[Lydiaswingert]

President Barack Obama and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki met last week with Military Times and other military journalists in a bid to restore confidence in the administration’s commitment to delivering quality care to America’s veterans.

They said all the right things:

• VA should reach out to vets in need and bring them into the system.

• VA must install a comprehensive, up-to-date electronic medical records system.

• More resources must be dedicated to helping veterans with mental-health problems.

• Veterans’ health benefits will not be reduced or affected in any way as part of the national health care reform initiative.

• And it is a disservice to veterans to deny links between health problems and war-zone burn pits before all the evidence is in — just as it was premature to reject claims arising from exposure to 1950s atomic bomb tests, Agent Orange in Vietnam or toxins in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Thus far, the Obama administration has made a good-faith effort to fulfill its campaign promises by boosting VA funding and building on efforts to improve VA services.

But with new claims expected for years to come from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, VA will need still more resources in the future. The administration is going to have to demonstrate stiff political will to continue to fully fund VA.

At the same time, Obama will have to demand efficiencies and accountability that are all but countercultural within VA.

This is an opportunity to break with a sad tradition of short-changing VA and the people it serves. There can be no greater priority than truly taking care of those who have sacrificed so much for their country.

[jacknates]

First, Vets will have to help themselves, and not rely on the government. I encourage all veterans to join the American Legion - they are a strong advocate for Veteran's Rights.

Second, we need to keep in mind that many of us volunteered post-draft, and we shouldn't develop a culture of "victimhood", nor should we trust anyone to "take care of us" without taking care of ourselve's first.

Third, the best veteran's advocates are other vets. I see a lot of my Vietnam era brothers volunteering in VA and other facilities. This is not only very caring, but its also cathartic and aids in the healing of both parties.

Fourth, ALL vets should be working hard to educate themselves formally, and getting involved in government, so that someday we can return the governance of this nation to those that actually understand freedom, liberty, sacrifice, honor, duty, courage, country, and respect.

Ride On, Brothers.

[Matajic]

I think that you disagree with it just because it had something to do with the president..biased? maybe just a little.

Yeah, ignore all of the good point he brought up just because it runs counter to the president. Real intelligent.

Good post MP.

[Optosypoeds]

MPLisa,

You hit the nail on the head. If we (vet's) don't help ourselves in all those areas you discussed we are much like the welfare leeches. If the President is true to his word this post-war generation should give the best report on the VA, out of any post-war vet.

Side note: I really wish publications would stop referring to the President by just his name. I don't care if it's the current or past President's. I'm not a President Clinton fan, but to call him "Bill Clinton", takes away from the office he held for eight years. It shows a level of laziness when the writer can't add "President" in front of the office holder's name. I'm now off my soap box.

[CIAFreeAgent]

As a disbled vet and a Veteran's Service Rep for the VA, I can speak from experience when I say they VA is working very hard to try to address the needs of all veterans. My office in central Florida is 80% vetean operated with 50% of them being disabled veterans. We have so many employees that some are forced to work from home.
The problem we have is that every person that ever signed on the dotted line, regardless of washing out in boot camp or receiveing a less than honorable discharge, thinks they are entitled to benefits. Since we have to address every issue every time, no matter how many times we tell them they don't qualify, it takes away from us taking care of vets that honestly earned and need their benefits.

[Knqzjbmf]

As a 21 year active duty AF member about to retire, I truly hope this (VA) system is ready to help me. I have massive cardiac and neurological issues and can't understand why they didn't medically retire me long ago, but I'm not complaining. Would rather go out on my own terms.

I have complete medical records and even doctors who've annotated in my medical records they believe I have Gulf War Syndrome, I fear for my future with the VA. Way too many horror stories out there, but I'll make the best of it I guess.

[sesWaipunsaws]

Words from obama are meaningless, watch his actions.

[TOD4wDTQ]

Apparently Mustang you truly have no idea what the title Vet means. Otherwise your comments should not be considered as authentic since you truly do not understand what it means tobe a war veteran. Your commenst are offensive in nature and you can take care of yourself when you depart the military and see how much love you receive. As you all write Vets are losing an uphill batlle and will probably never have the same entitlements after service.

Word choice is key. I dont see anywhere that you could say that MPLisa's comments are offensive. Hes asking many vet's to man-up and stop depending on the VA for everything. Not all vets are over 40. MANY vets now are in their 20s and 30s and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. You need to get a clue and look at the broader picture and the gist of what he was talking about. The more we help ourselves, the more resources we open up for the vets that truely need help. Get over yourself, your pride is getting in the way.

[rolex-buy]

Vets!!! If you are paying taxes then you are NOT getting handouts. That's pretty much saying that individuals that are on Medicare and Medicaid (which is paid for by taxation) are getting handouts. A handout is something I can get for free without having to pay anyone back. According to Mirriam-Webster a handout is defined as: a portion of food, clothing, or money given to or as if to a begger. There are vets who milk the system just as there are civilians that milk the hell out of Medicaid and Medicare. The VA system was not prepared for the extensive case loads and casualites from OIF/OEF. The VA didn't get like this in the last few months and it won't be fixed in the next few months. When you sign up for the military you are told of all the benefits you receive for serving. When I'm no longer on active duty I would expect for them to hold up their end of the deal. I hope when PIOXEN is done serving on active duty he or she receives the benefits he or she is entitled to. Many young vets are capable of taking care of themselves just as many of the aren't. There are individuals who have lost limbs, mental stability from someting that they have seen, lost sight of reality, and additional issues due to FOW. Some of them are homeless. And to say they brought it upon themselves really shows your lack of intelligence. A Marine I served with saw a body get cut in half( I didn't witness it). He maintains a job, takes care of his family and takes a shit load of meds. We were getting beers for a party when a giant dump truck passed by. He needed a little bit of time to get his senses together because it sound similar to the 7 ton. Some homeless vets aren't so lucky. Now there are vets who are homeless due to just not wanting to get a damn job. BUT to group ALL vets that are homeless as deserving of being homeless is CRAZY. To the service members that do not hold up there end of the bargain and get a dishonorable discharge shouldn't get SH)&. The government can't do everything for but what little they can do for me I'll take it.(because I held up my end of the deal). MPLIsa you stated,"Fourth, ALL vets should be working hard to educate themselves formally, and getting involved in government, so that someday we can return the governance of this nation to those that actually understand freedom, liberty, sacrifice, honor, duty, courage, country, and respect". When you say return the governance of this nation to those that actually understand freedom, liberty, etc. is implying that the country was taken away by those who don't understand freedom, liberty, etc. The American voters decided who would run this nation. Our country wasn't taken by anyone. It's called a Democracy. I gave our former Commander-and-Chief President Bush the benefit of doubt(I did vote for). I will give the current Commander-and-Chief President Obama the same courtesy until he proves otherwise. Someone on here stated that words from Obama are meaningless. Unfortunately that statement applies to all politicians. It's natural for older vets and younger vets to be divided(generation gap). My grandfather served and our views differ.

[alex_loudermilk]

As a disbled vet and a Veteran's Service Rep for the VA, I can speak from experience when I say they VA is working very hard to try to address the needs of all veterans. My office in central Florida is 80% vetean operated with 50% of them being disabled veterans. We have so many employees that some are forced to work from home.
The problem we have is that every person that ever signed on the dotted line, regardless of washing out in boot camp or receiveing a less than honorable discharge, thinks they are entitled to benefits. Since we have to address every issue every time, no matter how many times we tell them they don't qualify, it takes away from us taking care of vets that honestly earned and need their benefits.

my experience with disabled vets ( only ! dept in one major VA hospital) was a disaster--what makes you think that a disabled vet is sensitive to the needs of other disabled vets?--you would think it is true but not to my experience--keep in mind that the VA answers to 3 groups, military, gov,vets- no independant examiner like JACHO examines the VA system--as a VET I consider the VA hospital system primarily a political organization. The sooner the VA system shuts down and uses private hospitals the better we will be.
one mans opinion

[ceagsoosy]

As a 21 year active duty AF member about to retire, I truly hope this (VA) system is ready to help me. I have massive cardiac and neurological issues and can't understand why they didn't medically retire me long ago, but I'm not complaining. Would rather go out on my own terms.

I have complete medical records and even doctors who've annotated in my medical records they believe I have Gulf War Syndrome, I fear for my future with the VA. Way too many horror stories out there, but I'll make the best of it I guess.

as a Physician Assistant who has worked in the VA I suggest you ssdpend a lot of time informing yourself about your medical conditions--read the medical litterature and only literature written by people who actually ttreat them--if you dont do 50% of the work then it's a game.--hope things work out for you

[DavidQD]

Vets need to help themselves!! Not get damn handowns from the government. The government can't do everything for you. I have no sympathy for veterans that are homeless. They brought it upon themselves. These kind got lazy after their sevice and this is the result homelessness. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. This is not a communist state!!

I agree vets need to help themselves but your blaming ALL homeless veterans as lazy because they are homeless is repugnant.

You've obviously never worked with post-service veterans, especially those in crisis or you would know better than to make such an insulting and disparaging statement.

I feel sorry for you usaman.

One Old Vet

[CGH1KZzy]

Vets need to help themselves!! Not get damn handowns from the government. The government can't do everything for you. I have no sympathy for veterans that are homeless. They brought it upon themselves. These kind got lazy after their sevice and this is the result homelessness. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. This is not a communist state!!

Get a fucking grip, you have absolutely no clue, educate yourself, read post number two of this post, if you need any help, jesus help us.... lol

.

[juidizHusw]

Lisa, you bring up a lot of good points that I have been writing about for a LONG time on my military blog. I was saying it under Bush and I'll say it under Obama. At what point will "service" no longer be a part of military service? Not only have we succumbed to the culture of victimhood but also the culture of entitlement! The military has always been about self-sustainability and yet we keep asking for others to do everything for us. The government will never be able to help us as much as we can help each other!

CJ

First, Vets will have to help themselves, and not rely on the government. I encourage all veterans to join the American Legion - they are a strong advocate for Veteran's Rights.

Second, we need to keep in mind that many of us volunteered post-draft, and we shouldn't develop a culture of "victimhood", nor should we trust anyone to "take care of us" without taking care of ourselve's first.

Third, the best veteran's advocates are other vets. I see a lot of my Vietnam era brothers volunteering in VA and other facilities. This is not only very caring, but its also cathartic and aids in the healing of both parties.

Fourth, ALL vets should be working hard to educate themselves formally, and getting involved in government, so that someday we can return the governance of this nation to those that actually understand freedom, liberty, sacrifice, honor, duty, courage, country, and respect.

Ride On, Brothers.

[Loopyjr]

Vets need to help themselves!! Not get damn handowns from the government. The government can't do everything for you. I have no sympathy for veterans that are homeless. They brought it upon themselves. These kind got lazy after their sevice and this is the result homelessness. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. This is not a communist state!!

Let me get this straight....you don't think a veteran with a service connected disability should get any help from the very government that caused it? What the hell is a "handown" anyway? Is that a new word you created? You obviously never served in the military. If you had, you would show a little more respect for those that sometimes sacrificed everything for YOUR freedoms. I'm sure video games don't teach honor or respect though, so I guess you'll never have a clue.

[infollafago]

hawk71049 you could not have said it better. Namvet15m25id I'm glad you sought treament and glad you are alive to tell the story. People fail to realize the services troops are receiving are not handouts or freebies. We pay for it by taxation. I pretty much thought this thread was a slap in the face to those who took the oath. It's another reason why some who have PTSD do not seek treatment. The notion that they are faking or "there's nothing wrong with you, suck it up" deters people from getting the help they need. The American Legion is a superb organization but it's not the only organization that is an advocate for vets. A vet with a service connected disability should demand treatment and not stop until they get it. This is not a handout. There are post on this thread that really highlights the lack of brain juice that some people have.

[Glipseagrilia]

Does America really want Obama Care? Let them try to make an appointment thru
the Government Run Military health system. Broke leg, Motrin. Flu, motrin. Lost of limb, Motrin. now wait for a phone call to get a refferrel to a real Dr downtown, still in pain, Motrin. Motrin=Military candy. Obama might be the CINC, but I do not respect him, just the office and title. Geees, wish McCain would've won.......

[Hlennisal]

Does America really want Obama Care? Let them try to make an appointment thru
the Government Run Military health system. Broke leg, Motrin. Flu, motrin. Lost of limb, Motrin. now wait for a phone call to get a refferrel to a real Dr downtown, still in pain, Motrin. Motrin=Military candy. Obama might be the CINC, but I do not respect him, just the office and title. Geees, wish McCain would've won.......

While it would have been nice for the lesser of two evils to be in office, McCain is not all that better as for policies - the only good quality I cared for in him was he served in the military... He would not have done as good as he did had it not been for Palin on the ticket. Obama in office might turn out to be a good thing; many complacent and sleeping Americans have woken up to government atrocities and it is about time. Had McCain won, Americans probably would have continued to be complacent, uninformed, and uninvolved. Remember, while is was Democrats who caused the collapse, it was Bush that pushed and initially sunk the free market with bailouts...