Lark_McCarthy's Blog

Ok, but who would the veterans that live in DC send a letter to? We aren't represented are we? My husband is a Vet and this story has really ticked me off because this problem has been going on for years. His brother died of agent orange and got the worlds crappiest care from the day he came back from Vietnam. Our soldiers fight to keep us safe and our leaders act like some of the most ungreatful people of our nation.

This problem not only exists in medical/rehabilitation centers, but no matter where you go in the military. I was on an excercise to New Orleans JRB at one point in my career and we were "put up" in comdemned barracks on the base that had been deemed unfit for living due to exposed osbestos and black mold. The barracks was fenced off and locked up so no one could enter. However, after 6 hours of cleaning they "supposively" had OSHA come in and re-inspect the barracks and it was somehow deemed safe. I understand you have to do what you have to do but this problem does exist and now it is spreading to our medical/rehab centers. This is now at a whole new level. Partly to blame is poor funding and poor disbursion of funds I think. Military health care as we all know is no prized jewel but substandard is substandard no matter what the situation.

Lark:

This scandal at Walter Reed is nothing new, just speak with some of the veterans from the Vietnam War or any of the other wars that the US played a role, this is an ongoing crisis in which the buck stops at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, not some scapegoat at the general level. The US has a history of not taking good care of their veterans who laid or lay his or her life on the line for this country, just look at the surviving WW II vets who are still fighting for benefits, it is just that with this current war and the US having so many soldiers injured that this has come to light. It is sad that the US can spend billions of dollars on this war, and about to start another one with Iran but we cannot find the money to provide our injured soldiers with the proper health care without so much red tape, how sad are we as a country and why would any man, or woman want to take the chance that the military is asking today, beats me. I believe this problem could be solved easily if Halliburton gives back some of the millions of dollars it is receiving in reconstructive benefits over in Iraq as it will supplement the money needed to upgrade Walter Reed or other military facilities which were not mentioned thus far. I also believe this hospital is not the only one, it seems you do not have this problem at Bethesda Naval, maybe because it provides care to the Commander in Chief, right.

I apologize for they just showed up again, maybe the problem is with the site, please accept my sincere regrets for the last comments.