A fellow I grew up with has a friend he served with who lost his job, and is now losing his home, all because he served. I wonder how many other stories like this never make the news?

IMO it sucks...

I read a good (but depressing) article about The Economic Abuse Of Veterans In America a few days ago.

Quote:I have WITNESSED this first hand while examining the case of Warren Bodecker, a Montana local and WWII hero who helped to liberate over 2000 prisoners near execution from the Los Banos prison camp in the Philippines.

Bodeker’s 89 years of life have been filled with amazing accomplishments and a certain level of success. It is saddening that in his old age, during days in which he should be allowed some measure of peace, he has come under attack by so many despicable circumstances and people.

Warren’s wife, after battling cancer for a decade, had finally passed. Her body was put to rest on the family farm, but her medical bills were not. With debt and interest payments mounting, and Warren living essentially alone, the stress and fear of insolvency ruled his waking moments. He then made a terrible error; he trusted his fate and his home to the bankruptcy system.

Quote:The vet was surrounded by frenzied piranha. With little understanding of bankruptcy law or what was expected of him, he didn’t have a chance. The system, his lawyer, and the Trustee all asserted the same lie; that if he just quietly rolled over, all would be well. He has now lost everything, including his home. He will be forced to exhume his wife’s body from the land he also planned to rest on, with no conceivable future beyond homelessness and regret.

I have first hand experience about medical issues faced by many Vietnam vets, well over over half of whom are suffering from the after effects of hepititis contracted during their tours in Southeast Asia. The government has decided it is cheaper to let them die, than it is to see about getting them transplants. I was lucky I had good insurance, and didn't have to go through the VA for my transplant...

One of these days, Uncle Sam is going to ask for volunteers and nobody will show up...

"The most successful war seldom pays for its losses."
- Thomas Jefferson