VA Should Not Be Its Own Entity (Part 1)

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should not be its own entity; especially the VA Claims.  It seems like it’s one big money laundering scheme for the private sector.   Full disclosure, I’m a Veteran and this is about me and other veterans who have gone through the system only to be denied by people who have never served in the actual military a day in their life.

This is going to be a post that damn well might turn into an eBook because that’s how much I have to say about this matter and how salty the “system” can make you feel.  And I hope every Service Member who has ever served thinks about this for themselves and for future Service Members.

Let’s explore a few things.

Of the approximate 331,441,281 plus Americans identified in the 2020 Census, less than 50 million have served in any branch of service over the history of the country.  I found this Census Bureau pdf about Veterans very interesting.  In one section it mentions a “Declining size of the veteran population“…  Let’s just say what it is.  They are DYING off, many without proper care or concern.  These folks were Service Members to the Armed Forces of the United States of America.  They should have never been shuffled off to the VA, just to be shuffled off to someone else.  In my opinion, the military has a duty and responsibility to anyone who raised their right hand to serve; regardless if it was for 20 years or 20 minutes.

It’s amazing how much money goes into the military budget.  They have found a place for lots of equipment,  contractors, and special organizations of all sorts, but dole off the ones who actually served.  It’s no wonder some people have a bitterness when they leave the military, and that needs to be fixed.

If Veterans were given the actual money that was put into supporting and operating the Veteran’s Administration personnel and facilities, would alone solve most of their issues.  That coupled with access to the military’s medical system and local providers would be a game changer and would more than likely create a win-win solution for both Veterans and their local communities.

There still need to be drastic changes made in support of Veterans, and it needs to start now.  No form of PTSD or any other mental disorder, or injury, should be belittled; so imagine the magnitude of difference in the amount of PTSD civilians claim they’ve had because of adjustments they’ve had to make because COVID– versus the amount of stress ALL Service Members go through with basic training, then training and preparation for deployments and then actually being deployed!

Our priorities are wrong in this country and we need to start looking more after our citizens, Veterans and Service Members.

There is something Wrong with How Government Deals with Veterans

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Image: MilitaryLogos from a government site.

And why are veterans disjointed from the military (for the most part) once they separate or retire?  The same energy should go into supporting Veterans directly by the military when they leave, as you had to get us to join.  Everybody sees the “big picture”.  So, you should lead by example.  Read More

Military Veterans Resource Center, Columbus OH

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image of Columbus Ohio Veteran Resource Center posterI was in Columbus, OH visiting over the holidays and ran across a great resource for Military Veterans when I went for a walk in ‘teen-degree weather.  It’s called the Military Veterans Resource Center.   I was only planning to stop in for a minute to check out what the employment situation was in the local market and to perhaps hand out a few cards to local merchants.

It was absolutely a treasure find of information and the Veterans Services Specialist who assisted me was very helpful and knowledgeable.  I think this would be a great resource for veterans in the local area; and other veterans should visit their web site: http://milvetsrc.org .  Some of the services they offer and provide are counseling, information about Veteran services, and they operate a food bank.  They have several locations in Ohio (Columbus, Chillicothe, Dayton and Hamilton), and although hours of operation may vary between locations, I believe they are open during weekdays.  Telephone numbers are listed on the site for each location.  You can call before visiting to make sure you can be assisted.

For me it was a great experience.  (I think I’d like to get involved with organizations and agencies like this as part of my career change.)   I believe any Veteran needing help can probably find it at a center like this –or at the very least be pointed in the right direction.