Thoughts about the VFW or at least an associated endowment fund sending nine willing purple heart Vietnam vets back next year?

Ditto,my friend.

Without people like you I am not sure where I would be. Two years ago diagnosed with severe emphysema. Civilian doctors and medicine were eating into my retirement even with medicare and supplemental policy. Friend suggested VA. After 45 years I had never used any service but off I went. Very pleasant surprise. Sign up in 10 minutes, have had had good doctors, etc. Now the rub. First two visits my wife went with me and all is well. Third visit and the flood gates from hell opened. Going down the main lobby and it is lined with chairs if you wish to sit away from the medical areas. That day must have been 30 or 40 Vietnam vets in all stages of health. Sir, I lost it. Forty five years of buried memories came screaming from somewhere. I sat and cried like a baby for 30 minutes. Been seeing people like you ever sense. Not for sure I will ever be the same again but I am a whole lot better due to people like you. Thank you.

I was hospitalized for my lungs being infected with “ Undetermined Organisms “ in my blood and lungs, and it’s documented in my military medical records, but those records were withheld all my life after Vietnam. After 44 years and dozens of SF180s and FOIAs, I finally got service connected, but nothing involving respiratory issues. I was medivac’d out due to a skin disease of undetermined cause. I had a stroke just before turning 20 in the Army, so ALL MEDICAL RECORDS WERE INTENTIONALLY WITHHELD. Boots on Ground DID NOT MATTER.