USO Canteen FReeper Style....Veterans Never Forgotten.......July 7,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Scuttlebutt]

Here's a site that lists some of the available veteran's benefits by states and territories in addition to the federal gubmint's. It also provides links to other related sites.

Director of Veteran Affairs by State

[Victoria Delsoul]

Yep, that's you. LOL

When I met you I had... Shattered Dreams

Johnny Hates Jazz

[SAMWolf]

<===Mash This

Shattered Dreams and Broken Hearts, what a pair!

[summer]

bttt

[SAMWolf]

Remember Veterans With More Than Ceremonies

May 10, 2002, Our country’s commitment to the men and women who died to secure our freedoms is recalled every Memorial Day in ceremonies and speeches. Our commitment to the veteran who fought and lived should be no less remembered – and we do that by honoring the promises we made.
One promise was a guarantee of health care. Unfortunately, our government is not doing very well at honoring that promise, and that is something I am fighting to see changed.

This year the president has asked for $22.7 billion for medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Make no mistake, that is a considerable amount of money, but an independent review of needs by veterans organizations has highlighted how that is $1.8 billion short of where we should be.

In January, Congress received the Independent Budget, an annual report prepared by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars. These respected organizations know and have the interest of veterans at heart, so their report is a guidepost for congressional deliberations over veterans issues.

Most disturbing is the report’s note that the underfunding of VA facilities have resulted in significant waiting lists for veterans entering the system. Even severely disabled veterans are having to wait for health care services. VA hospitals are having to absorb cuts they can ill afford.

Veterans in Middle Tennessee have told me about having to endure long waits for even basic services. VA nurses and other dedicated employees have told me about this, too. Their complaints are verified by the statistical evidence showing the national backlog of veterans’ cases awaiting decisions for service. Undecided cases more than 180 days old rose from 172,294 to 204,006 from October 2001 to January 2002.

Service delayed is no service at all if your health worsens because you had to wait months to see a doctor.

To help resolve the problem, the Independent Budget calls for $24.5 billion to catch up with past year shortfalls and put veterans care on a healthy road.

Spending per veteran has declined since 1994 from almost $7,500 to less than $5,750. This is both because more veterans are coming into the system and budgets are not keeping up.

In response, I am supporting efforts to secure an amount that will meet the needs of the veterans health-care system. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee recommended $24.5 billion, but disappointingly the House Budget Committee called for $23.9 billion.

Later this year Congress will appropriate money based on all these recommendations. I intend to fight for the realistic totals endorsed by the veterans organizations and the House Veterans’ Committee.

Our nation is locked in a war against terrorism and again is calling on its young men and women to stand on the front line of freedom. When they look to us, they need to see that we are honoring the promises made to generations of soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Sen. Bart Gordon(D - Tenn)

[SAMWolf]

We Will Remember"
by J.B. (Bunny) Dempsey
Chatham, New Brunswick

Medals Flashing In The Sun
Reminders 0f Past Deeds Done.
Pinned In Rows On A Chest
For Love 0f County He Did His Best.

Now White-Haired And Wrinkled Face
In Legion Garb He Stands In Place
Recalling Memories 0f His Youth
He And Comrades Fought For Truth.

The Bugle Sounds the "Last Post"
With Eyes Closed He Sees A Ghost;
A Comrade Killed In The Fray
Vividly Recalls As If Today.

Battled On Through The Days And Nights
So The Weak And Unborn Would Have Rights
Remember Your Brother Now In Prayer
But Don't Forget Why He Was There!

Proud 0f Country And Native Sons
A Peaceful People Slow To Guns.
The Eleventh Day of November
You Who Served "We Will Remember".

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great song!

The truth is that, you rock my world.

[SAMWolf]

Almost all of us are off on Sunday.

But before you head out to church, flip on a football game, take your kids to their soccer matches, hit the malls or however else you fill your Sundays, take a minute to reflect about the sacrifices of those who fought and in many cases died so that we'd have the freedom to do all of those aforementioned things.

Think, too, of the soldiers and sailors involved and still to be involved in the current battle against terrorism. All of them volunteered to serve their country. Both the veterans and today's troops deserve our undying gratitude. The least we can do is think of them today.

[SAMWolf]

<=== Mash This

HeHeHe

[Victoria Delsoul]

You aint seen nothing yet.

That's right, so come on over, baby!

[SAMWolf]

The preceding "Battle of the DJ's" has been brought to you by Victoria Delsoul and SamWolf.

See the Main Event at the USO Canteen Beach Party on July,13th

[SAMWolf]

Yes it is.

Unfortunately my enjoyment Saxaphone music was spoiled by a certain scum sucking ex-President.

[Victoria Delsoul]

The party promises to be a great success, lots of fun and music

Hope to see you all there.

Ciao baby! Til we see again… this is Victoria and Sam your favorite DJ's.

Love ya!

We'll be right back……don't go anywhere!

Ricky Martin, Shake Your Bon-Bon

[Angelique]

Thanks for posting the photo and the commemeration. What a difference a President makes.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Service delayed is no service at all if your health worsens because you had to wait months to see a doctor."

1000 WWII Vets die each day.
I wonder how many each day are because of lack of medical care.

[lodwick]

TobyKeith Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue

[lodwick]

Shameless - GarthBrooks

[redhead]

WOW!! Snow Bunny, this is an AWESOME tribute! Oh, it breaks my heart to think of all who have fought and died for the rest of us, of all who were maimed and crippled struggling to keep us free! Oh, dear veterans, how can we thank you ENOUGH??