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I usually speak about things that I have personally experienced. So I'll say right away, I am not a veteran. Though I do come
from a family of veterans. My Dad was in World War II and was in The Battle of The Bulge. My father-in-law also was in World
War II serving in the Pacific Theater. I had one brother who served in Vietnam and another who was a Vietnam Era Veteran.
But watching my father-in-law "battle" the VA for a number of years, my impression of the veteran and the present day
serviceman has changed. They deserve our respect and admiration.
from a family of veterans. My Dad was in World War II and was in The Battle of The Bulge. My father-in-law also was in World
War II serving in the Pacific Theater. I had one brother who served in Vietnam and another who was a Vietnam Era Veteran.
But watching my father-in-law "battle" the VA for a number of years, my impression of the veteran and the present day
serviceman has changed. They deserve our respect and admiration.
Class Action Suit against the VA...
I watched my father-in-law battle the VA for years for healthcare he should have received with no argument. But it was never
this way. I'm glad to see that some veterans are taking a stance against the VA and making our government keep their word.
Stated on line 56 of the suit;
At no time in U.S. military history have large number of troops been required to serve on the front line in any war for a period
of six to seven months, let alone a year or more, without a significant break to recover from physical, psychological, and
emotional demands that ensue from combat. During WWII entire units were withdrawn from the line for months at a time to
rest and recuperate. Even during Vietnam week long combat patrols in the field were typically followed by several days of
rest and recuperation at a base camp.
Did you know people who file claims get incentive pay for finding reasons to deny payment or services? It's a lot of reading
but if you're a veteran or know a veteran take the time to read through it all. These men and women have served and
continue to serve this country with honor. Let's make our country honor their word!
Class action suit against the VA (PDF file)
I watched my father-in-law battle the VA for years for healthcare he should have received with no argument. But it was never
this way. I'm glad to see that some veterans are taking a stance against the VA and making our government keep their word.
Stated on line 56 of the suit;
At no time in U.S. military history have large number of troops been required to serve on the front line in any war for a period
of six to seven months, let alone a year or more, without a significant break to recover from physical, psychological, and
emotional demands that ensue from combat. During WWII entire units were withdrawn from the line for months at a time to
rest and recuperate. Even during Vietnam week long combat patrols in the field were typically followed by several days of
rest and recuperation at a base camp.
Did you know people who file claims get incentive pay for finding reasons to deny payment or services? It's a lot of reading
but if you're a veteran or know a veteran take the time to read through it all. These men and women have served and
continue to serve this country with honor. Let's make our country honor their word!
Class action suit against the VA (PDF file)
Poem read at new veterans park
On Veterans Day 2005, my poem Men (And Women) of Closter was read at the
christening of a new veterans park, in my home town of Closter, NJ. Howard Bartholf,
a former resident and Vietnam veteran did me the honor of reading the poem, in my
absence. Click on the picture to the right, to read my poem and see the
proclamation written by Bartholf, proclaiming November 11, 2005 as Closter Vietnam
Era Veterans Day.
On Veterans Day 2005, my poem Men (And Women) of Closter was read at the
christening of a new veterans park, in my home town of Closter, NJ. Howard Bartholf,
a former resident and Vietnam veteran did me the honor of reading the poem, in my
absence. Click on the picture to the right, to read my poem and see the
proclamation written by Bartholf, proclaiming November 11, 2005 as Closter Vietnam
Era Veterans Day.
Letter from John Kerry
Some of my writings have dealt with VA issues. One was written on Veterans Day of 2003. While the other was written
during the 2004 presidential campaign. John Kerry asked people to send their stories to him about veteran issues. These
two letters, along with over 3,000 other stories from people around the country, made it to the Senate floor. You can read
his response at the end of both articles.
Some of my writings have dealt with VA issues. One was written on Veterans Day of 2003. While the other was written
during the 2004 presidential campaign. John Kerry asked people to send their stories to him about veteran issues. These
two letters, along with over 3,000 other stories from people around the country, made it to the Senate floor. You can read
his response at the end of both articles.
Christmas in Iraq...
Please take the time to read the Christmas in Iraq article I wrote about an e-mail exchange between a father and his son.
Hopefully, next Christmas everyone of these soldiers will be home for the holidays.
Please take the time to read the Christmas in Iraq article I wrote about an e-mail exchange between a father and his son.
Hopefully, next Christmas everyone of these soldiers will be home for the holidays.
Ryan's Dad has shared with me their story. A story of family
and pride in the jobs they do. To read more of these
exchanges between a father and his son, please click here to
read all the Letters From Iraq.
and pride in the jobs they do. To read more of these
exchanges between a father and his son, please click here to
read all the Letters From Iraq.
| Ryan - the "main man" in the Letters From Iraq |
| Ryan's job Apache Longbow pilot |
Freedom Day...
I received the following e-mail from Ryan's Dad on September 20th, 2007.
"Thought I would share this with you for what it is worth. Forty years ago tomorrow on Thursday 21 September 1967 I
arrived back home at my parents home in New Jersey from Vietnam. I call it my "Freedom Day". I left my unit in Vietnam
on the 17th of September and flew to Camh Ranh Bay where I waited for my turn to get on the big silver "Freedom Bird" as
we called it, back to the states. I caught that bird on the 19th and flew to Fort Lewis Washington (Seattle). I arrived there
late at night and went through customs and was processed for a new uniform and further assignment following my thirty
days leave. There was a huge building with hundreds of ladies working all night sewing and tailoring uniforms. I went in
one side in my combat gear and came out the other with a brand new dress uniform complete with stripes and medals
affixed. As it was late, I had to spend the night at the Seattle airport sleeping in a room set up with bunks by the Red
Cross. Early the next morning (the 20th) I was off for my trip back home to the East Coast. On the way back East, I
stopped to see my sister at the University of Oklahoma. When I pulled up in the cab in front of her dorm, I was met by my
sister and some friends who promptly told me I had to get out of my uniform quickly as it was to dangerous for me to be
seen in it due to the anti-war protests going on campus. I had to borrow civilian clothes from my sisters male friends as I
had nothing but my uniform. Needless to say, I got out of Norman Oklahoma early the next morning and headed home. I
arrived late that night at the airport in NYC and was met by my parents and my girl friend Janet (now my wife). I will never
forget my mother running out to the plane as I stepped off. It was a very emotional and wonderful reunion.. I swore the
day I left Vietnam that nothing would ever get me down like that experience again and despite bumps along the road of life
nothing has. Now, I have a son in Iraq and I know what my parents went through so many years ago. I also make it a point
to thank a service person for his service to our country no matter where I see him or her. It only takes me a minute to stick
out my hand and say "THANKS FOR SERVING". So, now you all know why I will be smiling all day tomorrow, no matter
what the day may throw at me. Thanks for letting me share this memory. Life is good....."
H-----
I received the following e-mail from Ryan's Dad on September 20th, 2007.
"Thought I would share this with you for what it is worth. Forty years ago tomorrow on Thursday 21 September 1967 I
arrived back home at my parents home in New Jersey from Vietnam. I call it my "Freedom Day". I left my unit in Vietnam
on the 17th of September and flew to Camh Ranh Bay where I waited for my turn to get on the big silver "Freedom Bird" as
we called it, back to the states. I caught that bird on the 19th and flew to Fort Lewis Washington (Seattle). I arrived there
late at night and went through customs and was processed for a new uniform and further assignment following my thirty
days leave. There was a huge building with hundreds of ladies working all night sewing and tailoring uniforms. I went in
one side in my combat gear and came out the other with a brand new dress uniform complete with stripes and medals
affixed. As it was late, I had to spend the night at the Seattle airport sleeping in a room set up with bunks by the Red
Cross. Early the next morning (the 20th) I was off for my trip back home to the East Coast. On the way back East, I
stopped to see my sister at the University of Oklahoma. When I pulled up in the cab in front of her dorm, I was met by my
sister and some friends who promptly told me I had to get out of my uniform quickly as it was to dangerous for me to be
seen in it due to the anti-war protests going on campus. I had to borrow civilian clothes from my sisters male friends as I
had nothing but my uniform. Needless to say, I got out of Norman Oklahoma early the next morning and headed home. I
arrived late that night at the airport in NYC and was met by my parents and my girl friend Janet (now my wife). I will never
forget my mother running out to the plane as I stepped off. It was a very emotional and wonderful reunion.. I swore the
day I left Vietnam that nothing would ever get me down like that experience again and despite bumps along the road of life
nothing has. Now, I have a son in Iraq and I know what my parents went through so many years ago. I also make it a point
to thank a service person for his service to our country no matter where I see him or her. It only takes me a minute to stick
out my hand and say "THANKS FOR SERVING". So, now you all know why I will be smiling all day tomorrow, no matter
what the day may throw at me. Thanks for letting me share this memory. Life is good....."
H-----
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