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War Drums at the VA
VA Waiting Room
Wonder if Senator McCain or Senator Kerry hang around VA waiting Rooms? Or even visit them? (I know – dumb questions.) Interesting events play out in VA waiting rooms. The waiting room includes two functions for Vets. It is an end point and a way-point for our Nation’s Vets. The good senators are musically inclined guys. As of March 8, 2011 both of them are beating war drums, blowing bugles for assembly and preparing to signal CHARGE! * Get a guy with a flute and the good senators can form their own fife and drum corp.
Perhaps Vets with nothing better to do than hang around VA waiting rooms, they could help our elected legislators with their musical Corp? The good guys from D.C. could even send their musical Corp ashore into Libya with the Jarheads they are demanding be landed to save the world from the Libyan horde set to invade Europe and America. Gotta add to the bill folks (butcher’s bill that is)!
Or:
Maybe, just maybe the senators would take a hard look at what is in the waiting room. Elderly men from World War II are there. Many are in wheel chairs pushed into the waiting room by sons, daughters, and grandkids. Korean War Vets manage to walk in under their own power, often with the use of a cane. Vietnam Vets forget they are old men and walks in without the cane – many of them are beginning to need. A few guys from side wars including Myaguez, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Somalia and more from the first Gulf War are there – showing the signs of aging. The young ones are there now. Especially the traumatic brain injury/PTSD cases. Some of the young guys have intact brains but struggle with severe PTSD.
Our good senators need to take a look at the guys waiting for nightmare resolution therapy – the ones for whom sleep is horror. There are guys waiting for anger management who yell at the news on the convenient waiting room television. Other Vets are waiting in dozens of different clinics – trying to learn how to live in the civilian world. Most of the Vets won’t make it. They are changed – forever – therapy can and does help them cope. Sounds, smells, weather; noise, social situations contain messages, threats and situations for these people that civilians never know. The nice well-dressed guys and girls in D.C. are working hard for us folks, very hard at adding to the group of Americans that hang around VA waiting rooms.
Perhaps our senators will notice a poignant addition to the VA waiting room. Young women are their now too. See them sitting off to side, alone? Many of them are alone. Maybe our war drum beating senators could ask them why they are alone – without help except for dedicated family members and some really good VA people. ?
The guys and young women in VA waiting rooms are components of a process. This process includes waypoints. They include:
1. To qualify for membership in the VA waiting room club – many vets become:
Blooded – “To subject recruits to a baptism of fire” (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 1969 Ed.). The Military of our country includes 3,060,000 members including reservists. Our country has about 305,816,827 people living in it. Members of the military make up a bit less than 2% of the population of The United States of America. Not all members of the military go through the rite of Military passage of being blooded. Few “fire a shot in anger” or are under enemy fire. From blooded our Vets go on to become “seasoned” – able to function in combat as an effective, thinking killing machine.
2. What then makes a COMBAT VET? Awards give some indication. They are:
United States Army: Combat Infantry Badge
Combat Action Badge
United States Air Force: Air Force Combat Medal
United States Navy }
United States Coast Guard } Combat Action Ribbon
United States Marine Corps}
In order to receive one of the combat awards the Service Member must actually experience battle. **
Service Members who have experienced the shock of battle differ from those who have not. Many develop behaviors that distinguish them as having been
blooded. The more they are in combat – the more profound the change. They become very aware of noise, movement, color and the shape of objects. Infantry become very good at analyzing terrain (ground to civilians). They become experts at killing too. What then is done to prepare young people to become blooded? (They also tend to look at many people in the civilian world as fools – those who do not appreciate the blessing of peace.)
3. It begins with enlistment in one our Military Services. The prospective GIs, Marines, Airmen, Sailors and Coastguardsmen must complete an oath. They swear to:
Each will swear an oath. For active duty or reserves it is:
I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
For Americans enlisting in the National Guard the oath is:
I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of (STATE NAME) against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of (STATE NAME) and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God.
4. Following enlistment recruits are “shipped” to basic training.
For the Navy aspiring Sailors go boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago Illinois. Those that wish to live well in the Military go to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Those who desire to be fresh water Sailors attend basic training at Cape May New Jersey for the Coast Guard. Marine Recruits are sent to the East Coast resort of Paris Island South Carolina. The tough Marine Recruits are sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego California (where they get to where sunglasses). The Army trains Infantry Recruits at the very demanding Grunt School at Fort Benning Georgia. Non Infantry MOS’s (military occupational specialty) train at different bases. Prospective Engineers train at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Future Cannon Cockers (whom are intelligent, articulate and lend grace to the military art) meet at Fort Sill Oklahoma. Tread Head Types (Armor) visit Fort Knox Kentucky. Fort Jackson South Carolina is the remaining Army Basic Training Center.
Basic training indoctrinates young men and women. It takes them from the civilian world and “gets their feet wet” by including them in military life. Eating, sleeping, rest rooms, showers, walking, talking, the way one stands, turns around, left, right, half-left, half-right and walks and turns are relearned. The recruit undergoes a transformation from civilian to Sailor, Coastie, Airman, Soldier and Marine. Remember the men and women in the VA waiting room. Each of them without exception has been though basic training. They leave behind the values of the civilian world and become what a lotta left leaning types abhor – militarists! ***
Recruits are taught to obey, especially in ground gaining arms, i.e. Infantry. It isn’t a debating group. Orders are obeyed, now! Civilians, some of them can not understand this concept of military discipline. I have given up trying to get the average civilian to understand the requirement for obedience in a military organization.
Consider one example of indoctrination and training – Marine Basic Training – The Crucible:
The Crucible A Rite of Passage for all Marines The Crucible is the 54-hour culmination to the transformation of recruit training. It is a physically and mentally challenging event that involves food and sleep deprivation and the completion of various obstacles for the potential Marine to negotiate. Basic Facts
Recruits will travel 48 miles on foot during the event.
There are 29 problem-solving exercises during the Crucible.
It consists of 36 different stations.
The recruits will have three meals, ready-to-eat (MREs) during the 54 hours.
The recruits will be required to carry 45 pounds during the Crucible, in addition to 782 gear, uniform and M16 A2 service rifle weight.
Note please – three meals for two (2) plus days, little sleep and intense physical exertion. The crucible does not come close to real combat experience. It does however indoctrinate the young recruits into physical and mental demands required of men who face other men in battle.
The United States Army Infantry basic training course at Fort Benning Georgia is a very tough and difficult bit of military life. It concludes the basic training program with a 25-mile force march carrying packs in excess of 50 pounds, weapon and ancillary equipment.
The indoctrination and transition from civilian to military continues – waypoints!
5. Following basic training the new Solider, Sailor, Coastie, Airman and Marine is now ready to defend America and take on all enemies. O.K. – what really happens is some go to advanced individual training schools others go directly to their assigned unit. Infantrymen are assigned to a fire team, squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment/brigade, division, Corp, army and finally a theater. Some are sent to a CONUS or OCONUS assignment. **** Those that are sent OCONUS may be assigned to a line unit in combat. They receive their “baptism of fire” and become blooded. Over the length of their tour and if they survive these young men will become seasoned troops. Confident, competent young men that cope with any situation. They are (and may always be) killers. Killers upset the left leaning types. Truth is Infantrymen kill people and destroy property. It is really all that simple. Not complicated at all!
6. Along the way 88mike Truck Drivers, 11bravo Infantrymen 13bravo Cannon Cocker and other MOS’s change. Often the change occurs quickly. For some the process takes place over the course of a tour, six to twelve months. This change becomes more imbedded the more combat the Troops experience. Troops that walk point, carry a tactical radio, are included in main body, are assigned to tail end charlie or an OP or and LP (especially at night), drive down roadways that known to be mined, clear minefields, and kill with semi-automatic pistols, rifles, hand-grenades, light-medium-heavy machines guns, mortars, artillery, knives, ammo boxes, fists, feet, that strangle, bludgeon other people to death as an instrument of national policy, are changed forever! Of course, many people do not want to discuss unpleasant aspects of warfare. Those components of war that go beyond parades, medals and speeches.
7. Following basic and advanced training, acceptance into a unit, assignment to a combat zone and completion of their tour of duty, troops were to CONUS. They continue their military career or retired or discharged from the Military. Some return to CONUS via the medical evacuation system. For the wounded, a different crucible begins for them. They are TRIAGED and begin a treatment plan. ***** All of them, those that survive begin the process of living in a world alien to civilians and members of the military that do not experience the horror of warfare. Remember too that many of the Troops have two, three, four, five and six or more deployments to war zones. Simple acts including waking into a restaurant, going to a movie, waking down a street, sitting in a living room are different for the returned Troop.
8. After their initial adjustment to CONUS Veterans adapt a lifestyle to live in the civilians world. The civilian world isn’t theirs. They don’t belong there. Many of the Vets would, if they could return to a combat zone. It is where they believe they belong. For the physically and/or psychologically wounded Vets must now cope with the Military Treatment System and all of its complexities and challenges and/or the Veterans Administration. Along the way Troops meet many caring, dedicated people. People that work very hard with loving devotion for the wounded and injured. Loving caring people are assigned to the Military Treatment System and the VA. Tragically there are many uncaring destructive people employed in both systems. Some are cruel and exert efforts to the detriment of the Troop and/or Vet. Vets still in the Military have options. They can complain to the IG (Inspector General) and/or request to speak to a NCO or Officer in their chain of command. A private E-1 in the Army can speak to a General if he or she believe they need to. Of course they must go through their chain of command. The system is there and it works. Troops do have a method of complaint. Not so in the VA. Vets can speak to their health care providers, caseworkers, and schedulers, for new Vets the OIF/OEF representatives (who do good things for younger Vets) and patients advocate if one can be located. Vets can not speak to any of the VA administrators. They have no access to hospital directors or anyone in the VA hierarchy! The VA will not provide contact phone numbers or addresses for any of their officials. Call a VA Hospital and ask to speak to the head VA type. If you get through – you are a historical exception to the rule! VA Regional Centers – no dice. Call and you talk to someone sitting at a computer terminal in who knows where. O.K. – what about the Vets that have issues, are brain-damaged? Without help – they walk away.
8.A Vets – some not far removed from battlefields – once they leave the military (I know MTF’s (Note 1) have a separate set of issues and concerns and employ far too many civilians with a don’t give a dam about the Troop attitude) are on there own. The service organizations can and do provide expert help for the Vet. The Vet must confront forms, documents and a blinding blizzard of bureaucracy. (Recall please these are the young men and women – many not all that long ago were killing people for The United States of America – the problem of bureaucracy often angers young Vets and adds to their bitterness)!
8.B One very competent and exceptional Veterans Counselor at the county level told me: “More than half of Vets walk away from the benefits. They simply give up. It is that complicated”. The Vet changed by battle experience, with a different set of values than civilians live by must prove they were wounded in battle. Prove their disability was incurred in the Military. Proof (I know there are rules saying the VA must help with the proof). Proof, proof, proof. Often Vets don’t have the proof and will not jump through the hoops to get it. One Vet missing large portions of his torso and a piece of his skull had to submit United States Army documents to the VA documenting the body parts were blown off of him by an enemy RPG in combat. Another Vet’s family has submitted the same eight- (8) inch stack of VA, civilian and military documents to the United States Army and the VA so many times they have literally lost count. Last time the documents were mailed the fee was over $17.00 for the stack of copies of government forms. Yes, the Vet has to pay to prove they were wounded in action, in United States Government Service, again and again and again. PTSD Vets fill out forms – lots of them – describing the traumatic event over and over again. Might not be a big deal to many civilians? It is to those who have completed a passage of lines (Note 2) at 0230 on a dark and scary night. The VA system does a lot of good for Vets – but many find it a very demanding and complex ordeal. No wonder many Vets walk away. Solution? Don’t know. Who could repair the “system”? Vets do get care. Many would get nothing without the VA. Lot of good comes from the VA.
9. Back to the waiting room. Many Vets find their endpoint in the VA waiting room. For many it is all they have. Vietnam Vets still living with the nightmare of betrayal by the country and institutions that sent them to war gather in VA waiting rooms. They are there with Vets from the other conflicts. Children, grandchildren, sons, daughter, wives, husbands, helpful people, they’re there also. None but the Vets understand what brings them to the endpoint of the VA waiting room. For most – warfare becomes a life-long issue. Young Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan – unable to cope with being subjected to attacks, again and again and on and on and on – and taking it. Refused authorization to return fire. Over the years of these two wars the rules of engagement – required by civilians and filtered down through multi-layered chains-of-command, often by people with no battle experience – have destroyed the sleeping and waking moments of many young Vets. Sentenced them to a lifetime of bitterness and feelings of betrayal. Want proof? It is readily available in any VA waiting room. Go see it for yourself.
10. Back to the John and John Drum Corps. Beat the drum guys. Invade Libya. Destroy their airforce. Blow up their cities and kill their babies, children, moms and dads. Crate more misery and horror. Spend more tax dollars on VA waiting rooms – you gonna need more space guys!
Or:
Peace Groups – agitate now! Prevent another war, now! Once our planes, ground and naval forces are given the mission to intervene in Libya – and the first United States bombs are dropped – the first Grunt shoots a Libyan or is shot by him – it is too late. Were gonna be in Libya a long time. Many will die and VA waiting room professionals will be created. It is really as simple as that.
Senators McCain and Kerry. Both know better. Almost always, peace is an excellent alternative to war! Put your drums away. (Note 3)
Dale R. Suiter
Atlanta Michigan
March 9, 2011
Notes
* Military forces as signal devices traditionally used Bugles, drums and fifes – for both garrison and combat. Musical instruments are used almost always in a ceremonial purpose in modern military organizations.
** The Combat Action Badge, Combat Action Ribbon and the Air Force Combat Medal date from the mid 1960’s to present day. Many Combat Vets were never awarded combat specific awards. This in no way diminishes their status as Combat Vets! Often, REMF’s, Pouges and Fobbits con their way into awards, including combat awards they do not deserve. This explanation emphasizes that many brave men and women who were actually in combat did not receive honorably earned combat awards. This disgraceful issue is rather common, unfortunately to warfare. No cure for it. Always been this way and always will.
*** O.K. There will always be a few who have served in the Military that hate it. These types want some mythical government that gives and provides the PEOPLE everything. The average man and woman do well in the Military and is proud of their service. I am correct. Anyone that does not agree with me has no concept of reality. Yes, I am correct folks. Deal with it. Facts are facts are facts unless you are one of the: “Don’t confuse me with the facts my mind is made up!”
**** CONUS – Continental United States / OCONUS Outside Continental United States
***** TRIAGED – In mass casualty situation wounded/injured/diseased people are placed into categories of first care. The categories include:
A. Expectant – these people will die. Color code black (morgue). They may be medicated and placed in an area out of view to expire.
B. Immediate – people that can, with immediate medical treatment survive. Resource intensive including follow-up care. Color code red.
C. Delayed – people needing medical care that can wait without danger to their well being. Color code yellow.
D. Minor – People with minor injuries needed simple medical procedures. Few resources needed to treat them. Color code green.
Other color code systems exist for TRIAGE – depending upon the medical jurisdiction.
Note 1: MTF – Military Treatment Facility
Note 2: Passage of lines – military process where one military organization walks through the lines of another military organization. Often completed in darkness and under combat conditions. Can be a complex or simple event depending on combat levels.
Note 3: The United States Military can not on its own initiative declare war or invade anyone or anything. Our Military responds to civilian orders.
Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=85739
Posted by Dale R. Suiter on Mar 9 2011, With 0 Reads, Filed under Veterans Affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Maybe Representive Bonehead and Bachmann should spend some time at the VA
centers. Maybe they wouldn’t be so eager to send our guys off to war.
Yes. Those that beat the war drums could benefit from spending weekends at Walter Reed helping perform mundane tasks for the wounded and their families. Talk to some 19 year old girl who’s 21 year old husband is having a leg amputated. Sit with her and do what she asks. Nothing can take away the pain. Being there helps.
There is another issue, Thomas – I believe many in the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government do not care what happenens to the wounded. Wounded are items that effect profit and loss, balance sheet items. Gordon Duff has a new article on arms sales and weapons deployment in Libya. War is a very lucrative venture – not known for loosing money. The Speaker and the Congresswoman may not care – unless it effects profit? I don’t know?
Thank you.
Dale R. Suiter
To Mr. Sutter:
I am not a vet, I have one older brother that is a retired Air Force
officer and another brother who served in the Wyoming Air Guard. And
currently I am helping some veterans , despite that I am not a legal
social worker. I have two guys that you could not give them the GI
Bill wrapped in birthday gift and served on a silver platter. One is
fighting the VA over some “non-combat ” foot injury. The other , I don’t
know that much about him, except he is “homeless and underemployed”.
I had a classmate that died from a Lou Gehrigs disease and he is
Vietnam Era, sometime around the 1970′s. Don’t know if he was exposed
to “neurotoxin” while in service or disease came through some other
means.
Veterans that served “In Country” are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. The Veterans G.I. Bill, especially the “new one” have been a disaster for many Vets. Hard to get someone to talk to about it. Long waits, Vets dropping out of school because they can’t get their money – one thing after another with the G.I. Bill.
There is a homeless program for vets. If he is disabled he may qualify for some type of finacial assistance. Vets must create and maintain documentation files. I know – some will not do it. The VA cares (in my opinion) nothing about Vets. It cares about written rules and documents. No documents – obtaining benefits and disability – very, very difficult.
An important issue with Vets is they not quit. Appeal, insistence is mandatory for success. Expect for Vets to get told no by the VA. It is a very uphill battle for Vets with the VA. New kids are in D.C. with a so-called mandate to reduce government spending. Look out Vets. Watch you back.
Getting data and information from the VA is a task that needs persistent, patient and insistent effort.
Take care and thank you for your response.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
I believe it was the President of the VVofA that said …”the day our country cannot afford to take care of it’s Veterans, is the day it should stop creating them…” I am a Veteran of the Vietnam War who served in Thailand. My Detachment supported the Laotians in “the secret war”. We are looked at differently by our comrades from Vietnam, and even our own Gov. The value of our service is always berated by those who think they gave more, or suffered more. We did our jobs, and yes some died, but still no respect. For the sake of our country, I think it is time for all Vets, to put aside any bias they might have toward one another. We need to give more than lip service toward “support our troops”. These new veterans, that our Gov. is creating, need us. They are suffering way more than we ever did, due to multiple deployments, and the politicians handcuffing them yet again.
We need to stand together to fight the Gov for the care and compensation that these new Vets are so deserving of, and fight even harder for our own benefits, so we can show the new Vets it’s possible, and not give up. Every Administration back to LBJ, and every Senator and Congressperson for the last 45yrs should all be held accountable. I’m from AZ., and I have contacted both my Senator’s, by phone, email, and letter, for help with the VA. It has been over 2yrs, and I’ve yet to hear back from either one.
Well said. Fighting troops are in situations that far exceed battlefield danger faced by American Forces in past wars. Our troops – not allowed to use maximum military force are diliberately placed in continuing danger of death in combat by politicians in America. If Military Commaders behaved like members of political circles they would be court martialed. The limits placed on troops mandate defeat and destruction of our military. Politicians (Rebpublican and Democrat)have created timid methods of allowing our Military to pursue warfare. Way beyond stupid. Warfare is horrible. Once civilians decide on war – let the Military prosecute it and end it.
Regarding the government and the VA. I believe in case by case approach to helping Vets. None of us will change the so called system. Working within the system, as difficult and frustraing as it is has produced results. Write letters to you VA Region. Send them certified – return receipt requested. Document everything. When seeking VA benefits it is literally you against them. You must prove everything – and – it is difficult. I have read that when there is doubt benefit of it (the doubt) must be give to the Vet.In fairness I do know a few Vets that have been granted full benefits – but only after they suffered through the VA version of Dante’s Inferno.
I do wish you well. Be persistant and do not quit. I know, makes you believe that you did something wrong asking for benefits.
I look at Vets as Vets. Those that served in combat are not that common. Many men and women are injured in the Military. They too served and they too are not granted benefits without complex examinations and hearings. It is a vey difficult process. Supposed to be that way? I don’t know and do not care. There is nothing Vets can do about it. Washington D.C. is – to a very complex extent – ran by lobbyists. That is, however another story.
Let us know how you make out?
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
When doing your federal taxes and you wonder if you should cheat a little remember how many bankers are in prison.
off topic. Damn good article.
Thank you.
Dale
Nope – don’t do it, wallytron. We are very small fish that fry real quick. Bankers have money – money buys justice – it really does. With money bankers hire very good lawyers. We can’t do it. Us lower class types fill prisons and jails.
We are we the people. Means we go to prison if we don’t pay taxes. Some us have to fund the Senate Gym and dining room, do we not?
Take care.
Dale R Suiter
“money buys justice –”
This should read “MONEY BUYS INJUSTICE”
Plus not enough jails to put everyone in though….
No Jon Jon. People with a lotta money can hire lawyers, inverstigators, experts – all kinds of help.
Defendants have to pay out of pocket for legal representation. The state and the federal government has unimited funds to take people to court. Same situation exists for Vets v. the VA. VA has the federal budget. Few Vets have money to take on the VA. The fortunate Vets get representation from individuals, lawyers, Vet Organizations. Remember, please that Vets must prove their diability was casued by military service. It is a difficult process.
Take Care
Dale R. Suiter
What if the VA is not there if we go under the Obama care they could say its not even needed. Not all military go to battle or experience it up close Myself included(Gulf Of Tonkin) but any cruise of a carrier see’s death/injury through Accidents on the flight deck this is common. I have dreams of some of this but I try and keep it in the file it belongs. Westpac 1969-70 USS Coral Sea VF-151 I have two dieases related to Agent Orange and the Blue Water sailors/Marines and Coast Guard cannot get coverage. The Blue Water Vietnam Navy Vets. Assn. has posted 100,000 out of 229,000 total who served like myself have been thrown over board for coverage a 10 year battle with the VA in my case. The Australian Navy cover’s their vets for years. I hope the bills S1939 and HR2254 would pass and give us what was taken away by the VA to reduce bills. Have been told by SenatorXXXXXX They would pass it but cannot fund it bottom mentality. Thanks for all vets Service. Barry Sellmeyer Belton mo.
barry,
i was bwn. ty for your posted comment. yours is the first news ive seen in a year about s1939 and hr2254. finally (some) good news.
Thanks Dale. Good post.
I can understand why Vets walk away. I’m just too ornery. Three tours in military hospitals, including a well-measurable TBI in multiple areas from an older IED. Decades of continuous headaches and the majority of my records claimed by the bureaucracy to have burned in ’73 fire.
VA medical folks down here are struggling to open a functional TBI Center. All young Vets in there but me. They look at me like I’m a weird old dude (and I look young for my age).
All I can say is “hang in there young folks”. The situation at the VA Regional offices isn’t going to get better. So never forget, WE, veterans, are the cream of our society. WE are the spiritual warriors. Protect the women and children, and screw the yellow bellies.
Garry Owen! Semper Fi! Soft Winds! Gentle Landings.
T.G.
Cowardice (i.e. yellow bellies) is a simple subject. Decent men (and women) conquer fear and move out and on. Does not mean fear – i.e. belly churning, gasping, horrible fear are not present. Military (and public responders) learn to control fear of imminent death. Not easy to do, is it T.G.?
You are correct, VA Regional Offices are not going to improve. The system isn’t set up to serve Vets beyond the VA line worker level. Try and contact Michael Bardarelli, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits. Mr. Baradrelli is a West Point graduate and form Infantry Officer. He knows that as an Army Officer his troops could go through the chain of command and talk to him. Not so in the VA. Vets have nobody to go to beyond VA line workers.
If I am wrong – anyone – please correct me. VA leadership is – in my opinion – living in proverbial ivory towers with no contact with us Field Grunts.
No phone numbers, addresses, no way to contact them. It is understandable that you are absolutely correct that VA Regional offices – the situation is not going to improve.
Best we can do is work with Service Organizations and individaul Vets, VA line workers as best we can and with elected folks in D.C.
Thank you for your service. Hang in there and never give up. Remember – the executives in the VA believe they provide a good product and good service. They are merely wrong. Those of us that are serfs must know our place in society.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
The trouble with the Boneheads in Washington is they live in a BUBBLE… They spend all there time with the rest of the Boneheads and no idea what real life is about, let alone want those in the Military go through… We know the the WEEPER has NO Military backround,and that clown from Arizona who got his ass shot down doesn’t give a crap about the Military either… So don’t expect them to visit any VA Hospitals soon… They both are ANTI-AMERICANS, just like anyone else that doesn’t respect our Military or us Veterans…
God Bless America and Her Veterans
Good Commanders and NCO’s go see their troops without advance announcement. Nothing like personal inspections to determine what is actually going on. I work with many very good and decent people in the VA – at the line level. I have contacted one senior administrator – and then only when an elected official’s office transferred my call. I could never get a direct line.
Senator McCain’s POW status was an action of war. No problem with the incident or his service. He’s a rich guy now and you correctly identify that he has no clue what goes on with us serfs. I once heard his speak about how many jobs so called Free Trade Acts created. Totally out of contact with the reality of Ameican life. Free Trade Acts and corperate greed have destroyed American commerence.
I do not expect the top administrators to visit VA Hospitals. I see no Hospitals Administrators visit the Hospitals they are responsible for. To my knowledge, Vets can’t talk to them or their staff. They are litterally off limits. VA line staff will not put a call through to them. They refuse. Gotta be orders.
You take care ROBERT VN Vet 11th Armored Cav: Keep your head down.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
Mr. Dale Suiter –
Although I haven’t finished reading your “War Drums” article completely yet, I have read enough to send you a quick comment or two. I want to thank you for telling the truth. That takes a great deal of courage and conviction – maybe more today than it has in the past. Your words are eloquent and powerful – and I am grateful for them.
You only made one statement that isn’t true: “Veterans that served “In Country” are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.” I don’t think any State-side installations have been approved yet for Chemical or Dioxin exposure to any military personnel. I do know that Camp LeJune (possibly spelled wrong here) has recently made it to some Legislation, but not approved yet. Ft. McClellan as well as many others haven’t made it to the Legislation phase at all.
There are EPA Clean-up lists – where various Cities and town residents have been compensated by the Government for contaminated water supplies, etc. But so far NO MILITARY Personnel have even been notified of possible exposures to dangerous materials.
It is our Government’s policy NOT to notify military personnel of Chemical (or even possible) exposures.
I will do a little research on this tomorrow and if I find that I’m wrong – I will post a list here.
Keep writing the truth! WE need you!
Rilla Surber
US Army 73-74 & 81-85 ASA, INSCOM
Still fighting for Compensation after 25 years -
With respect: “In-country” is a Vietnam era saying. It literallly means “in the country of Vietnam.”
Military service frequently exposes personnel to toxic substances. The burden of proof is always on the Vet. Even with proof – the VA determines if the proof and evidence submitted by the Vet is acceptable. There is no “fundamental fairness” in a VA issue. It is a one sided hearing. Sure – Vets can have a represenative – but – the decision is the VA’s. At will the VA can and does kick Vets to the curb.
Thank you for yoru service.
Dale R. Suiter
Update:
Try Office of Public Health And Enviornmental Hazards at:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exporsures/agentorange/
Long shot buy may be of some help.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
The war drums of the VA sound like this…..DIE, DIE, DIE…We are the VA and SAY NO WAY…DENY, DENY, DENY TILL YOU DIE VET…DIE, DIE, DIE…WE ARE THE VA ..HAH HAH..WE ARE THE VA SO COME BACK ANOTHER DAY..HA HA …AGENT ORANGE YOU SAY…HA HA ..PROVE IT VET CAUSE WE BURNED ALL THE RECORDS….HA HA …PROVE IT..HA HA ..WE ARE THE VA AND WE SAY NAY NAY…….COME BACK ANOTHER DAY…HA HA…WE ARE THE VA
Thank you Master Sergeant Foster. Filing claims with the VA must be one of the most frustrating issues a Vet can experience.
Thank you for your service as a Top NCO.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen!
When the “Trouble Making Misfits” of this Country have a guaranteed right of Free Speech. Which overrides the right of this Country’s ‘War Dead’ to be buried in peace, with “Undeniable Respect”. Should tell ANYONE: There is something lacking in this ‘so called’ Government!!!!
Been in at least 12 different VA Hospitals and Clinics’ Waiting rooms in as many States and no cane yet. These Politicians who are combat vets, many seem to have numbed out where they once were, saw, and did. Exceptions may be Chuck Hagel, Max Clealand, and a few others who have tryed to keep their emotional memory and integrity intact. I don’t hate the military but am very disapointed what has happened to it since WWII and how the corporations, arms makers, and politicians have corrupted it. Dont have the answer. “The Art of War”, and some of Confucious’ writtings regarding this may be of help. Also the American people have not had to ration or directly or indirectly suffer much over the last few wars in terms of what the new buzz words are “Shared Sacrifice”. I am not an elitist about it but as a former grunt, I dont think most folks in America have a clue about what you have vividly discribed.
You are correct. Less than one percent (1%) of Americans are directly affected by the war on terror. Notice that the popularity of returning Military is declining? Corporations have seriouly degraded the ability of our Military to function effectively. Politicians and the left in America have directly endangered our Troops far beyond hazards of battle, i.e. criminal rules of engagement. The situation is going to get much worse. Until America faces a direct military threat of invasion – our Military will continue to degrade. When needed – it may be too late.
Thank you for your response.
Dale R. Suiter
Got a question about this ‘in country’ thing as related to the civil service, and Government Contractors working ‘in country’ over there. Ok, along the lines of the Merchant Marine of WW2 getting benefits, would the workers there also be included?
Just a question anyway, cause I have a brother that spent 6 years over there (4 years with the Air Force as a Telephone Tech and two years with IT&T as a civilian contractor (yes, he is now rated by the VA as 100% IU now- he was kinda Loopy for awhile there, just like me). And yes, he had to pay a lot of money to all the VN officials to get the Paperwork moving so he could take his family with him and leave, oh about maybe two months before it fell. So anyway, would the Govt. workers and Civilian Contractors also be included?
My knowledge is that VA provides services for United States Miliatry Veterans and qaulified dependents. You may call the VA Special Issues phone line at 1-800-749-8387. They may be able to assist you. Please be persistent and paitient. Calling the VA can be dauting.
Government workers and civilian contractors need to begin there efforts for assistance with their employers. Try the Special Issues line. It is however, for Veterans.
Good luck.
Dale R. Suiter
When the Trouble-Making Misfits’ freedom of speech has priority over the rights of a Country’s “WAR DEAD” to be buried in peace, with ‘Absolute’ RESPECT. There is something ‘Wrong’ with that Country’s Government!!!!
To Dale: I was at the local library and seen a pocket book based on the
television show M.A.S.H. I thought to myself, to see Hawkeye Pierce, regular
Army Hot Lips Houlian and others do battle with the VA. In other words, M.A.S.H
vs. The VA.
Hawkeye would be a VA E.R. doc and Hot Lips would be doing her thing in D.C. at VA HQ.
We could use M.A.S.H. types in real life. Remember VA line folks are almost all decent people. Working within the systems is the real challenge. Thanks for your comment.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
To Dale: I never served in a war. The closest I came to serving was in our
high school Army ROTC outfit. During the late 60′s and early 70′s , if you
were a 10th grader and male. You had to take it. Later on, they dropped
the regulation and later on the “gals” had a chance to join. At the time,
our Master Sargeant was a World War II and Korean War. Our Lt.Col. was a
Korean War and early years of Vietnam.
But I see the “vets” at the local library. Since I have a background in social
work but not licensed to practice social work. I once applied for a job at the
local vet center but was turned down.
Many Vietnam era Vets have some sort of pony tail – some dress awful and many wear “I was there hats”. Why? Not a negative or critical comment. A few Vietnam Vets dress conservatively in casual business attire. Would not think of any kind of pony tail with what hair they may have left and do not wear “I was there hats”.
What makes Vets of the same war so different, or are they? Intresting isn’t it?
Patient persistence is needed when applying for any local, state or federal position. Eventaully (its like hitch hiking – someone will stop) the person gets hired.
Hang in there
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
To Dale: Our area is offering for the first time Operation Stand Down for
the area vets. I don’t know what the “success rate” for such events. I
know two guys at the local library that have hit rock bottom.
On a joyfull note, imagine Gomer Pyle USMC fights the VA. In other words,
” GOLLLYEEE”. Or better yet, “SHAZZZAM”. I am lucky that I never served
in the military, to see how Congress the VA treats these guys and gals.
Oh, I don’t know Thomas O’Brien – look at all the special recreation programs you missed. Fun – travel and adventure.
I try to always point out there are a lotta of real good folks at the line level in the VA. There are good people in Congress too. Lots of lousy ones to balance against the good ones. Evil organizations too. I have written how a budget guy at The Heritage Foundation wants to include SSI in VA disability pay. Would reduce monthly income for many of the horribly wounded by $2,000.00+ dollars a month. The nice boys and girls in pretty clothes in D.C. do not care. They do care about their profit line. Greed – grand is it not?
Thank you for your comment
Dale R. Suiter
For those of us that were in and on helicopters in Nam there never was a CIB and even the air medals could be an elusive item because the most powerful person in the US military was the company clerk. They could either not give a dam and only do what they wanted to do or they could file every piece of paperwork and you actually got your awards. By the way in doing research at the National Archives I found officers getting Silver Stars as an impact award.
Now I’m a one hundred percenter person and that took years to get that far. I went to the Outreach center in northern Virginia for two years before one of the doctors noticed I had never put in for any disability. He already knew my background and I was awarded a 30% disability for PTSD. Several years later he said “It’s time and you need to go” so I went to the Salem Virginia in house PTSD program and to this day I say “It’s the best thing I ever did for myself.”
Now just for your edification I was going to the DC VAMC on North Capitol street and it was the pits with drug deals going doing in the lobby and the halls. The Methadone treatment clinic was there and guys would sell their stuff for other stuff. The hospital finally straightened out it’s act and became a test bed for various new programs like making every record an electronic record , assigning blocks of veterans to a specific team of doctors and pharmacist based upon the last digit of their SSN. There was a complete follow-up of treatments. They went to armed guards at the doors with 100% ID check. They stopped feeding vets that came there every day to fed their families for free. They went to valet parking to eliminate commuters parking in the lots and eliminate the druggies hanging out in the lots. Now the reason this came about was because of veterans complaints and I personally ran into Kerry several times in the hallways of the VAMC as he came from meetings. Most of those changes are now the norm at most facilities and they came about because of the meetings.
Now in order for me to get 100% I had to become my own advocate and told the doctors “everything” that was going on even if they did not ask for the info because I know far to many vets that bitch that “No one asked me so I said nothing”. If you think it was easy I personally filed seven separate appeals on my case. They ranged from reviews by a doctor that lasted 4 minutes as they looked at their watch and said “I’ve got more important things to do” so they copied my old notes and did nothing new. I even had appointments cancelled and then was told I had missed them. The end result was I finally got 100% via PTSD and other items plus the rest of me in unemployable.
Now while I was in the DC VAMC I saw guys practicing range of motion moves with a protractor because they read a book on how to fail a VAMC medical test. I also saw the VAMC get smart and if you got 100% or even as little as 40% and afterwards you no longer went to any appointments you lost your disability rating within a year because , guess what , “If you don’t make appointments they you are no longer sick and must be cured”.
By the way I now go to the Manchester NH VAMC and it is like a country club where there is seldom screaming and yelling and by being your own advocate you are treated decently and honestly. I have zero complaints and it beats the heck out of 1969 and go to the Jamaica Plain VAMC in Boston where you arrived at 6 AM and got a number and at 8 AM they started general sick call for everyone and a dreaded trip to get drugs at their pharmacy meant 4 to 6 hours waiting for them to fill your script and if you did not respond when called you got nothing and has to start over.
You are what the criminal justice types refer to as “proof” that Vets must be very persistent with the VA system.
New Vets can read your response and learn much from it. I have always contended that the VA disability process is little different from trial court proceedings. Decisions are reached on whom has the most paper. No paper no disability.
Thank you for your service. Kerry in the hallway would be hard for many Vietnam Vets, me included. Many of us believe he is a traitor! I hold firm to the fact that Veterans Administraton leaders are out of touch with day to day VA operations and the Vets they are supposed to serve.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
I have had to work with managers at IBM and Siemens that went to Canada to avoid the draft. I told them “You live with what you did and I live with what I did but don’t question my work or my work ethic”. A lot of guys hate Kerry but he is an advocate for Veterans which is better than a lot of the slugs that are on Capitol Hill who could care less about the military.
I use to go to yearly hearings on Capitol Hill on Veterans issues with a bunch of vets from Mass. Now the guys would show up and bitch and then just leave thinking they had accomplished a lot of things. Now Charlie Rangle who is a Korean War vet said it best at a meeting. He said “You see all the people walking around here with big name tags on that also state who they represent?” “Those are the people we pay attention to because they are not yelling in our face but rather being in our face by their presence.” He said they attend meetings with us one on one after group meetings and they “press the flesh” with as many people as possible. He said that most vet groups are fractured by dissent and they end up not properly representing themselves. They show up for the group meeting and then leave.
As for the VAMC being out of touch remember the leaders are under performance reviews and it is all about numbers. The New Hampshire VAMC is the only VAMC hospital in the state and it is the only state that does not have a full service Emergency room in the US. The powers to be said that because we no longer had regular hospital beds , that was also their decision , that there was no need for regular doctors and an emergency room. They were going to shut down all operations at 5 PM every day till 8 the next morning and on Friday at 5 PM until Monday at 8 AM. When asked what the Veterans were supposed to do the hospital administrator said “It’s not my job to provide insurance for veterans”. We had the option of a 90 mile ride to the Boston VAMC in Jamacia Plain or go 75 miles to the VAMC in White River Junction Vermont. Well the vets got smart and wrote letters to every newspaper and got on the local TV station to ask questions plus we contacted the Boston stations. The end result is we now have an “Urgent care” facility but not an ER. If you go there and they need blood work or tests the test material is sent by cab to the nearby Eliiot Hospital to be done. We also complained about having to go to Boston for some tests and procedures and some bean counters finally figured out it was cheaper to send us to the Concord NH hospital in fact I was there yesterday for an open MRI scan.
We may not like everyone we have to work with but sometimes you have to do it plus things will not get done unless veterans speak up and stand up for themselves.
Excellent response. Thank you. Correct too that “pressing the flesh” is how business is done in D.C.
D.C. in my view and by extension Congress is really controlled by lobbyist structures. The pretty boys and girls that are wearing the cute modern clothes that have cocktail parties (grown up TEA PARTIES) are the ones that get a lotta action.
Vets that get mad and walk away get nothing. We are a very devisive and fractured group too, as you write. My view is that exporsure to some really awful things has a lot to do with how we behave.
Regarding Kery – no, can’t tolerate the guy. Whatever he does – I don’t care. I will never be around the traitor. Not that he cares a flip about guys like me. Stabbed us in the back more than once. Never will trust him or the Hanoi Jane types.
Charlie Rangel – old style guy that I like. I know he’s got issues but at least he didn’t stab Vets in the back.
Keep your head down.
With respect
Dale R. Suiter
OUTSTANDING..Thank you, I cannot understand the way our post World War II VETERANS are treated..Today, Navy pilots possible exposure to radiation, Japan, (I’m very very happy that we are helping them) but now all concern for a shower, added protection because of a possible air borne contamination, YES maybe we learned something !! Agent Orange Sprayed into the Air over Vietnam, Marines returning to troop transport, or hosiptals..no concern for any protection to other servicemen..My guess is that all the Helicopters and Marines received some sort of IN-FLIGHT SHOWER over the South China Sea before landing on board the U.S. Navy ships, contamination everything/one in the area..OH, but, our politicans will take care of everything, just vote for us..It is appalling the way that the honorabley discharged U.S. Veterans are continusely discriminated against by our own leadership…for allowing this country to put its own children in Harms way, then IGNORE assistance/benefits or compensation for the suffering they have and still endure…Thank you, Mike
You are welcome. I repeatedly point out the VA and Military have a lotta good people on the line working with Vets. Upper level types are too good to assoicate with us. I really believe this. When is the last time, if ever a senior VA suit or dress went to a VA waiting room and said “come on guys lets go have lunch?”
I know personally that Secretary Gates and General Kelly have picked up wounded Vets, without prior notice and taken them to lunch in the Pentagon. Very busy guys that took a LOT OF TIME to be with wounded and family members. Class act type of behavior that does not get reported in the news.
Personnel involved in the Japan Operations adapt a:
“Mission Oriented Protective Posture”. They wear protective clothing that reduces their exporsure to contaminants. Once they return to their base of operations the personnel, equipment and material is all tested for exporsure to different types of radiation and decomtaminated. There is always risk in the types of operations our Forces are involved in with the Japanese emergency. Hope they recieve good care later in life when the events of today come back to them. If you know any of the guys and girls involved in the Military – tell them to get copies of all medical documents and keep them in a safe file. Used to have a sick call jingle that went:
“Blind, crippled and crazy, we are the sick, lame and lazy” troops chanted as they were march to sick call (in a military a long time ago in a place far, far away. Never do such a thing in today’s senistive world). Now, troops must go on sick call and document everyting. Remember, the VA is adversesarial. Vets must prove the disabilty was and is sevice connected. Without proof – out in the cold.
I know a Vet that got a copy of his combat expeditions record and forwareded with his claim. He measured his feet and sent the diagram in with his claim with a statement that the size 11 boots he kept form RVN days never did fit his size 13 feet. Througout the guys career he was issued boots to small for his feet. Want think you his chances of prevailing are with the VA? Answer: Not good without a supporting military doucment. That simple. Documents count.
You take care and hang in there.