Posts Tagged ‘Veterans’

…a letter that should be read in all corners.

As a Veteran, I will never support any of the douche-bag sell outs that are running the GOP or voted for this bill.

Your failure is complete.

This letter says it all.

To Congressman Paul RyanToday

Congressman Ryan,

Please note that this request by you for a cash donation from me is extremely unfortunate and very ill-timed. You see sir, I am one of the military retirees your “bipartisan” budget just impacted. You and every Republican both in the House and Senate that voted to pass this travesty betrayed and broke trust with me and everyone like me. You may not know us by name, but we’re the people, Congressman, who answered our Nation’s call, some of us at a very early age to willingly serve YOU and others LIKE YOU so you could safely attend college and pursue your personal ambitions without fear of harm.

You might also want to note that for at least 20 years, my brothers-in-arms answered that call of duty EVERY SINGLE DAY, without fail, without complaint, without enough money to sustain our loved ones we had to leave behind while we DID OUR JOB in every corner of the Earth. And for that service, we were given absolute assurance our so-called retirement benefits would be protected by law. The very law you shattered in your zeal to impress your Democratic cohorts in your back room deal–with the enemy. Yes, I said it. The liberal Democrats are an enemy to the American people and our Nation. Your lack of judgement and eagerness to compromise on the backs of us who protected you is sickening. Congressman, you and every Republican that voted for injuring military retirees have engaged in a complicit, sordid affair with the Democrats who’s objective has always been to dismantle the military. By climbing into their bed on this issue, you have confirmed you are absolutely no better than they and have proven it with your vote.

Congressman Ryan, the audacity which you display is noteworthy, but to unceremoniously snatch earned money from a small group that has added so much more value than the paltry $6B you looked to “save” which is all smoke and mirrors and you know it, is reprehensible and insulting.

We have, despite the hardships, meager salaries and harsh conditions, have performed with honor and excellence…in silence, which is something most members of Congress have no idea about doing. Our job approval was, is and always be better than yours. We knew our mission and we got it done, then handed it off to a new generation in better shape than we found it.

Your ability to look us in the eye, take money from us apparently there was ZERO, other source of waste within the federal government that you could have recovered this money from…right, got it, while simultaneously holding your hand out to beg with passion for our cash is stunning. Your actions have proven you do not have the tremendous intellect you’ve sold the American people on. I say, with all seriousness, Congressman, what you lack in intellect and spinal rigidity, you make up for in cajones.

I hope you and your cowardly, Republican “colleagues” hear a message from me loud and clear. You will NEVER receive another cent of financial support from me. Further, if you happen to be at a Capitol Hill dinner or at a K Street cocktail party with RNC Chair Reince Priebus, Rep. Ron Barber, Sen. Jeff Flake or Sen. John McCain, I would be honored if you communicate with them that I am launching an effort to ensure NONE of you traitorous “representatives of the people” ever receive another vote from a military retiree. Remove me from your contact lists.

Chuck Wooten,Chief Master Sergeant, USAF Ret

via Open Letter: Veteran Blasts Rep. Paul Ryan Over His Back Room Budget Deal “With the Enemy” | Right Wing News.

…to all my Brothers and Sisters who have served with honor for this country.
You Rock!
Veterans-Day4

…to my email within 4 minutes of my submission.

The question:

What is your position on the Second Amendment? I don’t see it anywhere on your website.

The response:

1IDVET,

Thank you for contacting VFW National Headquarters. Once details emerge, this issue will be a very interesting debate in the Congress as well as between media pundits and others who have never walked in harm’s way.  Please rest assured that your VFW fully supports the Second Amendment.  Thanks for your service and for caring enough to write.

William C. Bloomquist

Assistant Director, Administrative Operations

Phone # 816-968-2730

Fax# 816-968-1149

VFW Response

…the government wienies have decided to place the burden of the coming fiscal cliff on the backs of military retirees.

This will effect all military retirees, and those that intend to retire. This will in all likelihood hurt recruiting and retention efforts across the board as well.

Write the morons that represent you and let them know in no uncertain terms, that putting the fiscal cliff on our backs is not how it’s supposed to work. Tell those morons to do their damn jobs and stop screwing us over.

Avoiding the ‘Fiscal Cliff’ May be as Painful as Going Over It
Terry Howell

This week Tom Philpott reported that the Congressional Budget Office has put a red “laser dot” on future pay raises, TRICARE, and future retirement benefits.

In their report, the CBO says annual military pay raises have exceeded civilian wage growth over the last 10 years. In fact the CBO estimates that military pay increased by 52 percent from 2002 to 2010 while civilian wages rose only 24 percent.

The CBO says that any impact reducing pay increases might have on recruiting and retention can be mitigated by offering larger enlistment and reenlistment bonuses.   The CBO pay cap option would mean military pay would lose nine percent to private sector wage growth over the five-year period.The CBO also suggests an option to raise TRICARE enrollment fees, deductibles or copayments, actions also proposed by the administration last April.  For working-age retirees, those under 65, fee hikes should be phased over five years and use a “tiered approach” so that senior-grade retirees would pay higher fees than lower-ranking retirees.

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…and I’m not happy about it. It’s been in the works since 2007 and is going into effect in 2013. I may be OK, I live close to a Marine Corps Logistics Base that is slated to close through BRAC, which if I read that right, means I’m still OK. I work at an AF base, but it’s 60 miles from my house, so I guess that wouldn’t count. At any rate, this shit sucks.

171K May Soon Lose TRICARE Prime

Defense officials are expected to announce that military retirees and their dependents that live more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility or BRAC (base closure) site will lose access to TRICARE Prime as early as next April. This move could force as many as 171,000 retirees to shift to TRICARE Standard, which would mean an increase in out-of-pocket costs–especially those with special needs dependents or other chronic health issues. The first round of Prime service changes is “tentatively” planned to go into effect in the West region on April 1. The North and South regions will see the plan implemented by October 1, 2013.

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…designed by Maya Lin, was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington.

“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

The Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing. Yet the Memorial itself is dedicated to honor the “courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country” of all who answered the call to serve during the longest war in U.S. history.

The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund, Inc. is the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 1980 to fund and build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Incorporated on April 27, 1979 by a group of veterans led by Jan C. Scruggs, who was wounded and decorated for service in Vietnam, the organization sought a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people for those who served in the war.

By separating the issue of individuals serving in the military during the Vietnam era and U.S. policy carried out there, VVMF hoped to begin a process of national reconciliation. Two members of the U.S. Senate, Charles Mathias (R-Md.) and John Warner (R-Va.), took the lead in Congress to enact legislation providing three acres in the northwest corner of the National Mall as a site for the Memorial.  It was dedicated on Nov. 13, 1982.

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…for those of you so inclined to take advantage of such niceties, here’s this year’s list from Military.com:

2012 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

Each year businesses honor Veterans and Servicemembers by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services, and dining.

Keep in mind that most businesses require some proof of military service, this includes a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers), Veterans Service Organization Card (VSO’s include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and the American Legion), or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform.

Note: Not all franchise locations participate in their national chain’s Veterans Day programs, be sure  to contact your nearest establishment to be sure they are participating.

The following is a short list of 2012 Veteran and military discounts, Buy One Get One (BOGO) offerings, and  this year’s offerings even include some honest-to-goodness free meals:

[Visit the Military.com Veteran’s Day Discount page for a complete up-to-date list of Veteran’s Day discounts and freebies.]

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Support Heroes…

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 in Military, Veterans
Tags: , ,

…by buying Heroes Vodka. It’s new, it’s by a Veteran for Veterans.

If/when it ever gets out this way, I’ll definitely partake. Those of you in Tennessee and in the east may already be able to do so.

Tip one for me.

Vodka by a veteran, for veterans (and other cocktail lovers)
By Bill Briggs

Between sampling and selling his first batch of Heroes Vodka, Marine veteran Travis McVey concocted a catchy marketing slogan.

“Some people drink to

forget. We drink to remember,” McVey said in a phone interview this week, referring partly to two friends, Marine buddies killed in the line of duty.

“I was sitting at the VFW on (a recent) Memorial Day with some other veterans. I was looking at the bar,” McVey said. “I was thinking: No one has ever really marketed a veteran-owned spirit company. And what better name than ‘Heroes?’ Everybody has served, but the guys who didn’t come back are true heroes to me. I wanted to create a product that would be in honor of their service, something that people could raise their glass to and give a toast.”

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To all of our World War II Veterans, a most profound and heartfelt thank you for your service and sacrifice for freedom. Without your dedication and stalwart  stand against tyranny, the world as we know it today wouldn’t exist.

Thank you one and all.

Go have a look over at War on Terror News:

August 14, 1945: Victory Over Japan; Video: Post WWII

The defeat of Imperial Japan & Nazi Germany may have ended the shooting wars, but it was not the end of Our Commitment, and it wasn’t the end of dangers. Whole German and Japanese cities had been destroyed by allied bombs, but while we rebuilt our future allies, the Communists oppressed our future enemies.

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This is NOT how a nation should treat its defenders of freedom.  This is how we treat their final resting place? This is how we say thank you for your sacrifices?

This is not what America is about. A nation that disrespects her veterans doesn’t deserve the benefits of their sacrifices.

It’s despicable.

Around nation, gravesites of veterans in shocking disrepair

By Mike Jaccarino

The final resting places for many of the men and women who fought America’s wars have fallen into shocking disrepair, with neglect, theft and vandalism prompting veterans groups to question the nation’s commitment to honoring its dead soldiers.

Advocates say smaller federal, state, county and private cemeteries that contain the graves of service members are often poorly kept, marked by crumbling headstones, overgrown with weeds and littered with debris. Perhaps even worse, many veterans’ gravesites have been targets of vandalism and theft.

via Around nation, gravesites of veterans in shocking disrepair | Fox News.