I made it and congratulations are in order! It was a tough row to hoe, but I have achieved a “real man” certificate. First, I tried alcohol consumption , figuring “real men” can drink a lot. The results are below:

After a night of drinking with my buddy, someone snapped this picture. It did not work making me a “real man” because someone made it a cartoon.

And, yes, I did try quiche once, and most people know that “real men” don’t eat quiche.
But, I checked my “man card” at the door of the cafe serving quiche, so that can’t be held against me.

I couldn’t “prove” my manhood in the military, and, just because I had a wife, kids, and grandchildren does not mean that I have “become a man” yet.

Nope. The new “manhood” is you don’t become a man until you have waited for the VA to resolve your benefit claim for 10 years. I made it! Recently, I passed the 10 year claim anniversary, and still no resolution to my claims.
In fact, my most recent BVA decision gave me a ticket to ride the VA hamster wheel for the next 10 years!

Editor note:

Joe Average Vet would have us award him an Outstanding Man award for his 10-year investment in fighting VA. Sorry Joe. You get a Bronze on this.

I have 23 years into it and barely rate a Silver. My claim is currently getting ready to be heard at the Court some time in 2013 marking 24.

Look at Wyn Wn who won her 1979 CUE recently and is now faced with the prospect of fighting for an actual rating rather than the ice creme cone with no ice creme in it that she received. She’ll get her Gold some time in 2020 unless I miss my guess. Thirty three years to a Gold Medal is enough to try the patience of Job. Nevertheless, she evinces the winning sentiment: REFUSE TO LOSE.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS

NOT JUSTICE DENIED

MAKING LIFE MISERABLE FOR

VETS SINCE THE WAR OF 1812

They’re chiseling in a new logo at Fort Fumble on Vermont Ave. It will read ” For he who shall survive the interminable wait, his widow (if she survives) and his orphan child who may or may not receive accrued benefits”.

Nod