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Saturday, November 08, 2008

NAVY VETERAN HAS WAITED 2 YEARS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY



BAKER AND ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST
TONY ROSE,
HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A US CITIZEN FROM THE MILITARY,
PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY WORKING IN THE U.S. FOR 30 YEARS AND NOW CANNOT COLLECT HIS PENSION



As Veteran's Day approaches, 67 Year Old Tony Rose and his lawyer are wondering what additional rocks they have to look under to find his lawful Social Security Pension.

He was born in Canada and his family moved to New York when he was a child and became dual Canadian and US Citizens. After Tony's Navy discharge he worked in the US for over 3 decades, paying state and federal taxes and Social Security.

In 2006 when Tony applied for his pension he was informed that the US Department of Homeland Security had revoked his US citizenship and did not recognize his Canadian citizenship. He has attempted to resolve this matter for over 2 years and has been without a pension during that period.The Social Security Administration will not begin his pension payments until his citizenship issue is resolved. He has been trying to work this matter through a lawyer, the VA, his local representatives in government (congressional level) and directly through the Social Security Office.

No one seems to know what to do, who should take action and who has responsibility. Letters directly to the presidential campaign received no response. The Inspector General of the US has been notified and Tony has camped out in his local Congressional Representative's Office on numerous occasions and been turned away.

The veteran has lived in the United States since 1946 having moved from Windsor, Ontario, Canada to Detroit Michigan with his family that year at the age of 5 years old. He attained dual citizenship in Canada and the United States and received a valid US Social Security Number. Tony served in the Armed Forces of the US honorably and has paid state and federal taxes to include social security from 1963 to the present in the United States of America. He is still paying those taxes at his current part time jobs.

At this writing, Mr. Rose has been given no indication by the US Government that his case is being examined by anyone who can take a responsible course of action, schedule a hearing or otherwise determine the bottom line in this matter. His lawyer, who is working pro bono, is totally frustrated and each of the agencies involved has stated the other should be responsible to do something.

Tony lives at the Hastings Minnesota State Veteran's Home and works locally at the 2nd Street Coffee Shop and the Animal Ark.

Happy Veteran's Day, Tony - Such as it is.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is there any way to talk to Tony? I'd like to have him as a guest on my Weekly Podcast.

Grandma B said...

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, a national organization, has a branch for the military. This off-shoot is called NAMIVets. I am wondering if you contacted the chapter there in Minnesota if possibly they could help resolve this issue. It sounds like this gentleman has served his country proudly, and deserves better treatment. Check out this web-site;
www.nami.org
There is a section for veterans with many resources available. Good luck....and Happy Veterans Days to Tony....he served his country well....
P.S. I was born in Worthington, MN. many years ago.

RoseCovered Glasses said...

cj,

I have sent to you an email with Tony's contact information.

Grandma b, thanks for your coment as well and we will follow up on your suggstions.

Thank you both for your interest.

Ken

Nancy said...

I am sorry about what is happening to Tony and he certainly needs our prayers! But his situation does not negate the fact that Veteran's Day is a good celebration and helps remember our responsibility to pray for all those who have and continue to serve our country!