News-Record.com

I was discharged from the Marine Corps in August 1964 with a hearing disability. I had been a member of the Hawaiian Marine Rifle and Pistol, team. I shot over 100 rounds a day 5 days a week and competed on weekends. I won a 10000 yard match at Scoffield Barracks in October of 1963. I was destined to be on the famed scout and sniper platoon. I was following in the footsteps of famed marine sniper Gunnery Sgt, Carlos Hathcock. He left the team just three months before I joined. I was derailed by a routine physical when they discoved that I had developed a nerve damage in my ears. I spent the final six months of my career in the Great Lakes Naval Hospital.
I was discharged with 20% diability for hearing loss. They gave me $900 severance pay and I thought that was it. I found out several years later I could file for disability, but the catch was I would have to repay the original $900. My first checks were $50.00 a month. My hearing got progressively worse, but there was nothing they could do. Hearing aids don't help nerve damaged hearinng. A few years back I applied for a upgrade in my disability. After about a year I was upgraded to 30%. Big deal.
During that time I suffered a stroke, cancer and a torn left knee tendon. The ortho clinic wouldn't do anything for two years and then they decided I was to get injections in my knee. It didn't help a little bit. By favoring my left knee I developed advanced arthritis in my right knee. I have fell numerous times, resulting in both rotator cups torn, a high fracture in my right shoulder along with a slab fracture in the same shoulder. I was told that the reason I couldn't get my knee worked on was because the goverment only allowed for 8 to 10 knee operations a month. I am gradually becoming where I can't walk at all. But still they do nothing.
Our wonderful State Pepresentive Anne Northrup tells us about her advances in getting a new hospital built, but in the meantime, we veterns go without care. It is time that someone told Bush and his cronies that while he is making veterns in record numbers, ne should think about fixing some of our aces and pains.