Veterans from around the Hudson Valley who are concerned about the potential closure of the Castle Point VA Medical Center in Dutchess County gathered at the VFW Post 8645 with advocates to tell elected officials firsthand what they think.

"If the VA would close, it would be catastrophic for me personally," said veteran Daniel Aversano.

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Rep. Antonio Delgado were listening closely. The two want to put an end to the proposal to close the 105-acre campus built in 1923.

"I feel, as a veteran myself, that it is a slap in the face," said Ryan.

In a March 2022 report, the VA said Castle Point’s “current infrastructure and layout do not meet modern health care standards, and the existing facility requires significant capital investment.”

Many veterans disagree.

Aversano, a Vietnam Army veteran, knows how vital the services are at Castle Point. He worked at the facility for 22 years as a licensed practical nurse, and now, he’s a patient there.

"The service they give me for my eye is outstanding," said Aversano.

A Kerhonkson resident, he said if Castle Point closed, he doesn’t know where he’d go for care.

"I don’t even know where they would even take my care. I’d have to start from ground zero in Albany, which is two hours away from me. Five dollars a gallon for gas would be one issue, and if they won’t see me, it’s down to the Bronx VA. I mean, who wants to go into the city?" said Aversano.

In the March report, the VA recommended the current inpatient medical and urgent care services provided at Castle Point be absorbed by local community medical providers, saying “With the declining population, low demand, substantial maintenance cost and high-quality community partners for inpatient care nearby, veterans can sustainably receive care in the community.”

"They can’t say they're going to give us care because it’s impossible," Aversano said. "There’s no way they can push 13,000 vets in Ulster County and put them in local areas. It just won’t happen."

Delgado said the VA's plan is offensive to veterans.

"The lack of a replacement plan that meets at least at a bare minimum the same standards that you all have been receiving up to this point at Castle Point is reckless, offensive and something we simply cannot accept," said Delgado. 

Aversano hopes the congressman will take the concerns back to Washington to stop the closure from happening.

"It feels like a terrible slap. Of all the places where they could cut money," said Aversano, "vets are the core of the country."

Neither the VA nor Castle Point responded to a request for comment.

Delgado said he plans to share the comments from veterans with the commission deciding the fate of Castle Point.

The commission hasn’t been assembled yet. The group will eventually do its own investigation and then present their findings to the president, who would have to approve or disapprove their recommendations in February 2023​.​