Forgotten Heroes

I am a 40% GWOT Vet who sustained multiple injuries. My biggest problem so far is keeping a primary doctor at the VA hospital. I have had 3 in 2 years. Like the Gulf War vet I am now having other health problems arise and not having a consistant doctor really makes getting help difficult. I have 3 boys and would never consider letting them serve because of the way I see our politicians handling our vets. I loved my country enough to die for it but we are in terrible times with our political leadership.

The real person who failed this man was George W. Bush, for getting us involved in the War in Iraq in the first place. We should have NEVER gotten involved in Iraq, if anything we should have supported people in that country who wanted to kick Saddam out of office and helped them as much as we could, without sending in our own troops.
That way, the government in Iraq (which at all but the highest levels was surprisingly similar to our system here in the United States) would not have been destroyed and needed rebuilt from the ground up.

Vietnam Vet: Comment. AS a forty percent disabled viet nam vet I have been fighting with the VA for
the last five years to get my earned benefits. Back during the Clinton administration our medical free medical care was taken from us. I as well as other veterans informed our representatives in Washington
that this was going to happen and it has come to pass. The veterans Administration as well as the present administration in Washington is playing the waiting game hopeing that the issue will slowly die. They are
more worried about the budget than they are the welfare of the American service man and women who have fought and been maimed for the freedom of the people of this country. I am neither Democrat or Republican and feel that the Veterans of all wars should not be denied any of their earned benefits any longer for political reasons.

My brother was in the Army in the first Gulf War. He and many others either came home with Leukemia or developed Leukemia and Lymphoma shortly after returning from the war. In 1998 he succumbed to the illness after a long battle. He left behind two small children. Our government needs to acknowledge these individuals --as many have died and many are still battling illnesses from the first Gulf War. We, too, were mortified at the conditions in the VA Hospitals and ultimately my brother's care was through The Cleveland Clinic. He would not have survived as long as he did if he had remained in a VA facility.

As a former VA employee, I can attest to what goes on behind the scenes at VA medical facilities. My husband and father, both veterans, were fortunate enough to have private health care and did not need to utilize the VA. The long waits and ruthless disposition of many staff employees were a direct turn off for both of them. While it is true that most VA's are understaffed, they failed to prepare for veterans returning from Iraq. They were UNDERSTAFFED before the war and unprepared to face the reality of what was ahead. My heart goes out to all veterans. Sadly, this young veteran's life could have been saved if only someone would have paid attention. SHAME ON THE VA FOR FAILING THIS YOUG MAN.

As a former VA employee, I can attest to what goes on behind the scene. VA facilities are NOT adequately staffed to handle the veteran population. They were understaffed BEFORE the war in Iraq and did a very poor job of preparing for the return of iraq veterans. My heart goes out to all veterans that are dependent upon utilizing the VA system for their healthcare. Sadly, most have no other choice. The long waits and lack of compassion are something that has been tolerated by the VA far too long.

I am the wife of a Retired First Sargent and Viet Nam Veteran. He is 100% disabled with PTSD. His story is very similiar to this young Marine. My husband was blessed to receive the assistance he needed. I feel that this VA needs to be investigated. This was a CRIMINAL act by a government entity. It is their job to take care of our Warriors. I wish he could have been closer to the wonderful VA that treats my husband. If this young man had been at our VA, he would still be here. My heart goes out to his family.