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The implications of a prolonged war in Iraq on domestic issues grow daily. Our pride in our military will be more meaningful when we recognize the cost in lost and shattered lives now and in the future. The alternative to allowing the yellow ribbon magnets to fade may be either an emergence of a reinstituted draft after November 2006 elections or a weakened military against future threats.
As a former combat officer and candidate for elected office, "never forget" has a more profound meaning that will shape our country for future generations.
The choice how is ours.
In Rhode Island there are over 102,000 veterans and 4,000 plus active duty, guard and reserve -1,300 more who are deployed. As a Marine veteran who served during Desert Storm and assisted with combat zone to stateside transition, I can tell you there are some significant issues that need to be addressed by our citizens sporting those yellow ribbons. Failure to do so may result in exapnded recruitment options that may include the draft after 2006.
Too few of our elected know first hand the honor of military service. All too frequently, they do not fully appreciate the local and national impact of maintaining a force of readiness and keeping our "support the troops" promise. Our combat troop strength was not designed for sustained occupation for three plus years and certainly not five if Bush/Cheney get their way. This may explain why half of our homeless are Vietnam era veterans. The myriad of "mistakes"have an impact on military recruitment, retention and morale. My perceptions are shared by many who are members of the VFW, AMVETS, DAV and the American Legion.
The "humanity buzzsaw" is enabled by many in our Congress. It's members have the fewest level of prior military service in recent history. And they are seeking ways to cut benefits to veterans and active duty military while bilking billions of our tax dollars in no bid contracts to Halliburton and Blackwater (essentially a company providing mercenaries paid three times as much as our troops). While enormous sums are diverted to defense contractors, veterans are being asked to pay more out-of-pocket for healthcare and often wait six months for an appointment and three years or longer to have a medical appeal heard.
Currently, the Veterans Administration is under staffed and under funded by billions of dollars. Rhode Island does not have a state level veteran's department or a budget line item for funding; however, it does tax veterans' retirement income; whereas, many states, such as Florida, do not.
Activated reservists and guards who comprise as much as 50% of troop strength in Iraq and Afghanistan do not receive the same education benefits as their active duty counterparts upon separation from service.
Finally, "John" had 16 years of military service and is one of an estimated 170,000 troops who will be permanently disabled from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This number does not include the 20,000 dead or wounded (missing limbs, sight or spinal damaged.) If John's wife had not been a Navy nurse, he likely would have successfully committed suicide waiting to see his overworked VA psychiatrist. Given there have been more than 2,000 suicides from those serving in this GWOT and the Bush administration is recalling the inactive reserves to buttress the troops who have been deployed three times to stem a civil war with no short-term solution while cutting homeland security funds, I must ask do you believe a "rapid and responsible" withdrawal has any purposeful meaning? It's time national defense has a conscience and a real plan that pursues terrorists - not line pockets.
Carl
Sheeler... a working US Senator
www.carlsheeler.com
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