UPDATE:
The trip took a toll on Matt's health and he has been admitted to the hospital in D.C. as of Friday 31, 2009.
Check out his blog for more details!!
| Important Info & Updates On Matt: UPDATE as of July 30, 2009 : MATT'S BY STORY WAS KILLED BY CNN PLEASE CALL THEM / EMAIL THEM AND ASK CNN TO COVER THIS IMPORTANT STORY Phone: 404-827-1500 Fax: 404-827-1906 E-mail: cnn.feedback@cnn.com Follow His Blog at: http://tractortodc.blogspot.com YouTube Made by Friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fScb9awKf6o Donations greatly appreciated to help Matt pay for gas & etc. on his trip home: Call The Power Hour at 1-877-817-9829 to find out how to donate or go to: Buy a gallon of Diesel: http://themurdystandard.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/735056 Or Call or visit Wal-Mart and send a Money Gram: http://www.walmart.com/moneytransfer Interviews on The Power Hour: Thursday - July 30, 2009 - with Mike Woods: (Fast forward to 33:20) http://gcnlive.com/Archives2009/jul09/PowerHour/0730091.mp3 Wednesday - July 29, 2009 - Fast forward to 33:20 With Randy & Matt. http://gcnlive.com/Archives2009/jul09/PowerHour/0729091.mp3 Tuesday - July 28, 2009 - With Matt Letterman. Fast forward to 46:52 at the very end of this hour and overflows into the next URL (below) http://gcnlive.com/Archives2009/jul09/PowerHour/0728091.mp3 Fast forward to 46:52 - at the very end of this hour and overflows into the next URL (below) http://gcnlive.com/Archives2009/jul09/PowerHour/0728092.mp3 |
Missouri Gulf War Veteran Driving Tractor to DC
Reported by: Noah Bond
Date: 7/25 10:32 pm
Source: http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/story/MO-Vet-Driving-Tractor-to-DC/d8mvYENRDUuDVQ_WmPWT3A.cspx
Video of Interview: http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=15817@wpsd.dayport.com
A Missouri man driving his John Deere tractor from his home in Willow Springs, Missouri to Washington DC is making a stop in our region July 25th. The Gulf War Veteran says he's at a breaking point because he claims he is disabled, but not getting disability benefits from his country.
http://www.thepowerhour.com/news4/matt_letterman.htm
As a result he can't afford to fix his car so his only remaining mode of transportation is his tractor. Letterman's tractor tops out at about 20 miles per hour. He plans on driving between 10 and 14 hours a day. He is making his way to DC because he doesn't know where else to turn. "This is probably the last fight left in me. I've suffered 2 heart attacks with in the last 60 days. You know its just a matter of time," said Matthew Letterman sitting near his tractor.
He claims the VA has denied him disability after he was declared unfit to work in his profession. His ailments include COPD, congestive heart failure, and he's on 19 different medications.
He blames the ailments on the chemicals he was exposed to during his 1991 wartime service for the US Army in the Mideast and with 5 kids to support he's running out of money. "If they've done this to me how many other guys out there has been down the same road," said Letterman.
He leaves from Metropolis, Illinois July 26th and hopes to pull into our nation's capitol either Wednesday night or Thursday. "I've made it this far I'm going to make it the rest of the way, if Lord willing," Letterman said.
When he gets to Washington DC he will try to talk with Missouri Representative Joann Emerson, Senator Kit Bond, and other key political leaders to lobby for disability benefits for all veterans.
http://www.thepowerhour.com/news4/matt_letterman.htm
(Note his wheelchair strapped to the back of his tractor)
As a result he can't afford to fix his car so his only remaining mode of transportation is his tractor. Letterman's tractor tops out at about 20 miles per hour. He plans on driving between 10 and 14 hours a day. He is making his way to DC because he doesn't know where else to turn. "This is probably the last fight left in me. I've suffered 2 heart attacks with in the last 60 days. You know its just a matter of time," said Matthew Letterman sitting near his tractor.
He claims the VA has denied him disability after he was declared unfit to work in his profession. His ailments include COPD, congestive heart failure, and he's on 19 different medications.
He blames the ailments on the chemicals he was exposed to during his 1991 wartime service for the US Army in the Mideast and with 5 kids to support he's running out of money. "If they've done this to me how many other guys out there has been down the same road," said Letterman.
He leaves from Metropolis, Illinois July 26th and hopes to pull into our nation's capitol either Wednesday night or Thursday. "I've made it this far I'm going to make it the rest of the way, if Lord willing," Letterman said.
When he gets to Washington DC he will try to talk with Missouri Representative Joann Emerson, Senator Kit Bond, and other key political leaders to lobby for disability benefits for all veterans.
