Posted on Seattle PI and Blue Hampshire blogs: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/forum/boards/viewsearch.asp?boardid=121&term=veterans : http://www.bluehampshire.com/frontPage.do
As Vietnam veterans, we join the millions of members and families of the active military, other veterans and families of veterans who strongly believe that Senator Barack Obama is ready and able to serve as our next president and Commander-in-Chief. He has consistently displayed the character, vision, judgment and temperament required of a president and Commander-in-Chief. Barack Obama also knows that a successful Commander-in-Chief understands that while our military is critically important, it is only one element in a national security strategy that must include diplomacy and regaining America’s moral world leadership, as well as ordering troops into combat. Not only will Barack Obama be an excellent Commander-in-Chief for the best military in the world but he also believes that a sacred trust exists between our government and its warriors and veterans. Never again should our troops be placed in harm’s way based on ill advised strategy, inadequate armor and protection, and insufficient troop strength requiring third and fourth tours. The sacred trust includes a commitment of support to veterans that does not end when we return to civilian life. Americans were shocked to learn of the disgraceful treatment of the wounded returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will honor service and ensure that ongoing needs and concerns are never forgotten.An Obama-Biden administration will ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receives full funding so that it can care for all veterans without having to prioritize which of us are treated. VA hospitals will also be held to a higher standard through improved transparency through reporting with the emphasis continuing to be on the quality and effectiveness of the care we receive. Improved communication and data sharing between the Pentagon and the VA will enhance long-term planning and prevent budgetary shortfalls that have consistently plagued us in the past. For those of us frustrated with having to wait for decisions on our benefit claims, an Obama-Biden administration will fix the Veterans’ Benefits Administration (VBA) to improve training and accountability for claims workers to reduce the backlog, make the claims process electronic resulting in a dramatic improvement in service for us. This will help prevent us and our families from falling through the cracks and having to wait for years to access the benefits and care we have earned. A major challenge for us is the significant number of homeless veterans. An Obama-Biden administration will prevent veterans at risk and their families from falling into homelessness by addressing affordable housing and the associated services necessary to keep our veterans off the streets. An expansion in the number of Vet Centers will also go far to ensure that veterans have better access to the services we need and deserve. The Obama-Biden mental health plan, like the medical plan, will improve care for troops from recruitment and active duty to demobilization and transition back into civilian life. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, a debilitating and frightening disease often with tragic consequences. Yet today the planning and treatment for this very real threat is woefully inadequate. The Obama-Biden commitment to veterans will shoulder this sacred trust. Their plan will include better training to reduce the stigma often associated with mental health issues, pre and post-deployment screening and more mental health professionals both embedded with our troops in the field and at the VA. There will also be improved diagnostic techniques and funding for those veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury that has become far too common in the Iraq War. We believe that Barack Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, will lead America to peace through strength. In pursuing this mission Barack Obama knows that for those who stand up for our country in service, now is the time to stand up for them.
Tony Knowles, former Governor of Alaska, served with the 82nd Airborne Division and in Vietnam in 1964-65 with MACV-J2.
Rick Shoup, Ph.D. a healthcare consultant, served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1967-68 in Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol.
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