With all the focus on Vets for the first time since the War of Northern Aggression (1861-65), we are starting to see a grateful America shower us with some of its accolades. This is heartwarming for Vietnam Veterans who, due to prior commitments, almost to a man missed their “Welcome home” ticker tape parades. A word to Veterans supporters. The phrase “Welcome home” grates on the ears of many Vietnam Vets. You may just hear the rejoinder “Really? Where the hell were you when I arrived back at San Francisco in 1972?” We forgive those who weren’t born yet but people need to understand that there is still a bit of animosity associated with that one.
On the brighter side, we have two pieces of good news. Member Randy of the mile-high club in Colorado (this has nothing to do with pot) decided he was a bit “miffed” about the summary courts martial on his ILP request and rightfully so. He got nowhere with it. In perspective, he filed his Form 21-1900 and got the standard dog and pony show. Then they decided there was absolutely nothing they could do for him. Nary a high-shelf can grabber or a grab bar for the shower. Seems ol’ Randy was flush and set for life in the lap of luxury. Apparently, Vets realize that when they hit the 100% lottery they are flush. $3 k ± a month plus SSD? Dude, you are rich. Ignore the fact that you are still an eighth of an inch above the poverty level and your shelf life sticker is screaming “done”. So Randy took electronic pen in hand and dropped a bottle into the IRIS ocean. More importantly, he dropped another in the Potomac River and it washed up in front of-ta-daaaa!- the Casa Blanca at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Randy reports instant success. It seems his “new” Vocational Rehabilitation Officer has decided to revisit their previous assessment and have a new pow wow. He will be having a tête à tête (beer summit?) at the end of the month and we’ll all be praying for his success on the Tempur pedic bed request. Nothing like a little Congressional/Presidential Interest on ILP.
Our second story is pure gold. Another of our fellow Veterans, Ralph (not his real name) came over from Hadit.com and asked for advice on back issues. He writes to say he was forced to catch up with Dr. Craig Bash between flights at the airport in Washington, D.C. Seems the VA wants to renege on his old ratings and zero him out. As an aside, I wish to express that I am shocked. Shocked-do you hear me? In addition, they’re trying to move him from DC 5003 to 5002 in spite of diagnosed osteoarthritis. Apparently, he is one of that extremely small minority who visited the Our Lady Of Lourdes Shrine and received the miracle of remission of his arthritis. Oddly, he disremembers traveling to Spain. Ralph even denies he possesses a passport. Immaculate Conception we are familiar with. Faith healing? I’m iffy on that but Immaculate Transportation? You can almost hear Jed Clampett saying “Yewwwwwwwww-doggies!”
In spite of this lack of proof of travel, VA still opted to reduce and switch. He was able to connect with the eminent nexus letter writer for a personal examination to quash the objections of VA that an examination of this sort could not be accomplished long distance via Skype or by records review. Here’s the kicker. Dr. Bash was en route to another city and agreed to see Ralph at the airport. Ralph flew in and they connected there. Starbucks, with a minimum of fuss, permitted them to pull two tables together in their airport outlet and allow Dr. Bash to do an exam on his back. I can imagine the nexus letter. ” The examination was conducted in my Washington, D.C. offices on June 29th. The findings were…” Is that a kick in the butt or what? I suggest you all visit Starbucks’ Facepage and thank them profusely for their gracious treatment of Veterans and for accommodating Dr. Bash and Ralphie. Only in America, nodsters. Only in America.
Veterans Administration’s 0%
Shrine to Remission and Healing
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
