His needs are simple
As a result of some recent stories I've done on veterans having problems with the VA, I got a call from an area Vietnam-era Marine. We talked about a number of things related to his case. But the thing he said that will stay with me was this:
"I don't want the drugs. I just want to stop hurting."
I've gotten a couple -- only a couple -- of calls/e-mails from people suggesting that the veterans in the stories I've written are seeking things to which they are not entitled. That's possible, although I've seen no evidence of that. The problem is that in so many of these cases, it's impossible to tell what, exactly, they're entitled to because the VA appears not to have followed its own rules.
But whether their claims are valid or not, here's a Marine who's only asking for the one thing no one on God's earth may be able to give him.
So think about that the next time you're inclined to complain about ... well, about anything. I know I will.
Comments (1)
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I am a retired VA paychiatric social worker. While working for the VA and now in retirement, I personally have never met a combat veteran who is trying to receive a bogus benefit. In fact, many of the vets feel embarassed that they are having to ask for help when in fact, in my opinion, they are truly worthy of many of the VA benefits: physical, psychological and financial.
Let's not blame the victim, in this case, our combat veterans. In my opinion, these combat vets should automataically be entitled to an accelerated access of VA treatment and other services. They should be invited into the VA system of benefits without having to come in and apply.
Posted on January 26, 2007 11:48 AM