RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,143776,00.html

What's new? They've always been too late with the care needed and more than a dollar short.

We need to look out for and take care of our veterans. They have done so much for us that giving them anything less than the best health care possible shows that we are nothing more than spoiled and ungrateful.

I agree that the case of Lucey is a tragic example of ineptitude and apathy. However, not all of us VAMC employees are as pathetic as we are made to sound. I head the PTSD program at the VAMC in Richmond, VA, and are team is busting our collective asses to help not only the returning veterans, but also ensuring that that valiant men and women that came before are not forgotten. The media is damn quick to lump as all together as red-tape desk jockeys when they conveniently overlook the good that the majority of us are trying to accomplish. Then again, I am preaching to the choir as the media has manipulated enough negative information at the expense of the sacrifices of so many of our honorably men and women. What would you suggest we, as VAMC employees do, to better serve ALL of our veterans?

Thanks for letting me spout off.

-John Benesek

Sorry..I meant HONORABLE men and women.

It is Great that there are so many dedicated employees trying to Help our Nation's Heroes Heal!
We are grateful there are dedicated, empathetic, professional health care providers that are trying to make a difference!
The issue is the bureaucratic entanglement and the fact that the system has been chronically overburden by LACK of Appropriate Funding! This wheel has been broken for decades and needs to fixed NOW or there will be no future for our Defenders of Freedom! Let's Make this Simple....Our Brave Men & Women who have Served DESERVE Better than this. Status Quo will NOT be tolerated any longer! Veterans Unite and have your voices heard Loud and Clear. Do not show up in DC as single organizations, but rather as a cohesive group of this Nation's most Loyal, Dedicated, Brave Americans!
If ever there was a time to fix the system, it Has to BE Now, if not yesterday!

To each and every Veteran, All of our Troops, every Gold Star Family Member, POW/MIA Family we applaud you, Support You and insist this Nation spend what ever tax dollars necessary to get it right! You all deserve to get your share of the Monetary Allotments! Who needs another pork barrel project, program or research study!

FIX IT! Our elected officials have been entrusted to do their constituents bidding! Now it is time for them to answer the Call! The buck stops at their doors! Take care of this Nation's most precious assets, not you own A**es.

I Believe in our Military and We Honor ALL of YOU! I am Here for you; everyday fighting to improve and maintain pressure for your benefits!! "The Pillow MOM!!"

God Bless Our Troops, Our Veterans, Our World Leaders, & America!

Respectfully,
Christina Finn
Founder / Coordinator
Patriotic Pillow Project SM
www.PatrioticPillowProject.org


"I have learned that in order to bring about change, you must not be
afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try. Each
and everyone of us can make a difference." Rosa Parks

I am sorry for the family of this devil dog, but these people are politically and financially motivated it would appear.

"Lucey's father, Kevin, says he and his wife hope their lawsuit will force the Bush administration to take swift action to fix the VA.

"They've got to look at the entire system of the VA," said Lucey, who spoke from his home in Belchertown, Mass. "We're hoping that it goes to trial and that people can truly see how dysfunctional the system is."

Kevin and Joyce Lucey joined the anti-war group Military Families Speak Out after their son's death."

I am not saying that the VA is perfect, all I am saying is that this devil dog was a weak minded individual who has no one else to blame but himself. It is sad that his family is trying to gain from his death.

War sucks, but more than likely this Marine had problems before he came into my beloved Corps.

I am reminded just recently of an individual under my supervision who didn't want to go over there, but of course didn't have a choice (except for the fact that HE ENLISTED!!!) and jumped off the 4th deck. Thank heaven he didn't lose his life, but he won't ever walk normal again.

Week minds! Thank God that he didn't take anyone else with him!

But of course I am cruel and heartless, just like the Bush adminstration or for that matter any other President who didn't actually fight a War just ordered one to be waged!

There is no such thing as personal accountability anymore!

quote:

Originally posted by gohokeys:
I agree that the case of Lucey is a tragic example of ineptitude and apathy. However, not all of us VAMC employees are as pathetic as we are made to sound. I head the PTSD program at the VAMC in Richmond, VA, and are team is busting our collective asses to help not only the returning veterans, but also ensuring that that valiant men and women that came before are not forgotten. The media is damn quick to lump as all together as red-tape desk jockeys when they conveniently overlook the good that the majority of us are trying to accomplish. Then again, I am preaching to the choir as the media has manipulated enough negative information at the expense of the sacrifices of so many of our honorably men and women. What would you suggest we, as VAMC employees do, to better serve ALL of our veterans?

Thanks for letting me spout off.

-John Benesek

It is not you as a person that we complain about. It is the system that is allowing Veterans to fall through the cracks. When a Veteran seeks help and is not given the assistance he/she needs then the system is broken. Mental evaluation can be fleeting and problematic in that a Veteran can be diagnosed as borderline but in reality needs help quickly. But the veteran is sent away perhaps because of case load or other factors. Don't take it personally. You as a person are trying to help, however overall the system is failing.

Overhaul Urged in Care for Soldiers

Dole-Shalala Commission Wants Bush to Act Quickly

By Steve Vogel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2007; A01

A presidential commission examining the care given to wounded U.S. service members yesterday recommended "fundamental changes" aimed at simplifying the military's convoluted health-care bureaucracy and overhauling the veterans disability system for the first time in more than half a century.
The commission, led by former senator Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.) and former Health and Human Services secretary Donna E. Shalala, met with President Bush at the White House yesterday morning to brief him on their findings and to press him for quick action. "We left there feeling the ball's in their court now," Dole said.
The panel issued six broad recommendations intended to transform a troubled system for military health care and veterans' assistance that has left some injured soldiers languishing for years and resulted in inequitable and inconsistent disability benefits.
The proposals include creating "recovery coordinators" who would help each seriously injured service member navigate the complexities of care, rehabilitation and disability; giving the Department of Veterans Affairs sole responsibility for determining payments for wounded veterans; and taking aggressive steps to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Read full report here ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Walter+Reed?tid=informline

VA health care is a freaking joke. I have a Congressional inquiry going on now involving a VA doctor who, when asked simply whether a anti-depression drug the VA prescribed would affect my performance in a job, proceeded to inform my prospective employer of my disability rating (not relevant) and her 'opinion' that I was not suited for the job I was being considered for. The doctor NEVER diagnosed or treated any of the conditions she cited as disqualifying, in fact, she made up diagnoses out of thin air. I see doctors through the Medicare and Tricare for Life system because the VA health care system is a haven for incompetent, arrogant, and third string medical personnel. I had a fee basis card for my service connected disability, it was yanked because the VA determined I could be better treated 'in house'. I saw my fee basis doctor every six weeks, was monitored for adverse effects to medication, and I had a good relationship with the doctor. Since being pulled back into the black hole that is the VA, I have been seen by a doctor ONCE in fifteen months, no medication monitoring, and my assigned doctor was transferred with no replacement. Five appointments were cancelled with one days notice.

The VA Health care system sucks. And their don't give a rat's *** attitude to the very people they are charged to assist is one reason why the job offer I worked so hard to obtain was withdrawn, based on a BS pencil whipped 'evaluation' by a total incompetent.

And people want the government to take over health care for the general population? God help us!

Step Back...
I'M 66, 26 in Navy
Had a great uncle die of mustard gas in a VA Hospital when I was small. Been hearing these horrer stories all my life. My parents said the same. We don't complain, its not our style. But our families do.
For all this to go on for this long, it has to be political. I submit the VA is a milking cow. And guess where the paper goes.

Yes the system is a mess, but in this particular case I'm not sure the VA is responsible. If the guy wouldn't get off the bottle, the VA personnel were right in that they couldn't do much more for him.

Since when did veterans get their due on return from war? Only in ancient times when each individual soldier shared in the booty and were given captured lands, slaves, or goods. Certainly in America's time, since the American Revolution, they haven't. What did the Revolutionary Soldier receive, his freedom from England and all that encompassed, certainly a plus. The Civil War, a few generals on the winning side did well, the average soldier received very little, in most cases nothing for loss of limb or loss of property during his absence on war duty. WWI veterans as some may remember were confronted by the US Military's Major General Douglas MacArthur while demonstrating for benefits for their service and the military was sent by non other than President FDR to suppress their attempts with some violence toward them, in 1932. I've known at least a half dozen WWII soldiers who were never compensated properly or given proper medical treatment for conditions of military service, same for Korean veterans. The list goes on and on. I'm a 100%, Service Connected, Combat disabled Vietnam Veteran. My livelihood was cut short at age 54 during my peak earning years by debilitating Agent Orange illnesses and the Supreme Court and the legal system through Judge Winestein of NY have blocked my ability to sue Chemical Companies for compensation. I also get haphazard service when reporting for service-connected treatment related to my disabilities. It is possible that someday America will need the troops for a real, justified endeavor and no one will show up for duty. Shame, shame, shame. I love you too!

It pains me to hear comments about our returning servicemembers suffering with PTSD. I worked as a civilian nurse at Walter Reed for the past three years and just recently left for an office job--simply b/c I could'nt take seeing the beauracratic BS in action on a daily basis. These kids, I call them kids b/c I have kids their age and it has been 20 years since I wore boots and cammies. The LCpl who committed suicide was not weak, there are simply some people who may have seen less than he did, or saw exaxtly what he has seen and were better able to process and filter those images. If the government would spend as much time actually fixing the problems that it creates instead of million plus dollar renovations that are just cosmetic in nature (ie, the president is coming to visit, we need to paint, cut the nursing staff and use that money, who needs nursing care!!) then there would be no suicides. And if there continues to be more, then don't let it be for a lack of resources. I am proud of the fact the I served the military, both in USMC uniforms and in nursing scrubs. I am also proud of the people that I worked with in helping to heal the bodies and minds of these physically and mentally wounded citizens. Sometimes a kind word and a heartfelt hug works better than any pill could. I like to think that I had a hand in helping someone on the road to recovery b/c I, like others, took the time out to listen.

I have met John Benesek, and truly he is one of the very few VA mental health counselors in Richmond worth a dern. He is sincere and dedicated no doubt about it, I admire him greatly, however, I can't say that for the rest of his team. In response...if the VA stories were a rare few it would be one thing, but repeatedly there are simply too many horror stories about inadequate care of our Veterans. Too many Soldiers and Marines these days are refusing to go to the VA because it's a nightmare and a joke. Not to mention the VA does everything in it's power to not pay benefits to those that deserve it. When one is depressed and in pain whether physical or mental it is very difficult to fight for yourself. The VA knows this and their hope is these people will give up and just go away....very much like the civilian disability system. In my opinion the VA should be turned over to the private sector. It is a MESS due to beurocrazy, incompetent staff, not enough staff, shortage of funding, it's inability to be progressive, on and on. It is a "broken system" indeed. Of note, it is interesting how different facilities across the country vary, some are excellent and others suck. Nothing is in place to hold the VA accountable. There seems to be no uniformity or quality control at the different hospitals and satellites, it all depends on the people running them and our Veterans are left at the mercy of these people. Our country is in serious trouble if we don't clean it up and start assisting our Veterans. I loathe the media, however, I believe opening this can of worms in the long run will be a positive. I hope so because I want to see our Veterans receive the best of care. They certainly have earned it and deserve it.

W/the Lucey case, he should have never been denied care because of alcohol, PTSD and alcohol go hand in hand. It is a bit of an oxymoron, not to mention irresponsible to say come back when you stop drinking, he is drinking to numb his pain due to his PTSD. That is not rocket science. I hope his parents win the law suit. No Soldier or Marine that reaches out should ever be turned away period. It takes a person hitting rock bottom as well as a great deal of courage to reach out for "help". The Soldiers hate that term. It makes them feel weak. It's sickening that this family did reach out and were rejected. And until the term PTSD has it's stigma removed thousands more will commit suicide, end up divorced, homeless, in prison, and all the rest. I personally know two Soldiers that have committed suicide in the last 3 months due to PTSD because of not being able to get adequate help. Both were incredibly good people and amazing Soldiers. We lost two great Americans because the VA failed them. Very, very sad.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Feb8,

The Lucey ordeal is tragic to say the least. I went to the VA clinic here in Pueblo Colorado a time back not doing well, ask to see someone and was told "This is not a walk in Clinic." He may have been told the same thing or something close.

So what else is new.
If the VA had been doing its job 35 years ago organizations such as Swords to Ploughshares and Flower in the Dragon would not have been necessary.
This generation of Veterans is going to have learn what we learned after Viet Nam, forget the VA, forget the feds. Organize your selves and help yourselves, because if you wait for the government to do what is right to many of you will either die or be imprisoned just as our generation of Veterans learned the hard way three decades ago.

If the Va can't take care of every single vet that served this country then they should contract to civilian hospitals. There are too many people dying for lack of care. If high ranking officials would drop in on the VA hospitals un-announced instead of giving them a plan to cover up what is going on, then they could see more clearly what is going on.

quote:

Originally posted by gohokeys:
I agree that the case of Lucey is a tragic example of ineptitude and apathy. However, not all of us VAMC employees are as pathetic as we are made to sound. I head the PTSD program at the VAMC in Richmond, VA, and are team is busting our collective asses to help not only the returning veterans, but also ensuring that that valiant men and women that came before are not forgotten. The media is damn quick to lump as all together as red-tape desk jockeys when they conveniently overlook the good that the majority of us are trying to accomplish. Then again, I am preaching to the choir as the media has manipulated enough negative information at the expense of the sacrifices of so many of our honorably men and women. What would you suggest we, as VAMC employees do, to better serve ALL of our veterans?

Thanks for letting me spout off.

-John Benesek

I agree with you. Unfortunately the rank and file VA Employees are lumped together with the "leadership". I work with a lot of VA employees and most of them believe in what they are doing. I tell our returning soldiers "the VA is not your friend. There are some great people who will help you, but the system is NOT YOUR FRIEND."

My husband has been diagnosed with PTSD 17 years ago. He was sent to the National Center for
PTSD in 1994. When he was released he was sent home to a psychologist that had never spent a single day in boot camp let alone combat.
The V.A never tried to reassign him to someone he felt could relate to. Now he gets the same "treatment" as everyone else on the Mental Health team. Pills pills pills pills pills pills pills pills pills. They have successfully immasculated him with these PILLS and he has next to no sex drive OR motivation to do ANYTHING. I realize there are plenty of health care workers at all the V.A hospitals and clinics that care. But you have to realize that
the dictates the SYSYEM gives these care givers are limited by the way the administrators tell them to spend the money they are alloted each year.
There should be flocks of mental health workers that care for our vets but there isn"t and won"t be because as my parents put it"They are just trying to get attention" in the eyes of V.A and the mmilitary.

quote:

Originally posted by 13498584:
Since when did veterans get their due on return from war? Only in ancient times when each individual soldier shared in the booty and were given captured lands, slaves, or goods. Certainly in America's time, since the American Revolution, they haven't. What did the Revolutionary Soldier receive, his freedom from England and all that encompassed, certainly a plus. The Civil War, a few generals on the winning side did well, the average soldier received very little, in most cases nothing for loss of limb or loss of property during his absence on war duty. WWI veterans as some may remember were confronted by the US Military's Major General Douglas MacArthur while demonstrating for benefits for their service and the military was sent by non other than President FDR to suppress their attempts with some violence toward them, in 1932. I've known at least a half dozen WWII soldiers who were never compensated properly or given proper medical treatment for conditions of military service, same for Korean veterans. The list goes on and on. I'm a 100%, Service Connected, Combat disabled Vietnam Veteran. My livelihood was cut short at age 54 during my peak earning years by debilitating Agent Orange illnesses and the Supreme Court and the legal system through Judge Winestein of NY have blocked my ability to sue Chemical Companies for compensation. I also get haphazard service when reporting for service-connected treatment related to my disabilities. It is possible that someday America will need the troops for a real, justified endeavor and no one will show up for duty. Shame, shame, shame. I love you too!

I thought FDR took office on Jan. 20, 1933. You just can't trust those suckers.