Being a Nam vet, I remember returning home vividly. We were told not to wear our uniforms while traveling because many in the public weren’t supportive of us. So we returned home under the cloud of dishonor. We had done our duty for the nation, but we were expected to slink home with our heads down.
There was no hail the returning heroes......only a silent welcome back. Once home we weren’t told what to expect or what benefits we had coming. We were just home and had to deal with it.
PTSD still wasn’t given any credibility and unless you were prepared to fight an uphill battle you were never going to get anything. Agent Orange couldn’t be cause for concern. It was, after all, "harmless to human"s. I know many Vets from that era who are STILL waiting to get treatment for problems linked to Agent Orange.
Veterans are easy to overlook once they are not on active duty any more. They are no longer a part of the solution, but are now considered part of the problem. They have become a liability. Shame on them for outliving they’re usefulness. A dead Vet is less expensive than a live one.
Today we have been in a war, well two wars, for the last ten years ...... with talk of engaging in yet another. Our military members fighting overseas have been on the front lines serving extended tours for several years. Many have suffered traumatic wounds, not only to their bodies but to their minds also.
The answer from Washington is that we must cut benefits. This is supported by people who have never served in the military, let alone in combat.
If we were to believe those in Washington, we would believe that returning Veterans should "suck it up" and not be a burden to the nation.
They understand so little of the stress of not knowing if you will live to see tomorrow and of witnessing the carnage of twisted bodies and torn limbs.
How dare they judge unless they have been there? What if they make a war and no one shows up?
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