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Veteran benefits

Thanks for your concern and any help with this problem.
Having served in the US Army from 1962-1965 and receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1968 and after using the medical facilities "When NEEDED" at the Augusta Ga. VA Hospital from the 1970's until February 2013 I was told in February 2013 I was no longer eligible for treatment at the VA and all my appointments cancelled.
After many trips and phone calls to the VA hospital in Augusta and calls to Atlanta to the VA Administration and was given several different reasons for this action I was finally told that a law had been passed in 1996 "THAT I WAS FINALLY TOLD ABOUT IN FEBRUARY 2013" that made me no longer Qualified for medical help at the Va and the date for any appeal was past..
I find it very, very troublesome that our Government would do something like that to its VETERANS then keep it from them until they need the benefits. We sent billions of dollars overseas to people who hate us and would kill any of us in a heartbeat and then deny benefits to the BRAVE VOLUNTEERS that stand between us AMERICIANS and these people and then turn into VETERANS after their service, is beyond belief..
I don't know how many VETERANS were caught up in that law but even one is too many.
Every time I see a military personal or a Veteran I try to thank them for their service and I want to thank you for your service.
Thanks and have a great day.

Edward Sirmans
Augusta, GA

Back to the World

I was stationed with Bravo 1st Bn 9th Infantry from Feb 1973 to Mar 1974. This was towards the end of the unpopular Vietnam War. There were to be no parades no big home comings from a grateful public. When i ETS'd, I took a commercial flight home. I decided to fly in full dress class "A" uniform. I wasnt about to let any protesters scare me into not being proud that I served my country. The flights first entry into the US was at Anchorage Alaska. This was a fully loaded DC10 and I was at the end of the line to go through customs with my duffle bag etc. There was a customs agent going back and forth through the line checking documents. When he saw me at the end of the line he came up to me, grabbed my duffle bag, shook my hand and said "Welcome Home". He then escorted me to the front of the line. I will never forget this man.

Nick Iammatteo
Cape Coral, FL

Semper Fidelis

I am a Vietnam veteran, disabled 100%, and want to tell those who use the phrase "Semper Fidelis" what it means to me. I love and appreciate what veterans have done for my family, and others that may not even realize it. I have and always have had my children living with me their whole lives. They are married and have children, in school, and trying to make it so they can be on their own. Recently, we all had the scare of our lives due to the incompetence of overpaid politicians in Washington. I am going back to work as a truck driver, soon as I complete the CDL school in Dunn, NC. I live out of my SUV since I live in Charlotte, and haven't got the money to drive home on the weekend or for a room or food. I have to do this at the age of 62, because the politicians may squabble again in a few months, and I could loose my disability, which supports the 10 of us. Things are rough at my home, my wife is pretty down on me, but this is something that I do because of the phrase, Semper Fidelis, words that bring out the Marine in me. My son says that I must have huge "family Jewels", but I don't, I just have the love of a Marine that believes in the words SEMPER FIDELIS. I will do anything for my family, and always be faithful to them and fellow veterans such as myself. I hope that some politicians read this and see what it means to be always faithful! I ask for nothing but a chance to do what I can for those I love, so please just give us a chance to prove our devotion to God, the family, and the Corps. Semper Fidelis, Don

Donald Young
Charlotte, NC

Wayne T. "The Bombdog" Bernhardt

My husband was a Desert Storm vet working overseas as a contractor. (I'm homeless and have lost everything except for one set of clothes. The DOD hasn't been kind to me.)

The following letter went around the world and back in a matter of 3 days. He's known in every country we have contractors.

December 20, 2011 Wayne's Initial Movement

Dana,
I wanted to provide you with part of an e-mail I received from our personnel in
Afghanistan. It details the initial movement of Wayne from the site he was supporting in
Afghanistan. I wanted you to see the e-mail because it shows the appreciation and
respect that both coworkers and military personnel have for the sacrifices that Wayne
was making in his current position. I’ll rely on you to share with Wayne’s family if you
feel it’s appropriate.
_______________________
Daryl,
Just to let you know; I just returned from FOB Salerno and met with as many folks as I
could regarding Wayne Bernhardt's death. I met CSM Cave and CSM Moore. They
honored Wayne with a Fallen Soldier ceremony.
Soldiers lined both sides of the C-130 with the casket bearers solemnly marching Wayne
to the aircraft. The soldiers all saluted Wayne as he passed and a prayer was said for
him.
Both CSMs stated that Wayne gave his life for the safety of the soldiers on FOB Salerno
and they were honored to send off a hero.
Every person I spoke with had only positive things to say about Wayne.
He always had a smile and was always willing to do what was necessary to support our
Warfighters. SSG Bazaar said that minutes before Wayne's untimely death he was
downstairs at the ECP joking with the soldiers there. Every soldier at the ECP did their
part in trying to keep Wayne alive. He wasn't just another contractor. Wayne was family
and he will be missed.
Wayne's professionalism, dedication, and selfless service reflect greatly upon EOIR,
ManTech, and the United States Army.
-----------------------------------------
Written by Ken Dempster

Wayne Thomas Bernhardt
May 26, 1967 – December 18, 2011

Dana Bernhardt
Peyton, CO

One Military Hero?

I have had alot of family serve in the Military from Grandparents, Uncles, Cousins, and Four of my brothers, one whom is still serving. My older brother Michael S. Patrick served in Iraq both wars, and Afghanistan more than once. He rode the turret and did the Dougie when pulling out to make the guys laugh and to lighten spirits.
Thankfully he made it home and retired in one piece. But to choose one person to be my Hero is impossible.
With all those who have served or are serving, those who lost limbs or gave their lives like Lt. Murphy
and countless others. I can't imagine choosing just one.
The UNITED STATES MILITARY as a whole and their Allies who serve along side of them,
are my HEROES and will always be. There can be only one, but only as a whole.
And PLEASE this holiday season, take a minute out of your busy but FREE time and pay respect to someone
who even though they don't know you, still puts his or her life on the line or works as a team member to protect
you and your Freedom each and every day, and send a card, a letter, an email, or maybe a gift this year to just say
THANK YOU for all you do. And lets not forget those who are wounded and recovering, or the families who have
lost so we can be FREE. I'm sure they would appreciate it and MORE THAN deserve it. Be a true and Proud
American and show it. I love each and everyone of you whom have served or are serving, and thank you and pray
that GOD watch over and protect you and tour families.

Sincerely and with the utmost respect & gratitude!!!

Christian M. Patrick
Asheboro, NC

wings paid forward

My dad passed three years ago He was part of the last Army Air Corps. He was very proud of the time he served. I would listen and hang on to his every word. When I enlisted,he wasn't happy..as at that point the reputation of military women wasn't that great. After doing 14.5 years it was time to hang up my boots.My sons each took a boot and enlisted in the Army. During the wake my sons were in full dress uniform. Being a flight medic, he spoke to the meaning of the' Angel Flag'. He was attached at one point to the 82nd Airborne and had made the jumps needed to get his silver wings. Dad never received his wings from the Army Air Corps; however on his suit coat was his unit designation.My son stopped and stepped back to remove his wings and have them placed on his suit coat as was his Purple Heart ribbon. He nodded to his younger brother who silently moved up and placed his own unit crest under his brothers.Thomas,the older of the two also presented one of 3 flags to my step mother. It was done with all the military ceremony and dignity that was expected.As he presented it to her, he dropped to his knee for the presentation. Even now I still tear up thinking about it all. Dad was so very proud of my sons

joi
maynard, MA

My Soldier! My Hero! My Son~!

this is my son Peter. He wanted to join the army since he was a sophomore. He studied it out and figured out what he wanted to do. In January 2013, he signed his contract with my signature and blessings at 17. He went into Boot camp for the US Army at Ft Sill, Oklahoma on June 30, 2013. He was the youngest in bootcamp. He graduated from bootcamp Sept 13, 2013 two weeks before his 18th birthday. He is AIT for 13-D Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data System Specialist. I am so Proud of Peter carring on the proud heritage of military service- Myself in US Air Force, his brother (blessed memory) Army ROTC, His uncle US Marines, His grandfather US Navy, and I will stop at his Great Grandfather in the US Army - all the way back to the Spanish American War!!!!
Peter you are MY soldier! MY hero! May you always be protected by The Eternal Father!

L Angel Curry
Ballinger, TX

My Daddy, My Hero

My daddy was in the army from 1970-1974. His brother was in the army before him, My dad remembers things from VietNam, but his military records say he wasn't there. He was in Korea, and one night he was supposed to go on patrol with his best friend. He had burnt his arm and couldn't go. There was a soldier fresh out of basic, he went out on patrol instead of my dad. The kid just out of basic saw a floating bamboo bomb and thought it was a ball. My dad's best friend told the kid to leave it alone, but he didn't. That night my dad lost his best friend and has told me and my siblings that he should have been there, and he blames him self. My dad suffers from PTSD and has a lot of issues, but he's my hero because he joined the Army 101st Airborne and may have saved some peoples lives. My dad has always been there for me no matter what the issue. He's held me when I cried and he's made me smile even when I don't want to. I love my dad and he will always be my hero. I love him and nothing will ever change that.

Christa LaVerne-Belle Morehouse
LaPine, OR

A "Thank You" from Kuwait

My husband flew in combat in the first Gulf War. He was gone for four months. In those four months, he flew 40 combat missions, and yes, he got shot at. While he was gone, we (the wives) learned to be very cautious out side of our homes and the base (we were stationed in Germany). He came home, we had our second child, and nothing resurfaced until 8 years later. We were stationed, yet again, in another state, and I was attempting to finish my degree (which I did, but it took 12 years and that's another story). My husband had dropped me off at school and was wearing his uniform. What I would consider a middle-eastern male approached me and asked me if my husband was in the US military. My heart dropped. I started looking around for an escape route or someone who could help me. Noticing my sudden nervousness, he told me that "It's ok. I mean you no harm. I am from Kuwait." This settled my nerves a little. He asked me, again, if my husband was in the military. I answered, "You saw his uniform." He asked me if he was in the Gulf War. I only nodded. He then told me, "Please give your husband my thanks. Because of him and men like him, my mother and sisters were not raped." He then smiled, walked away.

My husband doesn't consider himself a hero. I do and so do others. I work with the military and am grateful that I work in the presence of heroes every day of my life.

Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA

A little boy that had the chance to grow old.

I remember all to well when my dad left our home one morning when I was about three, I was hugging my mothers leg as we watched my dad walk away going to Camp Shelby Mississippi. I look up at my Mom and asked is my daddy coming back, crying she said yes he will come back to us. He did come back, but he was different. The night he came home my older brother got me awake after everyone had settled in for the night, Daddys home, I rushed in to Mom and Dads bedroom and felt of the face on one side of the bed and it was Mom I went to the other side and felt of the face and it was dad. Dad didnt talk much about his experiences, it hurt too much. we all relived his experiences at night when the nightmares came around,I would cover my head trying not to hear what he was saying, but i heard anyway, it was terrible.But if not for him and others like Casey Hester, Dallas Brock, Vance Clayton Just to name a few.My Dad was Pvt. Melvin L. Williams we could not enjoy a free country. to all the veterans that have served I say "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICES"My dad has been gone from us for 31 yrs. but remembering the scars that may not always be physical that we can see, but emotional that we cannot see. There is so much I could say about my dad and how WW 2 effected him, He was wounded in the Asian theatre of the war but was able to live a seemingly normal life physically. what he would talk about was the people in India Burma and China, he had some fond memories of several ones that he would tell us stories about. Thank You Dad for helping to make me free In Memory of Pvt Melvin Lowery Williams

Gary l Williams Rd3 Navy Veteran
Guntown, MS