Here is Channel 10

The awful truth is that this story is going to be repeated a thousand more times, with a thousand different injuries. This vet is going to made to jump through some serious hoops before he ever gets a dime. If he gets that dime the VA is going to hound him every few years to see if he still "deserves" his pension. Although the country has been more supportive of returning veterans than in the past, once you get passed the chickenhawks waving Chinese made flags at them on a Memorial Day float the same old shit takes place. We don't treat these guys very well. Maybe if they "Had other priorities" or a father in congress things would be different. The Bush administration, with Allen's support, has neglected the VA heath care system in the name of reform. This is what we get from Bush/Allen, trading Purple Hearts for Purple fingers, and telling us it is worth it.

With support from area veterans, Weed speaks against war in Iraq is the News Advance article by Blair Goldstein

He writes

Weed stood next to the military men and said American troops returning from the Middle East are not receiving the financial and medical support they deserve.

He said sending leaders to Congress who have military experience, such as himself and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Webb, will begin to change those trends.

Neither Weed’s opponent, Republican Rep. Virgil Goode, nor Webb’s opponent, Republican Sen. George Allen, served in the military.

But I will have to write him a letter and tell him that a woman veteran was there, too.  This is an opportunity to tell him about Ramona Valdez

And here is more about James Wilson

Speaking under the memorial’s emblematic arch, former Army Specialist James Wilson told the crowd of media that he never imagined after two tours in Iraq he would be left alone to fight a serious brain injury.

Wilson, a New Orleans native who moved to Charlottesville after Hurricane Katrina, said he suffers from traumatic brain injury after improvised explosive devices were detonated under his Humvee in Sadr City, Iraq.

He said he is already about $90,000 in debt from medical bills, unable to afford medication to reduce swelling in his brain and in persistent pain. He is in a dispute with the Army over his benefits.

“Just give us what we were promised,” said Wilson. “I didn’t ask to be wounded or to be a hero.”

“I don’t expect to be treated like a football player or anything, but we should be at the front of the line for health care.”

Wilson was one of four veterans to speak at the news conference. Each highlighted his military career and expressed discontent with the war on terror and what they called the government’s faltering support of veterans.

Many said they support Weed’s ideas about the military.

Yes he has written letters to Goode, Allen, Warner and most of VA and LA representatives. They all say they will look into it.
The letters of no help from Senators and Congressmen are almost as high as Mr. Wilson's Medical Bills. Today from Al Weed Mr. Wilson recieved more help with a news conference then fromany elected official. Thank You Channel 10 for running part of the story on the 5 o'clock news.

Kudos to Kathy Gerber on this fine thread.  As a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, my experience teaches me that the real psychic damage of war often comes many years after the last bullet is fired in anger.  See my self-help website:  www.PTSDhelp.net.

In no way, can I fathom what these fine young men and women in uniform are experiencing today.  Many are now on their third combat tour and many will be scarred for life regardless of how the war in Iraq ends.

During John Kerry's presidential campaign I was deeply involved with his effort from Iowa to the bitter end.  I disagreed with his vote to give Bush the power to wage war in Iraq.  Nonethless, I still believed Kerry was the best choice.  After all, if any candidate in '04 should have had the knowledge and the experience to understand the folly of elective war it was John Kerry.

We have all betrayed ourselves and the young men and women who tongiht stand in harm's way.  In blood, limbs, and shattered lives, they are paying the price for our poor choices.  We -- especially those of us who lived through Vietnam -- have often squandered our votes and our right to stand up and say no to elective war.

As citizens, whether we are veterans or not, there is a  need to elect those among us who have had military experience.  In generations past it was a given that a candidate's election to office was built on a foundation of prior military service.  That is an old-fashioned notion that needs a rebirth.

I'm in agreement with Jim Webb in his analogy of the "theorists" versus those who have actually been in the thick of the fight.  As for me, until this war ends and our country is again secure, I will neither support nor advocate for any candidate who has not had an active duty military experience.

 

that's a great site - thanks for the link.