I know this is a touchy subject but....
By tinamwhite
@tinamwhite (3252)
United States
March 28, 2007 8:47pm CST
If you have ever served in the military, in any branch then you know how things go with the Department of Veteran's Administration. While, I agree that they offer a variety of benefits to veteran's....I do not agree with how difficult it is for a veteran to get those benefits at times....there are literally thousands of veterans who are fighting for their benefits...the military magazines are full of ads where veterans are searching for other people that they fought with to try to prove their cases....many have been fighting for years without success. Many factors must be taken into consideration when figuring the level of benefits that a veteran might need or has qualified for. But I wonder if we are doing all that we can for these men and women who are willing to put their life on the line for this country and the freedoms that our citizens enjoy everyday, sometimes without giving a single thought to that person standing "guard" at our borders so that they can live anyway that they want to live. Another good point to make about military benefits is that they are constantly changing, people's disabilities/illnesses frequently get worse with age and therefore, require constant filing to increase their benefits or they get better for awhile and their benefits are reduced...then get worse and again have to refile for additional benefits once more. It is a vicious circle...and there is no end in sight as our military is spread so thin around the world presently; with daily casualities and injuries ever increasing. I know this is a touchy subject with alot of people but I thought it would make for a good discussion...So please give me some feedback.....
3 people like this
4 responses
@mollylh (78)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I think all branches of the federal government are sucky. I worked for the Census Bureau. We called it the "Senseless Bureau". My Dad served in World War II in Burma. A surgeon's aid. Two nervous breakdowns. They called it shell shock back then. He never really talked about it. But Mother said he wasn't the same when he came back from the war. And my husband was in the Marines for two years from '69 to'71. He went to Japan for seven months. Back then, boot camp in the Marines was only six weeks. They wanted to get as many Marines to Viet Nam as possible. He never qualified on the rifle range because of his vision, so they never sent him to Viet Nam. My son is serving in the Marine Reserves. He has two years left. The only benefit any of them ever took advantage of was my parents are buried in a local National Cemetery. I would like to be buried there, too, but now it is full. My grandparents are buried there, also. My grandfather was in the Navy in World War I. No one in my family took advantage of the college $ the military gives them. I know the VA hospital in nearby Louisville needs a lot of updating from what I hear. I didn't want my son to go in the Marine Reserves, but he felt it was his duty. That's the philosophy of these young men and women today, though. Unlike our generation where the men had no choice, this generation is volunteering because they want to give back to this great country. They are a different breed. They our a pretty damn good generation, too!
2 people like this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
28 Jun 07
I have to agree that the youth today that volunteers to join the military need to be commended...there is not a great threat of the draft actually being reinstated...and they proudly carry on the tradition with a devoted patriotracy that knows no boundaries....I am very proud of our servicemen and women...they are the backbone of our society...
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
29 May 07
Hi,my friend.You know i know all about how the government is with our veterans and I think it's terrible. They really do need to do something to fix the problem.Our vets deserve so much better than what they get from our government
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
7 Jun 07
While I agree that there are issues here.....I have learned since joining myLot that other countries servicemen and women may not have any type of benefits coming to them at all after serving in their military...I think I am still in shock.....
1 person likes this
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
8 Jun 07
i can still see why you are in shock. it is real shocking to have a member do their time then get nothing to take care of them. it's ridiculous
1 person likes this
@lextoper (573)
• Philippines
7 Jun 07
That was really a touching story. Many of us didn't know what it takes to be a military, navy, airforce, etc. Risk life to serve their country... in return, some of us give no respect and didn't even acknowledge their heroics actions.
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
7 Jun 07
Thanks so much, my friend....I see that you are trying to follow some friendly advice **wink** **wink**
Although many of my family members have served in the military throughout my life...I never really became passionate about it until I married my husband....I got to see the insight that few people who have never experienced these things never learn about....
I feel so fortunate that I have been blessed with this wonderful man and all of the things he has taught me and all of the unconfitional love and support too...
Thanks again, my friend....will talk again soon I am sure!!
@laltu86 (1249)
• India
28 Jun 07
All the way i read your post i felt you have written one thing incorrectly in one of your comments that is "i think this is a boreing subject" , i never felt this topic to be bore , rather i find it the most realistic and exceiting topic amongst the 100 i have seen today .
I wont say that i am sorry to hear about your husband , because that would be a disrespect and a little thing to describe what he and others have done for their country.
The people sitting at the office and doing all this beaurocracy , i feel sorry for them , because god hasnt gave them the heart and soul to respect persons like your husband , sorry for them.
Great post , there is no option of marking any post best post , so couldnt do it but surely i can +ve rate it and have already done it.
Please pass my high regards to your husband , and have a great day ahead.
1 person likes this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
28 Jun 07
Thanks so much for your kind words directed at my husband...
I said that this was a "touchy subject" because it is not something that many people seem to want to discuss...they simply want to enjoy the fruits of our servicemen/servicewomen without giving a thought o how they enjoy these freedoms and rights which are enforced by the blood of their fellow countrymen....
I realize the importance of this subject...I have gone against the bureaucracy to help him to obtain his benefits to which he is entitled to under our form of government...I do not like to see persons such as my husband get swept under the rug and forgotten...
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and kind words with us....
