8, 2006

The families of veterans living at the state-run Tennessee State Veterans Home delivered Thursday a clear message to a legislative committee. They said: Tennessee is ignoring its veterans. They were talking about conditions inside the nursing home first exposed by a NewsChannel 5 investigation. Some lawmakers now call this a scandal.

“It's a very serious problem, and I'm ashamed of what I've seen and heard here,” Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said.

Lawmakers reacted to what was sometimes emotional testimony.

“My father is a son of this state. He is truly a Tennessee volunteer,” patient's daughter Jessica Chapman said.

“They informed me that maggots had been found in one of his wounds,” patient's daughter Karla Henry said.

Henry first told NewsChannel 5 that her father, David Lawson, developed horrific bed sores — the result, she says, of just plain neglect.

“My brother and I were shocked and horrified when we saw dad's wound, as it was so deep you could stick your fist into it,” Henry said.

Henry gave the committee photos of the wounds, which made some lawmakers visibly upset.

“It's unbelievable, and it puts you in position where you really feel you need to go out and arrest somebody, because nobody, no patient should have to live like this,” Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, said.

“It was shocking. I'm very upset about what I've learned and just like other scandals that have surfaced, we've got to get to the bottom of it,” Norris said.

Lawmakers said they want more answers, but they agree with the families; Tennessee shouldn't retreat on its promise to its veterans.

“My husband fought in 13 campaigns in World War II. He was combat-wounded. He never asked for a thing in the world until now. He needs our help,” patient's wife Willodene Jackson said.

Committee members said they'll be calling administrators from the veterans home to appear before the committee in the coming weeks.