{This blog is not affiliated with the VA. Though a Veteran, four yrs. all shore in Navy last year In-Country Vietnam, I don't work for the VA}
**USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71 - Independent**


In 2003 some 72% of Americans fully supported the Abandoning of the Missions and those Sent to Accomplish so extremely Quickly after 9/11!!
At least some 95%, if not more as less then 1% serve them, not only still support the, just below, total lack of Sacrifice, they ran from any and all Accountability and left everything still on the table to be continually used if the political/military want was still in play in future executive/legislative wants!!
DeJa-Vu: “With no shared sacrifices being asked of civilians after Sept. 11", Decades and War From, All Over Again!!
Especially for the Corporate and Wealthy Community, investors in Defense Industries, and for these, Afghanistan and Iraq, came Two Huge Tax Cuts, with more sweetheart deals to same from states and the fed!!


Thousands of people across America don’t just talk about honoring Veterans; they walk the walk. Dedicated Volunteers Serve Veterans for Decades

On this Executive Administration, it's Cabinet and those directly around same, "Best - Ever": "We haven't had this kind of visibility from the White House—ever." Joyce Raezer National Military Family Association - Dec. 30, 2011, and plenty more of similar since Joyce, others, spoke and continues!

Ask yourself: If the Veterans Administration is so corrupt and mismanaged, as the conservative ideology, under which the seeds of are planted when they control, wants everyone to buy into as they obstruct the budgets and do extremely little after they charge same, then why does the Private sector, many problems within rarely heard about, adopt so many practices and advanced technologies developed within the VA, for free?! The VA, DoD, and in partnership with Universities and Colleges, not just Health Care are constantly in R&D and that developed that works is quickly moved into the private, for profit, sector, even as the VA is long under funded, decades, and especially during and after our wars that the few are sent into!

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President Obama 26 August 2014

Fact: "This is not just a job of government. It’s not just a job of the veterans’ organizations. Every American needs to join us in taking care of those who've taken care of us. Because only 1 percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but 100 percent of Americans benefit from that 1 percent. A hundred percent need to be supporting our troops. A hundred percent need to be supporting our veterans. A hundred percent need to be supporting our military families."

Fact:
"We’ve been able to accomplish historic increases to veterans funding. We’ve protected veterans health care from Washington politics with advanced appropriations. We’ve been able to make VA benefits available to more than 2 million veterans who didn't have them before, including more Vietnam vets who were exposed to Agent Orange. We’ve dedicated major new resources for mental health care. We’ve helped more than 1 million veterans and their families pursue their education under the Post-9/11 GI Bill."

August 26, 2014 - Secretary Robert A. McDonald's Remarks for the American Legion's 96th Annual Convention, Charlotte, NC
Fact: "Unlike, P&G, VA may not be concerned about quarterly profit and loss statements or shareholder value, but it does have a bottom line—Veterans. "
{which is why No Government agency should be turned into a private corporate entity feeding for profit off the Countries duty and responsibility, especially the VA}
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Fact: “We are dealing with veterans, not procedures—with their problems, not ours.” —General Omar Bradley, First Administrator of the Veterans Administration

Facts: Matthew Hoh {former Marine and foreign service officer in Afghanistan}: "We spend a trillion dollars a year on national security in this country."
"And when you add up to the Department of Defense, Department of State, CIA, Veterans Affairs, interest on debt, the number that strikes me the most about how much we're committed financially to these wars and to our current policies is we have spent $250 billion already just on interest payments on the debt we've incurred for the Iraq and Afghan wars."
26 September 2014

Fact: "If military action is worth our troops’ blood, it should be worth our treasure, too — not just in the abstract, but in the form of a specific ante by every American." -Andrew Rosenthal 10 Feb. 2013

Fact: "12 years also is a long time. We now have a lifetime responsibility to a generation of service members, veterans and their families." Dr. Jonathan Woodson 11 Sep. 2013: With 9/11 Came Lifetime Responsibility
{two tax cuts, especially for the wealthy, came with these two recent unpaid for wars, nor the results of, DeJa-Vu all over again from the previous decades and wars from! Ignore the many issues, by those served, no need to fund!}

Fact: Sen. Bernie Sanders told Republicans: “If you can’t afford to take care of your veterans, than don’t go war. These people are bearing the brunt of what war is about, We have a moral obligation to support them.” February, 26th, 2014

Fact: 25 June 2014 U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller: Veterans' Affairs issue an 'all too similar' scene

Fact: How We Could Do More For Our Vets: "We need to go into debt to pay our debt to U.S. veterans to make sure they get the care and services we owe them."

Fact: “Why in 2009 were we still using paper?” VA Assistant Secretary Tommy Sowers “When we came in, there was no plan to change that; we’ve been operating on a six month wait for over a decade.” 27 March 2013

WHY? GOOD QUESTION THOSE SERVED SHOULD ANSWER!


Bob Herbert Losing Our Way : "And then the staggering costs of these wars, which are borne by the taxpayers. I mean, one of the things that was insane was that, as we're at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush administration cut taxes. This has never been done in American history. The idea of cutting taxes while you're going to war is just crazy. I mean, it's madness." Bill 'Moyers and Company': Restoring an America That Has Lost its Way 10 Oct. 2014

Presidential Proclamation -- Veterans Day, 2013: "As we pay tribute to our veterans, we are mindful that no ceremony or parade can fully repay that debt." read more>>>


Under two previous Executive administrations and wars from, father and son. With son and conservative congresses leading the extremely quick abandoning of the missions and those sent to accomplish after 9/11:

ProPublica and The Seattle Times Nov. 9, 2012 - Lost to History: Missing War Records Complicate Benefit Claims by Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans
"DeLara's case is part of a much larger problem that has plagued the U.S. military since the 1990 Gulf War: a failure to create and maintain the types of field records that have documented American conflicts since the Revolutionary War."

Part Two: A Son Lost in Iraq, but Where Is the Casualty Report?

Army Says War Records Gap Is Real, Launches Recovery Effort

3/27/15 - U.S. Nerve Gas Hit Our Own Troops in Iraq
"During and immediately after the first Gulf War, more than 200,000 of 700,000 U.S. troops sent to Iraq and Kuwait in January 1991 were exposed to nerve gas and other chemical agents. Though aware of this, the Department of Defense and CIA launched a campaign of lies and concocted a cover-up that continues today."
"When Brown and others tried to obtain their medical records to prove their illnesses were service-related, they learned that the records had disappeared."


Add in the issues of finally recognizing in War Theater and more Veterans, by the Shinseki Veterans Administration and the Executive Administrations Cabinet, what the Country choose to ignore from our previous decades and wars of: The devastating effects on Test Vets and from PTS, Agent Orange, Homelessness, more recent the Desert Storm troops Gulf War Illnesses, Gulf War Exposures with the very recent affects from In-Theater Burn Pits and oh so so much more! Tens of Thousands of Veterans' that have been long ignored and maligned by previous VA's and the whole Country and through their representatives!

How does a Country HONOR It's Fallen, by Their Own 'Sacrifice' in Taking Care of the Brothers and Sisters They Served With!!


"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." - Abraham Lincoln

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan" - President Lincoln

She wrote that she's proud of her service but added this: "That doesn't change the fact that I contributed - however indirectly - to human beings vanishing from the earth in a moment of sheer agony."







For our sisters: National Women Veterans Hotline, call 1-855-VA-WOMEN1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-66361-855-829-6636) New Hotline now up and running







They are a coalition of leading Veterans, mostly of OEF and OIF, and national security organizations who recognize that climate change is a major threat, and support fast, bold action. It is time for Americans to rise to the challenge, and we’re taking on the fight.





Their Mission: Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Learn More




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Veterans Resources: VA,Orgs.,Groups,Research,more


Grace After Fire provides support for and helps women veterans of the United States miliary who are returning from active duty so that they can re-engage as mothers, wives and daughters in civilian life. read more>>>

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Article:

Fresno veterans program goes nationwide


{click on pic to visit site}

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Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH)

Overview

The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (the Act) (Public Law 110-161) enacted December 26, 2007, provided $75 million dollars of funding for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program as authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United Stated Housing Act of 1937. The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics. {continued}
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"Semper Fido"


These types of programs are what the citizens of this country should be paying for, i.e. 'Sacrifice', but the greater majority embrace them as long as small groups around the country develope and then need to reach out for the needed funding to keep them going, instead of the country of Demanding They Pony Up!!

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The US-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin


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The Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Research and Development is launching the Million Veteran Program (MVP), an important partnership between VA and Veterans. The goal of MVP is to better understand how genes affect health and illness in order to improve health care for Veterans.


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Center for Women Veterans


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The DCoE Outreach Center was created to provide information on psychological health and traumatic brain injury. It does not function as a treatment or counseling center and cannot provide advice.

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Project Healing Waters


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As Well As:
VA’s green management program webpage
VA Recovery
The Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to improving the environment. We are making great strides towards operating more energy efficient facilities, using more renewable energy, “greening” our vehicle fleets, and achieving other milestones on the path to environmental sustainability.

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'Paws for Purple Hearts' helping with PTSD<----->National Intrepid Center for Excellence

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The best support and information resource for military spouses and significant others of all branches, around the world.

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Press Release: New VA Support Line Provides Important Assistance to Caregivers
Benefits and Support Information a Phone Call Away

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Veterans Administration Office of Survivors Assistance


VA's Office of Survivors Assistance was established "to serve as a resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the Department to survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces." If you're a survivor, please take a look at the site to learn how VA can help.

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Welcome to NC’s Partnership for Combat Veterans and Their Families


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PTSD: Second Life Island: 21 Jan 2011 - Service members who suspect they may be experiencing post traumatic stress can now do a sort of "reality check" in a brand new virtual world.

The T2 Virtual PTSD Experience

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50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War


Commemoration

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Portal Helps Vets, Reserves, Guardsmen Land Jobs

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Families At Ease


Families At Ease works with family members who become aware of their Veteran’s post-deployment difficulties—and supports their efforts to find help for the Veteran.

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The Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) is a DoD-wide effort to help National Guard and Reserve Service members and their families connect with local resources before, during, and after deployments, especially during the reintegration phase that occurs months after Service members return home.

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Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

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Third Annual DoD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference


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The American Veteran
Click Here To Visit

A video news magazine designed to inform veterans, their families and their communities about the services and benefits they have earned through their service to America. {Started in September 2009, video reports from that month forward at site, scroll down and click on 'American Veteran', under video player, to show the previous episodes}

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Military Veterans bringing Medical Aid and Comfort


Team Rubicon bridges the critical time gap between large natural disasters and conventional aid response. more

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In Transition


Are you a Service Member in transition? Are you concerned about your mental health treatment?

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Where to Get Help for PTSD


VA PTSD Program Locator

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National Center for PTSD


PTSD Research Quarterly (RQ)

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Understanding PTSD


Understanding PTSD (Flash) is an interactive program to help you learn about common reactions to trauma, hear real stories from trauma survivors who have dealt with PTSD, and find out how to get help.

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For Veterans and the General Public


This section of the website is intended to support you, our Veterans, and other trauma survivors. Find information for family members and all who want to learn more about traumatic stress.

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Collaboration: Free Services on PTSD Issues
Article can be found Here
Collaborating Partners:
Centerstone.org
Or
Not Alone.com

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Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group

Mental Health Issues and PTSD/TBI

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Stop the Bleeding

This year, 170,000 Americans will die from a traumatic injury. Trauma is the #1 cause of death for children and adults ages 1 to 44. More

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Combat to Community

"Our goal is not to give veterans a ‘get out of jail free card,’ but rather to make sure that the population is understood. Because veterans make up less than one percent of the population, there is often a lack of cultural competency"

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Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP)

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Click Graphic for Information on VA Mental Health

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Claim Denied!: How to Appeal a VA Denial of Benefits

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The Warrior Gateway Project


The Warrior Gateway Program has been designed to promote easier reintegration into home communities. {read more}

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Feds Hire Vets


Follow on Facebook

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Helping A Hero


Helping a Hero is a 501(c)(3) non profit, non-partisan organization providing support for military personnel, severely injured in the war on terror. Our principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for qualifying service members as well as engaging the community to provide services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families.

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We Honor Veterans


Hospice Professionals on a Mission to Serve

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Project New Hope


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Veterans Medical Foster Homes


Medical Foster Home (MFH) is a type of Community Residential Care (CRC) home chosen by the Veteran who is unable to live independently, as a preferred means to receive family-style living with room, board, and personal care. {read more}

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From uniform to pulp, Battlefield to workshop, Warrior to artist


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Millennial Generation


Millennial Veterans: Beyond The Welcome Home

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Supportive Services for Veterans Families


VA readies homeless prevention program

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Operation Free


Secure America with Clean Energy

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Women Veterans Health Care


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The Guardian House


Homelessness and Women Veterans


USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today


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The American Battle Monuments Commission


The ABMC commemorative mission is reflected in 24 overseas military cemeteries that serve as resting places for almost 125,000 American war dead; on Tablets of the Missing that memorialize more than 94,000 U.S. servicemen and women; and through 25 memorials, monuments and markers.

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Honored in Death for Their Service in Life


The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program has provided burial services for more than 600 homeless veterans since the program’s inception.

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Welcome To DPMO


The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) is responsible for establishing and overseeing policies on the rescue of living Americans and the recovery of the remains of those who are missing in action from foreign battle fields. Continued

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For Wounded, Ill and Injured Service Members, Veterans, Families of, and Those Who Support

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Women Veterans


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Missing in America Project


Bury A Hero

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The USO Wounded Warrior Centers


Stepping Up: To Help America's Wounded Warriors and Their Families

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Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command