MEMORIES OF YESTERDAY I’m an American sitting over here in Africa with arthritic knees that need replacing. This is a procedure that the VA refused to do for me on our last furlough, after begging the surgeon to help me stay mobile, in order to care for my wife and continue my service to the Lord, until my mind catches up with my body. My dissatisfaction with the system increases, when I think about an African sitting in the White House and giving our money away to enemies and illegals. Oh, the VA instructs everyone on their staff to say, “thank you for your service,” but they are so ‘cash strapped’ due to the drain and waste from Washington that they will avoid helping you unless your co-pay is substantial! I was even told by doctors and staff members that I was eligible for disability due to my combat injuries; but all I received was a pat on the back and a kick out the door! Oh by the way, since I am on a roll! Our government owes me a Purple Heart and a Navy/Marine Corps Medal that I plan to pursue when I get home. I never cared much about any perceived injustices until I found out that the VA considers these awards ‘Brownie Points’ for medical care, home financing, and other earned benefits. I’m ‘fed up’ with foreigners milking our system, while I stand on the outside, holding a hat in my hand and looking in through the window. After being blown out of a bunker, a Colonel visited my bedside at 101st Army Hospital, Yokohama, Japan, with Dick Butkus and a man named Webster from the Chicago Bears. The officer said he would return with my Purple Heart, but the company he was keeping must have distracted him from coming back, and making the proper entry into my service record. I was also recommended for the Bronze Star with the 26th Marines just prior to being medivaced out of the country, but since we were not under direct enemy fire at the time, my Commanding Officer changed the citation to the Navy/Marine Corps Medal, according to his yeoman. The 26th Marines took their standard home, leaving unfinished personnel business while I was in the hospital, and so once again I was forgotten by the time I returned to the Nam for a second tour. I have always felt guilty that I survived when others did not, and never considered my actions any more than what was expected of me, as a sworn duty. But enough is enough and my pseudo-humility makes me and my family the losers! I will be contacting my State Representatives and the Defence Department. I received an email a couple of weeks ago from a friend in California, also with the 1st Marine Division, who received a report from a corpsman in Oakland, verifying these ‘heroic actions’ using his words; but I will just say, ‘historic’ details. I’m not bitter, just reporting the facts! I love you all, but if you don’t like today’s post… go and write something on your own wall! It’s called freedom of speech and I earned the right for both me and you! I am hopelessly surrounded by incompetence and I am calling in an all-out ‘Broken Arrow’ strike against silence! Feeling a little frustrated today! PTSS! VISIT US NauglesToAfrica
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:10:51 +0000