Letters to the Editor

Posted: 6:46 pm Thu, November 5, 2009
By admin

Respecting our veterans
As a veteran who served during Desert Shield/Storm, Bosnia, and the current Iraq war who currently works as a civil servant for the Army, I am dismayed with the indifference many Americans have toward their veterans.
Yes, the United States maintains an all-volunteer force that serves without any great expectations, but I am amazed at how quickly the American public dismisses the life and limb many service members have given for the freedom and security they enjoy.  Often times I get the impression the indifference of the American people is a direct reflection of the indifference that comes from our legislators and president in Washington, D.C.
It is with a furrowed brow that I read about the president’s indecision in responding to Gen. [Stanley] McChrystal’s request for more troops, and the Congress’s underhanded moves to impact veterans’ health care by slipping verbiage into the health care bill increasing out-of-pocket expenses, and increasing our annual premiums for veterans of all ages.
While I agree there is room for improvement in our health care system, the Congress should start with regulation of the insurance industry and not hidden shots at veteran’s health care. Yes, a fine example the individuals elected to represent all Americans are setting for the American public to follow.
I implore all Americans not to act as our representatives in Washington, D.C., have, but to recognize and acknowledge the hardships and sacrifices all of our veterans have made for this great nation this Veterans Day.
Chief Petty Officer R. Foster
Edgewater

A grateful nation honors and recognizes the 23.4 million living veterans this Veterans Day.
Of all the men and women who have taken up arms in our nation’s defense, more than half of them continue to live among us today. Those nearly 24 million veterans — from the “Greatest Generation” from World War II to the newly returning soldiers from the Middle East conflicts and all those who came before them — paid a price for the freedom and security we all enjoy today.
Throughout the Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System, we strive to serve all of those who have certified their citizenship in far-flung battlefields or in the homeland through military service.
Veterans Day is also an opportunity for Americans to pay their respect to all who’ve answered the call for military service. Participation in Veterans Day can be as simple as hanging a flag from a porch or reminding our younger generation of loved ones who have served in the military.
It can be more complex and rewarding to remember and honor those who served by reaching out to living veterans through volunteer opportunities throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System or involvement with any of the veterans service organizations.
Check out the VA Web site for Veterans Day activities at http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/, which lists a variety of resources, including a teacher’s guide, a poster gallery, a patriotic fact sheet and a history of Veterans Day.
At the VA Maryland Health Care System, every day is Veterans Day. We remain committed to providing the best care and service to the men and women who valiantly answered the call to serve this great nation in uniform.
We urge all community members to tell veterans they know who may not be enrolled for VA health care to drop by their local VA medical center or outpatient clinic, to call our enrollment center at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324, or to visit our Web site at www.maryland.va.gov to enroll for VA health care. It may be the most important thing they do to assure their continued health and well-being.
We are honored to join with millions of Americans in saying to our great veterans, “Thank you for your service!”
Dennis H. Smith
Director, VA Maryland Health Care System