Posted on 03/01/2005 7:22:10 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
In the early days of Vietnam I commanded a 150 Marine replacement unit arriving in country by ship. As we entered port the ship's Captain summoned me and ordered a perimeter established around the Seabee compound where we docked. It had been receiving probing attacks by the Viet Cong.
When the unit was in position I called my four Staff NCOs and told them to move up and down the line all night to keep everyone alert and their spirits high. I reminded them these were very young Marines and that they had never heard a shot fired in anger.
One Staff Sergeant gave me a funny look and then asked, "Who is going to keep our spirits high? We've never heard a shot fired in anger either." It was then I realized I was the only combat veteran in the unit. All were very young men.
Traditionally, we send our youngest, bravest and best off to war. Why? Well, it is understood they are among the most physically fit of our citizens. The young are easy to train. They develop strong loyalties, accept the commands of their leaders, and wear patriotism as if it were body armor.
From birth they have been taught to accept the words or promises of parents, teachers, coaches...anyone in a position of authority. So, it follows they accept the word of their government as carved in stone.
The politicos of our country have historically taken advantage of our service personnel. All of the "Washington In Crowd" understands those who serve in uniform are politically naïve and can be spoon fed most of that beltway blather without any questioning.
The political game of promise...then promise again. Delay...then delay again goes on and on and on.
Because of their faith...their sense of duty...their love of country, these brave young people risk everything, including their lives. Many who make it through the horrors of war carry scars for life, including disabilities far beyond the understanding of the average citizen.
They return home expecting a grateful nation to honor all those pledges and promises...only to find they were just pawns in a never ending political shell game.
Military retirees were promised earned health care for life, only to find they were given a substandard pseudo-insurance plan that most doctors wouldn't honor.
As they reached the twilight years of their life, retirees found health care did improve, but they were still forced to pay for and accept Medicare, when they had been promised their medical needs would be fully funded by the government.
Widows of military retirees thought their spouses had provided a solid survivor benefit, by paying for years into a program that assured a significant portion of retired pay would continue after death. Then widows discovered the government reduces that benefit when they reach the age where they qualify for Social Security.
From the early days of World War II veterans were promised that any and all service related health issues would be treated by the best of modern medicine. Instead, they were given sub standard VA hospitals and clinics, long lines, and the denial of many medical claims.
Veterans who so valiantly participated in the many atomic tests conducted by the United States were among those promised quality care. Some of them have been waiting 30 years and longer to have their claims approved.
The federal government is still moving those shells around for disabled retirees who endure a dollar per dollar deduction from their retired pay to cover their disability compensation. After more than 100 years of cheating military retirees, the disability compensation offset is being removed. However, most of the disabled fall under a ten-year phase-in provision of the law. This means all but a sprinkling of World War II retired veterans and most of the Korean War disabled military retirees will have heard the final sounding of Taps before the first check is written - another move in the political shell game.
Once this nation saw three out of every four members of Congress come from the ranks of military veterans. Today only 35 of 100 Senators have worn the uniform of this country. In the House of Representatives only 119 out of 435 can boast being veterans. This is a smaller percentage of veterans than is found in the national population. With so few lawmakers even understanding the needs of veterans, getting legislation passed to honor the promises of long ago is extremely difficult.
Added to the mix is a Defense Department that views every tax dollar as its private property. Dr. David Chu, a despicable individual, who serves as an Under Secretary of Defense, spends his time giving false testimony denying that promises were made to veterans and military retirees. It is his job to make unsubstantiated claims or send up trial balloons for the Defense Department and the Administration. If there are few screams of rage, another move can be made in the political shell game.
Some members of Congress are truly engaged in the fight to get those many false promises converted into law. But, even they must fight a majority of their members who have no understanding of the military, see nothing wrong with breaking one's word and really believe political shell games are a normal way of life. Just as on the carnival midway, the only winners in that game are the ones moving those shells.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.
PING!
Amen!
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