Less than 1% of the population are or have served in the last decade. Yet we have to have non governmental agencies to act as a watch dog over our gov. To ensure the returning Vets, especially the severely wounded get the proper treatment they deserve.
Being a vet, the "contract" I signed when I enlisted, not drafted, entitled me to VA benefits for life. That contract was broken by the gov. for sometime and has just recently been reinstated in the last couple of years.
I say this because today the contract is different. VA benefits are only extended to 10 years beyond discharge date unless there is a wartime disability involved.
Last week on Oprah, told you I'm bored, the 1st lady, Bob Windward and Tom Brokaw were all on. Each presented a family of either a injured vet or one that lost his life and one that was about to go on deployment again for the 4th time.
They went on to discuss the impact that these circumstances have on the families and the vet and the lack of services available to help these and all families of all vets.
Unemployment and homelessness of returning vets is the highest of any sector or our society. Shameless.
We all have our reasons why we served. I don't believe any of us ever felt we were entitled, or that society or the gov. owed us anything. And as is now, we never asked for anything.
When I filled out an employment or loan app and came to the question "military status" I was proud to answer it in the affirmative.
Today however, that answer is being used against our returning vets because they are being labeled as "unstable". Meaning they have a "gypsy" type mentality. Therefore aren't a good candidate for long term employment. The sad part is, no one knows how or why this type of labeling got started.
In reality, a vet is the ultimate volunteer of our society. They do so unselfishly with the full knowledge that they may pay the price with their life.
The opening question of the show was " How many of us know of a vet or family of a vet that is now currently serving"?
I am ashamed to say, I didn't know any. At the time.
The purpose of the show was to make us all aware of these problems and to get us off of our butts to go out and volunteer to help these families. Whether it is a ride to the local VA hospital or babysitting for a parent whose spouse is deployed to give them a break or just a knock on a door to say thank you. There is something we all can do to help. Nothing is too small.
It is one thing to wave the flag, but to serve the flag and to serve those that preserve what we have, that is our duty as a citizen as a society and as a government.
The 1st Lady and 2nd Lady are kicking off new programs that is available to ALL of us to get involved. A homeless or unemployed vet is shameless. We can do better. We have to.
What ever happened to the slogan "Your best bet, hire a vet"? I haven't heard it in a long long time.
What I have done.... since I am being treated for my broke leg at the VA , I go every 2 weeks for an appointment. My wife has to drive me since I am in a cast and on crutches. We arrive about an hour or two before my appointment. When we arrive, we split up and go and mingle with the other vets. We shake their hands and thank them. We sit with them, we talk with them.
Amazing are the stories and lives of these forgotten souls.
I ask all of you to search the web for these programs. To find out what is going on, what is needed and see where you can fit in. Nothing that you can do is too small. It would be huge and have an impact. For both of you. It did me.
Thanks for listening.
I do you know how you feel.
