Another Disgrace for U.S. Veterans
This 'advertisement' was sent to me today (12/06/01) within the same envelope, which included my 'Pension Award' update, dated, ironically, on my birthday,11/30/01. I had been waiting for 8.5 months to receive this letter after an 'Appeal.' So, here we have the VA 'giving' funds (my actual increase of only $4.00 per month) with the one hand--and 'asking for it back' with the other. (JL). Please read this 'ad' and see comments below:
* Note the above P.O. Box address (DVA) is actually the Department of Veterans Affairs! Note also that this is sent out to 'Disabled Veterans' themselves and NOT to the public-at-large!
Now what the VA is asking of our country's 'disabled for Life' Veterans--is to pay to build THEIR OWN 'Memorial,' which is stated as will, "Help ensure respect, dignity and fairness for all disabled Veterans." How does building THEIR OWN vainly inspired 'Memorial' figure into 'fairness?' Is it 'fair' that we submit the next-to-nothing meager benefits into building our own memorial while NOT receiving, "respect--dignity--and fairness," from the VA itself, as they do not, and have not, in over 200 years--taken proper care of this country's 'disabled for life' Veterans? How about the design of an American flag as the background for this 'ad?' Most disturbing, is that the advertised web site is a 'commercial' web site (see link below)!
We shall continue to make the public and Veterans alike, aware of this insult, given to the great hope that the U.S. government will see clearly--the error of this program and provide this 'Memorial,' which disabled Veterans so richly deserve, without having Veterans pay for. It would take money, which we do not have. Monies, which we need to pay our household bills with and to buy our direly needed medicines--most of which, the VA does not have, nor do they even allow in their 'pharmacies,' forcing Veterans to go to private doctors to obtain. You try to live on the meager benefits that we (Veterans) are expected to sustain our lives with--then have a program like this one come along--during a time of a National crisis--and insult you into buying into it--to such a degree as to make you feel, 'Un-American' if you do not.
We feel that this is a 'scam' to Disabled Veterans--and that any Veterans who receive this 'advertisement' should send it to your local Congress members with a copy going to your local newspaper Editor. Send them a 'Letter to the Editor' with YOUR comments, and if published: we will post it herein and send it out to ALL major media. We are united in the RIGHT to 'fair' treatments from our government--and most certainly by the dubious VA. (We will be sending this link to ALL U.S. Congresspersons and Senators).
We will continue to bring you updates and will, indeed, give credit where credit is due, should this--and other major problems (a failure to communicate) with the VA change, or become rectified. After all: we all have great faith in our country--just as our country had great faith in us--when we proudly wore our uniforms in strength, in valor--and in hopes for a better tomorrow.
'Memorial' web site: click here
Social Security Disability Law (Sherry Abrams, attorney-at-law. She knows her stuff!).
Logo (c) 1998 by JasonLeigh.org
(Jason Leigh is a 'Disabled for Life' Veteran)
