Veterans Day in DC
November 13th 2007
I spent this past weekend in Washington, DC. My first Veterans Day in Washington, DC. The sights and sounds were remarkable.
I saw groups of Vets that had not seen each other for long periods of time having reunions. I saw widows and parents of soldiers who have fallen fighting for our freedoms speaking about their loved ones. It was hard to choke back the tears at times.
I had the chance to talk with several Vets while walking the mall and the overwhelming issue of concern was Health Care for Vets. There was a booth that had a petition to sign for Mandatory Health Care for Vets. At that booth I met a Vet named Michael, who is the President of the Vietnam Veterans of America (Martha Raye Chapter 541) out of New Windsor, NY. We talked about the current pieces of legislation that have been introduced on Veterans Health Care and every one of them, according to Michael, has stipulations. After I researched this, the only one with the word “mandatory” is HR1382 and it only addresses mandatory funding for Veterans Affairs not mandatory coverage for Veterans.
I told him about a draft for a bill I have ready to introduce that will give Vets the Health Care they deserve without any stipulations. I went into further detail with him and he was choked up. He shook my hand, thanked me and asked how he could help me help them. I simply responded, “keep doing what your doing and spread the word.” He also told me that the Vets feel like 2nd class citizens. I think that is wrong. These men and women are no different then anyone else. They should not be slighted for the risks they have taken to protect our rights and freedoms.
The draft of the bill I want to introduce includes free and mandatory health care for veterans (class E6 and down), the ability to go to private doctors and hospitals instead of the VA and the formation of a Veterans Committee on Health Care that meets every 3 months with members of the Veterans community to keep discussing the ongoing crisis with Veterans Health Issues.
I had a wonderful time and met some wonderful Patriots. I plan on going back next year to continue to support the Vets and their cause.
To all the Vets out there, thank you for your service, thank you, thank you, thank you!
