By Harold Reutter
harold.reutter@theindependent.com

Martin "Marty" Conatser, national commander of the American Legion, toured the Grand Island Veterans Home this morning and liked what he saw.

It's what he didn't see that displeased him.

Conatser took a walking tour of the veterans home, accompanied by Administrator Ginada Hostetler and several officials from Nebraska's American Legion.

At the end of his tour, Conatser said he found the facility to be clean and well-maintained. Most important of all, he said, members are receiving good care from the staff.

But Conatser said the Grand Island Veterans Home simply does not have enough staff.

"It's authorized for 160, and they're 50 staff short," Conatser said during a brief interview at the end of his tour.

He said he plans to bring the staffing situation to the attention of Nebraska officials before he leaves the state. Conatser also will talk about the situation with Nebraska American Legion officials.