Promises
Promises are easy to make, but often much harder to keep.
Both Presidential candidates are promising to “fix” what is wrong with this country, the challenges we face, and to take on “BIG” government to correct the problems. I think everyone is in agreement regardless of party affiliations that we as a nation are in much need of correction.
I have listened to every debate and while a laundry list of promises have been espoused by both candidates to include our economic crisis, border control, fuel independence, and so on, the one promise I have not heard is the one to take on the VA calling for a total housecleaning and reform so that our veterans do not have to do yet another battle after giving their service to our country defending our freedoms.
You can’t secure our borders, or protect our country without the fine men and women of our Armed Services. There is no America as we know it without them. We can’t defend ourselves let alone anyone else without their faithful service.
So how is it that the VA, the very government agency solely responsible for addressing our veteran’s needs, is being allowed to fly under the radar and is not named as one of the top agencies that need to be shaken up and restructured? A day of accountability called for?
I listened as Senator McCain said, “The veterans know I am there for them, that they know I will not let them down.” I was reminded of the number of contacts I made to the Senator over the last 3 years and way before he threw his hat into the ring as a Presidential candidate through his organization “Straight Talk America”.
Giving the benefit of the doubt, I thought the odds were high that he like so many was unaware of the Improved Pension, but that of all people who could probably best rectify that, I thought I had found the one voice who could and would. Who better to bring it to national attention?
I’m sorry to say that for all my efforts to contact him, I never received one response.
My final contact to Senator McCain, which also did not receive a response, is the following:
Senator,
As an elected official you are charged with speaking for those for who you were elected to represent as well as your responsibilities as a ranking member of the Armed Forces Committee.
For all the positions that you hold, you bring the unique combination of not only being a veteran, but the experience of having suffered at the hands of an enemy as a Prisoner of War, and know the price that is paid.
I have long admired and respected you for your character and sacrifice to our country, but it was indeed a great disappointment that no one on your staff contacted me or followed up with regards to my inquires and letters.
I contacted you several times through “Straight Talk America: thinking that you of all people would be the most responsive and supportive of my efforts to help inform our veterans and their families by disseminating information about this little known “Improved Pension” benefit with emphasis on the Aid and Attendance portion of the benefit.
I remember watching the news highlighting your release as well as other POWS returning home. I along with the rest of America held my breath as you stepped through that airplane door and safely back on US soil. I believe that every American cried that day.
I also remember running my fingers over the name engraved on the POW bracelet that I wore hoping that my soldier, Captain Calvin Mawell, had returned home with you.
For my contacts to you Senator, I had truly hoped for more.
Respectfully,
Debbie Burak
We are down to the wire and counting the days to the upcoming election, and I am still hoping for more. There could never be a more critical opportunity in this country to get this topic in front of the American people where it belongs. During elections candidates seem to have more time to listen to what the voters want or at least go through the motions of listening hoping to win your vote.
Don’t be silent - Speak up America! If you will be involved in any town meetings or rallies and have the opportunity to put this subject in front of your candidate, you need to do so.
This is the time to demand a reform of an agency that fails not only our elderly veterans on a daily basis, but ALL veterans who never suspected that the battles they faced while in service would be met with yet another battle with the least likely of foes - The government of the country it defended.
