...to all of America's service men and women, but especially to my baby brother and my soon-to-be sister-in-law, who have both seen the horrors of war.
Today, I am ashamed of my country when I read the headlines:
The numbers of homeless veterans are on the rise.
We are ignoring our veterans' mental health needs.
Veterans across America face stumbling blocks and delays as they seek to access their healthcare, disability, education and job training.
Wounded veterans face new fight to secure government benefits.
A while back, BeltwayBastard had a great post highlighting organizations that provide support to all our men and women in harms way. As he aptly argues, this isn't about politics.
In addition to those sources, if you'd like to do something tangible and important for wounded veterans who have returned from overseas requiring extensive care, get a long-distance phone card or two and mail them to:
Medical Family Assistance Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20307-0003.
This will enable those under treatment to keep in touch regularly with their families around the country.
Additionally, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a group dedictated to educating the general public on issues facing our troops, has terrific action links.
On the field of battle, our troops pledge to "leave no one behind.'' The very least we can do is fulfill this vow on the home front -- to each and every one them. More here.
Please pray for peace.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Once again such a noble post. Thank you.
The homeless veterans issue / veterans' healthcare issue/ etc. really bothers me, in the context of all the "support our troops" rhetoric.
I am going to argue before the Pardon Board Monday for the release of a *decorated* veteran who has been incarcerated for 30 years because of having been a heroin addict upon his return from Viet Nam. No violent crimes or property crimes on his record, but a whole lot of possession, possession of paraphernalia, possession with possible intent to distribute. At the time, he also needed the business.
Hm. And he was a sharpshooter, and good at it too, so he has blood on his hands. And a self-righteous, privileged person would say, it was all his fault, he signed up in the first place. And yes, he volunteered, and I believe lied about his age to get in, he is from a very bad background and just had to get out. So, hm.
Professor: Thank you for doing this.
The history of how the US government pushed drugs on our soldiers during Viet Nam is well-documented. WE ARE TO BLAME for the drug use, misuse, and dependency of our veterans. To punish them for something *we* caused is deplorable.
Again, THANK YOU. And please let me know how the hearing goes.
Thanks for posting this.
Great post. This shit needs to be said loud and clear so that idiot America knows that the Cheney Mentruation DOES NOT support the troops. And neither does a yellow ribbon on your SUV.
Thank you, melissa. The same thing happened in the first Gulf War and in Vietnam. The VN War cost this country the lives of 55,000 soldiers in combat however 110,000 more committed suicide, a closely guarded fact.
United for Peace and Justice is a great peace group that's doing a great deal for our troops and their families. Yellow ribbons made in China and purchased at WalMart aren't the answer regardless of the spin.
Post a Comment