INFO SHEET #101 FROM WESUPPORTTHEVETS
Doctor Chu
should get the word sometime this century that
Veterans of these United States do not appreciate his negative
statements. Representatives of congress and Senate should get the clue that they
are responsible for individuals such as Chu being in a position of
responsibility His remarks, his actions degrading military families and military
life and the intellect of military personnel show that this administration will
never be the people we need in control of our destiny. They do not
understand the military or veterans of this country.
--Bill Gast Editor wesupportthevets.com
“Promises Made - Promise Kept”, Just A Political Shell
Game
February 27, 2005
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by Thomas D. Segel
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In the early days of Vietnam I commanded a 150 Marine replacement unit
arriving in country by ship. As we entered port the ship’s Captain summoned
me and ordered a perimeter established around the Seabee compound where we
docked. It had been receiving probing attacks by the Viet Cong.
When the unit was in position I called my four Staff NCOs and told them to
move up and down the line all night to keep everyone alert and their spirits
high. I reminded them these were very young Marines and that they had never
heard a shot fired in anger.
One Staff Sergeant gave me a funny look and then asked, “Who is going to
keep our spirits high? We’ve never heard a shot fired in anger either.” It
was then I realized I was the only combat veteran in the unit. All were very
young men.
Traditionally, we send our youngest, bravest and best off to war. Why? Well,
it is understood they are among the most physically fit of our citizens. The
young are easy to train. They develop strong loyalties, except the commands
of their leaders, and wear patriotism as if it were body armor.
From birth they have been taught to accept the words or promises of parents,
teachers, coaches…anyone in a position of authority. So, it follows they
accept the word of their government as carved in stone.
The politicos of our country have historically taken advantage of our
service personnel. All of the “Washington In Crowd” understands those who
serve in uniform are politically naïve and can be spoon fed most of that
beltway blather without any questioning.
The political game of promise…then promise again. Delay…then delay again
goes on and on and on.
Because of their faith…their sense of duty…their love of country, these
brave young people risk everything, including their lives. Many who make it
through the horrors of war carry scars for life, including disabilities far
beyond the understanding of the average citizen.
They return home expecting a grateful nation to honor all those pledges and
promises…only to find they were just pawns in a never ending political shell
game.
Military retirees were promised earned health care for life, only to find
they were given a substandard sudo-insurance plan that most doctors wouldn’t
honor.
As they reached the twilight years of their life, retirees found health care
did improve, but they were still forced to pay for and accept Medicare, when
they had been promised their medical needs would be fully funded by the
government.
Widows of military retirees thought their spouses had provided a solid
survivor benefit, by paying for years into a program that assured a
significant portion of retired pay would continue after death. Then widows
discovered the government reduces that benefit when they reach the age where
they qualify for Social Security.
From the early days of World War II veterans were promised that any and all
service related health issues would be treated by the best of modern
medicine. Instead, they were given sub standard VA hospitals and clinics,
long lines, and the denial of many medical claims.
Veterans who so valiantly participated in the many atomic tests conducted by
the United States were among those promised quality care. Some of them have
been waiting 30 years and longer to have their claims approved.
The federal government is still moving those shells around for disabled
retirees who endure a dollar per dollar deduction from their retired pay to
cover their disability compensation. After more than 100 years of cheating
military retirees, the disability compensation offset is being removed.
However, most of the disabled fall under a ten-year phase-in provision of
the law. This means all but a sprinkling of World War II retired veterans
and most of the Korean War disabled military retirees will have heard the
final sounding of Taps before the first check is written. Another move in
the political shell game.
Once this nation saw three out of every four members of Congress come from
the ranks of military veterans. Today only 35 of 100 Senators have worn the
uniform of this country. In the House of Representatives only 119 out of 435
can boast being veterans. This is a smaller percentage of veterans than is
found in the national population. With so few lawmakers even understanding
the needs of veterans, getting legislation passed to honor the promises of
long ago is extremely difficult.
Added to the mix is a Defense Department that views every tax dollar as its
private property. Dr. David Chu, a despicable individual, who serves as an
Under Secretary of Defense, spends his time giving false testimony denying
that promises were made to veterans and military retirees. It is his job to
make unsubstantiated claims or send up trial balloons for the Defense
Department and the Administration. If there are few screams of rage, another
move can be made in the political shell game.
Some members of Congress are truly engaged in the fight to get those many
false promises converted into law. But, even they must fight a majority of
their members who have no understanding of the military, see nothing wrong
with breaking one’s word and really believe political shell games are a
normal way of life. Just as on the carnival midway, the only winners in that
game are the ones moving those shells.
Thomas D. Segel <mailto:tomsegel@joimail.com>
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Thomas D. Segel is a twice wounded, former combat correspondent who saw
enemy action during the Korean War and two tours of duty in Vietnam. He
retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sergeant after 26 years of
service. His next assignment was as Director of Information and adjunct
faculty member of the Marine Military Academy. He then completed a new
career and recently retired from service with the State of Texas, where he
was Director, Division of Information, Texas Department of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation, Rio Grande State Center. He holds the Thomas Jefferson
Award for Journalistic Excellence, The Marine Corps Combat Correspondents
Association Distinguished Performance Award and six Armed Forces Writers
Association Distinguished Achievement Awards. Segel has authored four books,
including "Men in Space" which received the honor of being placed on both
the National High School and National Junior High School Library Lists. He
currently writes for several on line publications, national magazines and
newspapers. His writings are distributed nationally to more than 1,300
publications by the Paragon Foundation News Service. He holds an
undergraduate degree from the University of Texas Pan American and earned
his masters degree at Vanderbilt University. He is a past national president
of the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association. Segel
resides with his wife, Pattie, in Harlingen, Texas.
Veterans betrayal day February 12,2005 we support the vets