Don't judge a Vet by appearances

I am deeply concerned about how my fellow Veterans are being treated and the results of this lack of support.

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), formerly called "shell shock" has long term effects. It is commonly known that many of our Vets who have served/experienced Vietnam have had trouble adjusting to life following their return from combat areas. When I was sent to 'Nam, I knew that I only had to be there for one year, and wouldn't be back, unless voluntarily.

I was 'young and foolish' back then and was enjoying the 'experience' of my assignment, so I asked to stay an additional 6 months. Little did I know how that might come back to haunt me, decades later.

Presently, we have troops that are being sent back to a war zone, over and over and over again.

This does not bode well. Look at the news headlines about the sad incidents that are being reported about troops who have 'cracked' over their constant exposure to combat. They did not have the 'relief' of serving just one tour of combat assignment, they keep going back time after time.

If you think the issues of Vietnam Veterans who are afflicted with PTSD, after only one tour are bad, just wait to see the results that our current veterans will display following recurring deployment into 'hell!'

Some of us are getting the help that is needed, as long as the $$$$ are there, but even that might be cut short by budget cuts. Imagine the amount of money which will be needed by our current 'Heroes?'

Will it continue? I personally pray that our service members of all ages will not be ignored, as I and my fellow Veterans were when we came home.

Don't abandon us!

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Guest Blogger

A friend sent me this, and I could not have said it better, so I am posting her comments here, as a guest blogger (Thank you, Jo!).

Okay, I need to rant.


I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.


Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to
hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?


Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America . Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"


I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people
can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.


Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it.


Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that others may live..."

Well said.

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The "NEW" GM?

Since we, the consumers & U.S. Citizens own the "NEW" General Motors, really shouldn't it be CM, for Citizen Motors?

Should that be the case, who do I talk to about getting a really good deal and a special discount? I would like a metallic blue Camaro SS, with delivery next week. Please load it with all the options, and bill me.

Thank you.

C.O.G.

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Remember, INDEPENDENCE Day!

Have a Happy Fourth of July, and keep in mind the independence we have due to democracy. It may not be the best form of government, but it is the best we have. I wouldn't want it any other way.

We should be thankful of our freedom and not take it for granted; after all, citizens of other countries want what we have. This is evident by all those individuals who enter our country illegally.

Enjoy the holiday, keep safe, and remember all our patriots and heroes who gave unselfishly of themselves.

"Home of the FREE, Because of the BRAVE."

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