“As we express our gratitude,

We must never forget

That the highest appreciation is not to utter words,

But to live by them.” 

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Having worked for the federal government

For nearly 30 very long and very brutal years

I still wonder why we continue to fail our vets

And every Veterans Day this brings a few tears

I always thought that our job was to assist them

And to get them all the benefits that they were due

But many bureaucrats and politicians in DC seem to believe

That saving the government money is what the VA should do

While our leaders proclaim they’ve increased vet benefits

They are very skilled in placing money in one veteran pot

While at the very same time removing it from another

And this has never truly helped our valiant veterans a lot

When they proclaim that VA medical benefits have been increased

They soon maneuver to curtail combat pay or VA nursing home beds

When they announce that VA compensation payments have been increased

They brazenly reduce VA mental health care professional staff with no dread

Our government leaders never seem to hesitate very much at all

Awarding billion dollar defense contracts and oil company subsidies

But when it comes time to sufficiently fund the many veteran programs

The gigantic government money well always seems to dry up in DC

Many people even believe that VA employees are to blame

For the poor quality of care in many of our VA hospitals

But after visiting at least 150 of them in my long career

I would have to say it is not the dedicated staff’s fault at all

Quality medical care and just compensation takes a lot of money

And we must all start to demand that these funds are finally paid

For each of the valiant soldiers and veterans from every U.S. campaign

Deserve all the help we can give them for the great sacrifices they’ve made

Bureaucratic plans are already underway to close even more veteran hospitals

Many veterans from Iraq are already forlornly residing in shelters for the homeless

A great number of these vets are also suffering from post traumatic stress disorder

And without adequate help this could truly escalate into another Vietnam like mess

We usually cheer them all off to war

And we applaud them while they’re there

Yet when many of them finally return home

The help they need just can’t be found anywhere

Please take the time to contact your politicians and legislators

And demand that all of our veterans finally receive their just due

Each and every U.S. veteran from each and every U.S. campaign

Deserves at least that much from us - and I know they’ll thank you

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks; have difficulty sleeping; and feel detached or estranged.  And these symptoms can be severe enough, and last long enough, to significantly impair the person's daily life.

PTSD is marked by biological changes as well as psychological symptoms and is also complicated by the fact that it frequently occurs in conjunction with related disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health. This disorder is also associated with impairment of the person's ability to function in social or family situations, including occupational instability; marital problems and divorce; family discord; and difficulties in parenting.

Studies have shown that at least 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD. An additional 20 to 25 percent have had partial PTSD at some point in their lives. And more than half of all male Vietnam veterans and almost half of all female Vietnam veterans have experienced "clinically serious stress reaction symptoms."  PTSD has also been diagnosed among veterans of the Gulf War, and now, it sadly plagues our Iraq veterans, too.

“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” 

Please Click on the Link Below under The News Section for Additional Information