1. Do you feel that gays in the military will increase casualties? 2. Do you think that the POTUS should change a long standing, unofficial, practice of not sending condolence letters to the families of someone who commits suicide even if it is proven they have PTS from a war zone? 3. Do you feel that the Veterans Administration should allow smoking in certain area’s at their Medical Centers? 4. Do you think it would be wise to give all military recruits a base line MRI? 5. Do you feel that after 6 months, a V.A. or military medical board should give a claim an automatic temporary approval? 6. Do you think the V.A. should lease land to non veteran groups and not allow access to a patient? (Such as a theater) 7. Would you support training for ALL veterans caregivers? 8. Do you have any other questions or statements?
Folks I know it’s long.
But I appreciate it and who knows? Someone may even read it.
God bless
BUMP
What would you expect to find? Microchips?
I can only answer a few of them from the survivor’s view point
2. If the soldier served honorably, then the POTUS should send a condolence letter even if the soldier committed suicide. I think a larger picture for active duty soldier suicides and the impact on the families is will the military consider these suicides...line of duty death or not which has significant implications on the survivors of soldiers who commit suicide. You may have to pardon if I don’t get the terminology correct, it’s been a few years since I dealt with military terminology.
Another signficant issue is the lack of documentation in theatre for medication given to a soldier. The medics dispense medication while in theatre, but there is (was) no record keeping of what was dispensed, time frames etc. At least this was our case for soldier in theatre on an A team.
I’m wondering if next years tax laws, that include your medical coverage, is going to eliminate vets who are near top income levels for admittance.
Why does the government deduct the amount of VA disabilities pay from retired military pay? ie. concurrent receipt. It seems unfair for retired military to bear this offset that a civilian does not have to bear.
As a matter of common course, no I don't. But they should be subject to the same requirements as military married couples are currently. The same standards that apply to straight couples in the military must apply to gay couples. Same rules and regs. They ain't nothin' exceptional or special about them.
2. Do you think that the POTUS should change a long standing, unofficial, practice of not sending condolence letters to the families of someone who commits suicide even if it is proven they have PTS from a war zone?
If they were seeking treatment for said PTS, yes.
3. Do you feel that the Veterans Administration should allow smoking in certain area’s at their Medical Centers?
As a matter of fact I do think they should. I don't smoke, but if members of the military desire a cigarette they should have access to a reasonable location.
4. Do you think it would be wise to give all military recruits a base line MRI?
I don't know the latest on the use of an MRI in this fashion and am unable to comment.
5. Do you feel that after 6 months, a V.A. or military medical board should give a claim an automatic temporary approval?
Again, I am not familiar with the procedures in these matters and unable to comment.
6. Do you think the V.A. should lease land to non veteran groups and not allow access to a patient? (Such as a theater)
No comment
7. Would you support training for ALL veterans caregivers?
I am not sure how to interpret this question. I know training for the immediate family of returning Marines is provided, but is voluntary. If you mean of those who have been injured and the on-going care...yes.
8. Do you have any other questions or statements? No.
Yes, in the same way that heterosexual partners might endanger the lives of their comrades in a battlefield situation.
2. Do you think that the POTUS should change a long standing, unofficial, practice of not sending condolence letters to the families of someone who commits suicide even if it is proven they have PTS from a war zone?
I have no opinion on this.
3. Do you feel that the Veterans Administration should allow smoking in certain area’s at their Medical Centers?
Yes. And I work in a hospital and I do not nor have I ever smoked.
4. Do you think it would be wise to give all military recruits a base line MRI?
I would need to know what the purpose of the MRI would be? Are these functional MRI exams? Is it to document claims of PTS by comparing one later to a baseline? This is too open ended for me to answer.
5. Do you feel that after 6 months, a V.A. or military medical board should give a claim an automatic temporary approval?
No. But I do feel that claims should be handled as quickly and judiciously as possible, and it is evidently not happening now in all cases.
6. Do you think the V.A. should lease land to non veteran groups and not allow access to a patient? (Such as a theater)
I can see circumstances where I would say yes, and some where I would not. It all depends on the situation.
7. Would you support training for ALL veterans caregivers?
Do you mean including family members? And what kind of training, to what degree? This is an open ended question.
Ok
I am gone for tonight to revise my testimony taking your suggestions.
Please continue
I have one week left to submit and you have all been very helpful.
God bless
And may He continue to bless our troops
Our troops volunteer to risk their lives to defend the country they love and to preserve our alleged FREEDOMS. Many of our wounded have arrived at Walter Reed hanging on by the grace of God. They have lost body parts and have permanent damage to other organs. They have strange parasites and never before seen conditions that they and their top notch medical team are trying to diagnose and treat. They have been exposed to WMD – YES, I said WMD! – and many also have to deal with the rejection of their loved ones. Some have come home to a house that has been stripped bare, along with their bank account. Do you honestly think these guys give a tinker’s damn about smoking a cigarette?
Driving around WR past the back side of the hospital and seeing our wounded warriors being wheeled out in wheelchairs or hospital beds with IVs attached and piled with blankets in the middle of the winter just to have a cigarette is, or should be, a national disgrace. It is despicable to treat our heroes this way. They are not out there smoking crack for crying out loud! Meanwhile, back inside they are given every drug known to mankind and many still experimental with no documentation on the long term effects of said drugs.
When I first started visiting Walter Reed in 2005 you were permitted to smoke outside and in the breezeway at The Mologne House. If you are not familiar, the breezeway is a rather large covered walk through from one part of the building to the other. Yes, it is cold in the winter and hotter than hell in the summer, but you are out of the elements in terms of rain, snow and the beating sun. There were tables and chairs and it was the favorite hangout spot for many of our troops and their care giving family members to smoke, enjoy stimulating conversation, play cards or music and simply relax and have a good time. There was a sense of camaraderie and belonging in those days. All races and nationalities were as one as they joked and talked and SMOKED!
Then the "NO SMOKING" signs began to appear. The guys would tear them down and light up. Gradually things got worse and all ashtrays etc. were removed and formal plaques were screwed to the walls everywhere. There was a feeling of mistrust and few congregated anywhere. Many became more reclusive and uncommunicative. This only deepened the anxiety and symptoms of PTSD, IMHO. Nothing speaks fascism like walking up and seeing a double amputee, from the pelvis down, sitting in a wheelchair in the pouring down rain trying to smoke a cigarette. This man was on his third tour of duty in Iraq and they finally got him and this is how he is treated when he returns home? This is an abominable way to treat our men and women in uniform! It must end!