Sick letters sent to Marines in Iraq

Larry - You might have got good treatment and I believe you.  But, I highly suggest that you are the exception instead of the rule.  Do your own independent research and you will find Larry you are a part of a small minority. 

I went to the VA Hospital in Dallas last year and was refused service and told to visit the doctor when I got back home because it would take 30 days to get an appointment.  Plus, I spent a whole day to have them give me that advice.

The only good part of the experience was that I got a shuttle ride to my care in a pouring rainstorm. And I still got wet as it was coming down like dogs and cats.

On your next visit get into conversation to a few Vets and then honestly report your experience.  I personally know of one VA doctor who is highly incompetent and has been on staff for over 30 years.  Two years ago I had an appointment on New Year's Eve.  The doctor treated me like I was an interruption in their holiday celebration. 

I told my primary doctor about the experience and she found it relevant enough to place a note in my medical records and concurred that she had heard the same report from another Vet.

Consider yourself lucky.  Also hope that funding remains the same for your friend's lifetime.  That $90k leg goes bad and your friend have problems, be sure to blog about it his experience.

You would be amazed at the number of Vets with mental illnesses.  Funny thing is that many look normal until you spend TIME talking with them.  Not just a simple "Hello" or "How are you doing" but spend a little time and invade that private area.

Get in the hood and speak with a homeless Vet and then we can have a serious conversation.   Go to your local VA office and talk with a Vet filing a claim.  Things are so tough at VA offices until there sits a federal security office in the public area of the VA office in Los Angeles to keep down ruckus.

Are there good people at VA offices and hospitals, certainly! Are there problems, most definitely?  I'm just suggesting calling a spade a spade and not a club with squiggle lines.

I speak from experience and not thoughts, conjecture or something I read or saw on TV.  

I just came up with a novel idea.  What don't all the participants in this conversation sponsor a Vet who life is on the wrong track or homeless and seek to find how you may help them improve the quality of their lives.

Then this conversation will not serve as a debate but a tool for reconciling with your brother man to a more meaningful life.  Maybe divorces will decrease; violence or suicide will not be viable option for our brave troops as they age and the flashbacks start.

I refuse to let a nation who has abused our young men in fighting an unjust war to protect an oil supply to forget our TROOPS after they return like they did the Vietnam Vets.  It is a shame before God that you will allow a man or woman to fight, get wounded, or suffer mental illness and forget about them once it is convenient.

We have asked young people to fight, die and be killed in the name of the USA. Yet we tolerate Veterans being homeless.  A man or woman fight and die for the freedom of a nation and the nation will permit them to be homeless.  Something is wrong with that picture. 

Let's digress a moment.  Is not the National Football Players working or talking about solutions to handle older Vets with help and assistance.

Is there not an organization to assist retired boxers also?  So you mean the Good Old USA could not afford and pay for a decent safe sleeping accommodations for any Vet on any night.  My understanding must be foggy!  The RICHEST Country in the World!  I'm sorry but my bible says, "As you do unto the least of them..."  Well in my mind a veteran who is homeless and not nourished is among the "least of them"  Many don't have a voice.

Kevin - I need no help!  I know the system, I'm managed and use in since 1973 and know how to make it work for me.  Volunteer one-day a week at a VA facility for about 6 months to give yourself a great appreciation for the sacrifice these brave people make.  Remember, I said one day a week for about 6 months, operative words. 

What to know what going in the world of Veterans affairs, go to a Veterans hospital and speak with a Service Officer from one of the National Veterans Service Organizations like DAV, American Legion, Purple Heart, etc and ask them "The State of Veterans in America today?" And shut up for about 5 minutes and I guarantee you'll learn something.  If you truly want to learn something listen for 10 minutes without asking a question.  Before you walk in to your meeting, have integrity and take a moment to listen with an open mind.   Be sure to visit this blog and post your findings, please have integrity.

This has been the 3rd US military action that the American People were not called upon to make a sacrifice.  We have become accustomed for the Star wars effect of military operations, i.e. the booming, missiles and air strikes.  Any true military person will tell you the fighting don't begin until the troops hit the ground.   

We have not had to cut back on our lifestyles in any way.  We just stared cutting back; but had nothing to do with the war effort.  And that would not have happened if gas had not approached $5.00 a gallon.  We take for granted our safety and security.  So if you can fight a war that is more dangerous that we're every fought, we can't force budgeted lodging for Veterans.

That is not right and never will be right.  Mike - I'm with you!  I'm going to post the facts and I would like to see that ALL you Kind sensitive Activerainers are going to do!  Let's start with your vote.  If don't vote in November, you have no right to complain about anything.  When you don't vote for, you vote against everyone.  It will be better to vote for yourself than not vote at all.  I've voted for myself many times as a write-in candidate.

What pressure will you bring to bear on legislators to ensure our brave heroes are treated with dignity? I know no one in this conversation will ask for budget reduction for Veterans Services. Remember this is going to cost some serious money.  Remember the mention of a leg costing $90K.  We are going to have millions of veterans in the next few years requiring limbs that are as equally, if not more expensive.  So Congress needs to be on notice to appropriate a budget that address the crisis of Veterans in America today.

If the truths in opposition to my arguments are sincere and not hypocritical, everyone needs to support and encourage adequate tax appropriations to fix the current system additional to get every homeless Veteran in America of the streets by year-end 2011.

Amanda Hall 

"I know a few more well to do financially guys"  

Most Veterans suffering from mental disorders form military combat are not "I know a few more well to do financially guys" 

If you're not on the front lines, you ought to keep your opinions to yourselves until you actually talk to people in the trenches and organization that help those that are not "well to do financially guys". 

Most of the financial well to do guys are not at this moment suffering mental illnesses.  Again, I said at this moment.  Remove them 10 or more years or allow tragedy, divorce or other life issues to enter their sphere of influence and they start seeing images of death, hearing sounds of gun shoots and the other horrors or war. 

This dialogue shows exactly what is wrong with America!  Visit any Slum or Skid Row USA and ask a face you don't know. Ask a Vet who is not a well to do financially guy his experience with the VA System.  Ask about the claims processing?  Ask about incompetent VA workers. 

You haven't got it.  Go speak to a Vet that in the struggle and ask "What is it like being a Vet?" You are not speaking to the Vet on the street!  If I Vet lives in a $500K home a supporting family and decent employments and skills, they may do well, at least for now! 

Quiet as it is kept when you're in the military you do stupid things.  Sometimes in fun and games, especially when you're young.  Sometimes you just follow orders and do things that are illegal and shameful.  The things I'm speaking of resolved the death of other people.  When they happen you solders dismiss them and move on.  Later in life is when their conscious start eating them and in many cases they have no one to talk to that can help them and in many cases they have a refusal to admit the tragedy that is the cause of their mental pain. 

They go to the VA and get placed on anti-depressant drugs or mood control drugs and have to learn in many cases how to fend for themselves in the mean urban streets and often get involved in drugs and alcohol.  

Have courage and speak with a Service Officer from any of the organizations below with an OPEN Mind without prejudice toward the truth and you'll get some flavors you don't like. If you really want the truth and have the courage visit a homeless shelter take a Vet to lunch at a local hamburger joint and start talking VA and many have opted out of the system due to the failures.  Their claim actions have meet with so much resistance for help that they have chosen to sit on the sidelines and accept not receiving any benefits.  I would be impressed if just one of the dissenters would take me up and post their experience.  That's credibility!  Who's first?

Especially speak with organization with out outreach programs and LISTEN when they speak with you.  Many of you have you mind made up on a single individual you know.  I have to say the medical system has improved over the last 40 years.  The Vet leaving military service today should not have to wait another 40 years.

The men I referenced all served in Vietnam.  Has enough time gone by for those guys yet to be capable of making a choice between their HMO and their local VA Hospital?

You're being ridiculous in your thinking!  Being political correct is a travesty.  If you're not going to talk with someone on the ground and who see the challenges Veterans are exposed to everyday, why enter the conversation?  We have Vets with Agent Orange walking around who deserve benefits and medical treatment suffering from many related illnesses.

We have 24 million Vet and you're talking about one person.  Get out to a shelter and then post on this blog.  You should not be allowed to post on this blog until you do some independent research.  

One reason the number of homeless and dysfunctional Vets will increase is because people who argue with out fact and take isolated cases and come to illogical conclusions. 

This was not meant to be a dumb conversation.  But if you continue to post without any independent insight on the issue, you'll always arrive at the same conclusion.  For many Vets, this is life and death.  

Amanda, your conversation is not credible until you have declared you have spoken to someone who works in mental health to help Veterans.  Then you can tell you friend how luck he or she is compared to their compradors and maybe your real findings will shock them into trying or helping to make a difference. 

Some Realtors are earning hundreds of thousands in real estate commissions in the current economy, but most are not even close!  So don't stoop to make the extraordinary look like it is the ordinary.  Don't argue with me!  Argue with your conscious when you enter the voting booth and know that a vet in homeless in the USA. 

This I got mine, get yours the best way you can mentality/attitude is destroying this country and making us a divided people. We continue to place politics over people. 

If you take the time to engage in sufficient research to understand the issues Veterans face outside your vacuum, we can have a meaningful communication.  If your mind is made up and you only want to believe the conversation in your head, God bless you because he is sure not using you.  This is too important of an issue to make a joke of. 

Estimated Number of Living Veterans in Civilian Life by Period of Service (Era)

http://www1.va.gov/vetdata/docs/4X6_spring08_sharepoint.pdf

As of Sept. 30, 2005 except where noted Adjusted estimates based on 2000 Census and other sources: 

Gulf War era to date (1)          4,377,845

Iraq/Afghanistan (theater) (2)  433,396

Desert Shield/Storm (theater) (3)       615,133

Vietnam War era         8,054,993

Korean Conflict era     3,256,925

World War II era          3,525,769

World War I era (4)     Approx.50

Peacetime service      6,231,463

Total living veterans    24,387,036 

(1) Includes first-year (Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm) plus service to date, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan); the Gulf War Era set by Executive Order has never been closed. 

(2) This represents veterans who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and were separated from active duty through July 31, 2005. Source: Environmental Epidemiology Service 

(3) This represents living, separated veterans among those actually deployed to Southwest Asia during the first year of the Gulf War, from August 2, 1990, through July 31, 1991 (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm). Source: Veterans Benefits Administration (GWVIS).

Mike, You challenged the accuracy of the info presented.  I accept the challenge!

Along with the conversation you're going to have with a VSO (Veterans Service Officer) from the list included on a previous posting to this blog.  Below is a list of contacts you can call or scan the internet for yourself.  Now, if you have already made your mind up on how you want to feel about this issue, evidence and conversation with VSO's will be meaningless, as you have chosen to ignore independent opinions.

May I remind you many realty profeesional practice the craft in a similar way.  They make their minsd up as to what the clients needs instead of listening to what they want.  People will always by what they want vs. what they need.  Many folks don't need a SUV but they bought one because they wanted one.  Human nature!

I just gave you a valuable sales lesson on the house (FREE).  You'll be surprised at what you can learn from a Vet if you only listen.  I remain Anonymous because the people I speak of are Anonymous!  This is about them and not me.  They won't blog or engage folks that are navie about their issues.  They are invisible and Anonymous.

They are not the well to do as Amanda speak of.  They are the Vets who feed from your garbage cans, sleep in public parks and alleys.  They are the Vets that don't have a blog or even know what a blog is all about. They are the Vets who didn't have the skill, finesse or patience to learn how to navigate the massive VA system.  I'm Anonymous so maybe you can feel the pain they experience everyday in anonymity. 

As you research and conduct your own findings and post them in this blog, I will become visible as their cause becomes visible to everyday Americans.  It is so bad for Vets until the municipalities; VSO's and community-based organizations sponsor Stand-downs to give our HONORABLE Veterans a shower, meals and attempt to direct them to resources.  Yet, Vets sleep on the streets every night.

http://www.nchv.org/standdownevents.cfm

You want to know what it is like for veterans, here are some names below to contact and inquire about the State of Veterans in America:

I can't do your homework for you.  All of the names below represent credible organizations, municipal employees or faith-based groups that are in the trenches fighting to end the plight of Vets and restore them to their honorable place in America culture.   It is more than a day from work or a barbeque in celebrating Veterans Day to honor Veterans.

Please don't continue to tribute to this conversation without some research on your part.  If you do so, you would be perpetuating a farce.  Please have integrity!

Patricia Frank Fairbanks AK 907-456-4238
Heather S. Gallagher Huntsville AL 256-714-1974
Travis Sims Prescott AZ 928-445-4860 x-5908
Alyce Harrison Phoenix AZ 602-379-7132
Don Tyne Yuma AZ 928-503-0552
Ellen Mathes San Diego CA 619-497-0142
Kathy Chwedyk Ferndale CA 707-826-6191
Sarah E. Oliver Marysville CA 530-743-2713
Judith Epperson/David Desmond Fresno CA 559-287-3456
Joe Boylan Dixon CA 707-344-3743
Lana Headley Lancaster CA 661-940-5272
Kate Reed Oakland CA 510-587-3405
Kay Lynn VanDrunen Colorado Springs CO 719-667-3703
Norman Wilcox Orlando FL 321-397-6614
Tyrone Chatman Jacksonville FL 904-630-3680
Kara Cornils Columbus GA 706-593-3393
Kara Cornils Cedar Rapids IA 319-892-5160
Kara Cornils Des Moines IA 515-699-5680
Nick Johnston Algonquin IL 866-338-4968
Nick Johnston Rock Island IL 563-370-1779
Bob Waechter Wichita KS 316-651-3684
Andrea Robinson Worcester MA 508-791-0956
Lori Hartford Roxbury MA 617-541-8846
Archie Barrow Lansing MI 517-484-4414 x-103
Carson Dean Grand Rapids MI 616-234-0220
Joe Heatherly Detroit MI 248-808-0929
James T. Maher Detroit MI 313-831-5500
Shalimar T. Cabrera Duluth MN 651-292-0145
Laura Williams Dunlop International Falls MN 651-292-0145
Rick Freund Minneapolis MN 651-292-0145
Scott Grady St. Cloud MN 320-255-6320
Al Signorelli St. Cloud MN 320-255-6320
Bill Burleigh Kansas City MO 816-753-1866
Gayle Sanford Hattiesburg MS 601-545-2925
Tonya Stinson Billings MT 406-896-0584
Greg Jacobs Greensboro NC 336-334-5777

As you collectively become more understating of Veteran issues, you will learn more of me.  Until then I like the Veterans you have chosen to ignore.

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/veterans/default1a.htm

The total death rate for Vietnam veterans was 17% higher than for other veterans. The excess mortality, especially through motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide, and accidental poisonings, occurred mainly in the first 5 years after discharge from active duty and involved.

http://ptsd.about.com/od/prevalence/a/MilitaryPTSD.htm

Studies examining the mental health of Persian Gulf War veterans have found that rates of PTSD stemming from the war range anywhere from almost 9% to approximately 24%. These rates are higher than what has been found among veterans not deployed to the Persian Gulf.

http://books.google.com/books?id=TSS_zA9E9m0C&pg=PA28&dq=health+condition+of+veterans&ei=ttZWSKbvDoqIswP40dSzDQ&sig=VLX8ne5wdNfj7bGsXphQcZmHx_Y

By Institute of Medicine (U.S.). Committee to Review the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides, Institute of Medicine

http://books.google.com/books?id=NGC_AuTngnoC&pg=PA1&dq=health+condition+of+veterans&ei=ANhWSKOTOZOOjAGfl62XDA&sig=FSAaU9ZLTH3gEVlxO_HWEL1uro8#PPA2,M1

Measuring the Health of Gulf War Veterans, ebrary, Inc, Committee on Measuring the Health of Gulf War Veterans, Inc NetLibrary - Persian Gulf War, 1991 - 1999

http://www.nchv.org/standdownevents.cfm

Today, Stand Down refers to a grassroots, community-based intervention program designed to help the nation's estimated 200,000 homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets. Homeless veterans are brought together in a single location for one to three days and are provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems and rebuilding their lives. In the military, Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. Today's Stand Down affords the same opportunity to homeless veterans.