At Ease, Devil Dogs! The intent of this article was not to divide our own community, but to bring attention to Vets that are in positions to help all Vets, but do nothing regardless of what uniform or branch they served in.  As I stated in the article, “I do not mean to offend my reserve Marine brothers or sisters, especially the young enlisted Marines.  Their intentions are honorable and their service is valued”.   I believe the reserves are changing and rapidly acquiring the reputation it had during WWII and Korea as a result of their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.  There is no question there have been Reserve Units that have perform in an exemplary manner during operations in both Gulf Wars with individual acts of bravery that are now apart of Marine Corps history and legend.  We are all Marines first and foremost regardless of designation or MOS; we all earned the right to wear the Eagle Globe and anchor the same hard way.  But this does not excuse some; like Congressman Murtha and others, Reserve or Regular, who seemingly use the Marine title for other than honorable purposes and fail to tend to the needs of there fellow Veterans for whatever reason when they are in a position that can influence change.  Here is a small example of what I was referring to:

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today signed the 2006-2007 state budget, demonstrating his continued support for veterans and their families. The budget allocates 75.1 million to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA). This year’s budget increase will fund the construction of a new State Veterans Nursing Home in St. Johns County, renovations to the existing five skilled nursing facilities, and the assisted living facility. Florida’s veterans are grateful for Governor Bush’s unwavering support, said Colonel Rocky McPherson USMC, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. I join all Florida veterans in thanking the Governor and State Legislature for their work on this year’s budget…

 Now on the surface this looks good, but if you were to investigate further you’ll find the problem.  The budget is for a total of $73M and it has $66M directed towards new construction of one facility and renovations of others.  The remaining budget has NOTHING for benefits.  The next largest amount in this Veterans Affairs budget is for salaries…the $66M out of a $73M dollar budget is all construction.  But here is what concerns me. SB 1882 HB 1263. Related to Disabled Veteran’s Business’s and State Government Contracts.  The bill as filed would set a goal of 3% of state government contracts to disabled veteran owned businesses . Died in Appropriations Committee!

 We have a veteran’s unemployment rate of 16% in this country.  It is hard for Vets transitioning back into society to get a job, especially disabled Veterans.  These Vets certainly aren’t on the top of anyone’s list.  And they had an opportunity to set aside 3% state contracts for Disabled Vet Owned Businesses and it was DENIED.  WHY?  $75M in construction and renovation for Veterans on Veteran facilities and Vets can’t get a piece of it and nothing towards other Vet needed BENEFITS.  WHY?  In my opinion, that budget is all smoking mirrors when it comes to really helping vets with what they need.

So, where is the advocacy?  Where was this Vet Administrations looking out for its Vets and understanding Vet issues and current needs?  This is just a small example of what maybe happening in other local, state and federal government agencies; window dressing and no substance.

Now with the reserve thing,  I’m just as upset over “COLONEL” Murtha as many of you and yeah, he is a reservist.  It really bothers me that he apparently doesn’t correct his title and continues to allow the use of USMC vice his more accurate title of USMCR…WHY?  Why does he allow that?  Is he not proud of his reserve designation?  Can someone explain that to me?  I see other reservists proudly use USMCR or USNR.  In fact, I used it when I was USMCR!  What bothers me is this, I trust this congressman is expending just as much energy on ensuring the Vets returning, especially those with disabilities, are going to be taken care of and are afforded meaningful opportunities to be productive members in the society they just defended as he is expending on his grandstanding with a USMC title for seemingly political purposes and agenda.  Reserve, Regular or Salvation Army what he is doing and the way he is doing it seems wrong. 

My article is all about Vets expending more energy at taking care of Vets;  if we don’t and if we don’t ensure those that represent us do it as well, we’ll always get the short end of the stick.  I get upset when I see Veterans magazines and press clippings day after day of young Marines and Soldiers in wheel chairs missing legs and arms.  The recent incident involving the torture of those two Soldiers and the way our 3/1 Marines are being treated at the same time pisses me off!  And it doesn’t help when you see on a VFW magazine cover a 19 year old  Soldier from the Third Infantry Division missing legs, an arm and one eye.  19 years old!!!!  I sat in my chair and stared at that picture and tears came to my eyes as I thought about what kind of life is this kid going to have after he is discharged and finally released from the hospital.  Who is going to look after him for the rest of his life?  I’ll tell you who, we are and we should as VETS!  

I saw what happened to the Viet Nam Veterans, I saw what happened to the disabled Veterans returning from that war and what they had to and continue in some cases to endure. I DO NOT WANT THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN TO ANY OF THESE YOUNG VETS after this war!!!  And than, I see a 75M dollar budget for construction and renovations which certainly isn’t going to do much for Vets like this.  This concerns me and this is why we need to ensure we are holding Vets in positions to influence change and ensure benefits and care with dignity are held accountable.  We should no longer tolerate anyone and especially another Vet rolling over to another political agenda when it comes to helping Vets.  NO MORE SMOKING MIRRORS AND LIES!  

The opportunity for Disabled Vet Owned Businesses to get a piece of the $75M contracts was killed in committee.  Wouldn’t that be helping Vets?  Wouldn’t that be providing opportunities to Vets?  Now, unfortunately, the non-vet big business owners will most likely grab these contracts with their political pull while Vets get NOTHING.  This is what I was talking about when I said Vets in positions of influence have to be more pro-active in ensuring Vets are taken care of; they need to be watchdogs.  

Take a look at this budget, its on line, does it look like it has anything remotely resembling or having anything in it concerning the needs and concerns for younger veterans?  You can look at the overall budget and see Vets were at the bottom as far as allocation of funds...increase or not...it looks like more smoking mirrors, more BS and what’s worse it gets a Veterans face saying it is OK and THANK YOU. 

Where is the advocacy for disabled Vet employment that was denied in committee?  Why was it denied?  Where is the advocacy for taking care of homeless Vets, making sure Vet Preference is enforced, looking after the young disabled Vets who can’t and probably never will get jobs worth anything?  Is it the same in your state or community?  

Vets don’t want handouts, they want opportunities!  Where are we providing for that?  Here in Florida it looks like the young Veteran and especially the disabled veteran will have to muttle around and make do until he or she can get into one of these Vets homes...WHO IS REALLY LOOKING OUT FOR THE YOUNG VETS???  WHO?  Where is the that Veterans Advocacy by those Vets in positions to influence this sort of change?  It may be too late for many of us older Vets and the Viet Nam Vets certainly have a bitch in this area, but we can collectively join together to ensure the younger Vets aren’t treated the same way….....This is the point of that article. 

       "Becoming a Vet came with a price, representing Vets comes with a price"