Why isn't the fight over when I return home and why do I have to fight my Government for the pay and benefits I was promised?

LCpl Timothy McCain — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:29:20 -0400

It's easy for civilians and politicians to say thank you for your service. But when it comes to doing what is right they find excuses not to do right by our veterans. For example:. Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act (2014)
After clearing a procedural vote by a 99-0 margin, the bill was hijacked by Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans who attached an amendment to the bill which would have levied sanctions on Iran.
Republicans took to the floor to raise concerns over the cost of the bill, and it was ultimately defeated with 41 of 45 Senate Republicans voting against the bill.
Some may say well they don't listen to us veterans. And you are right to a degree. When our voices are separate they can do what they want. But when we come together with purpose they can't ignore us.
When the call went out we answered without hesitation or trepidation. It's time to stand up and be counted once more. We need to speak with a unified voice and demand our government do what they promised.
Did you know that over 70,000 Veterans have signed up for the VA burn pit registry. And not one are allowed to receive VA disability compensation, but they are allowed to receive full medical care? Did you know that thousands have died do to respiratory complications and lung cancer in their twenties, thirties, and forties all from exposure to the open burn pits? And the department of the Army is still refusing to recognize the open burn pit as the cause and that is the reason why these veterans can not receive disability compensation.
Did you know that a veteran can go ten to fifteen years with a undiagnosed mental disorder that causes him or her to be able to hold on a job? Many of these veterans fall into drug use and homelessness. Because of the financial ruin that they suffer. And it is diagnosed and found to be service related it can take up to 5 years to be properly compensated. And after going through all that they have to fight to maintain their compensation. Many will say that VFW, DAV, and American Legion are fighting for us on legislation. Oddly enough they don't get involved unless invited by the House or Senate. Their role is to help you access the benefits.
That's why I have been trying to get join together on the "Americas new Heroes COLA Act of 2015" (H.R. 677) and push three amendments. 1. Give veterans a 25% pay increase not related to the cost of living. 2. To allow the VA to make Quality Of Life payments to veterans with a service connected disability rating of 60% or more by using the secondary disability scale making payment proportional to the veteran's disability rating. 3. Allowing the VA to pay maximum pension payments to veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 100% or permanent and totally disabled. Everyone needs to call, write and E-mail their Senators and the Senators on the Veterans Administration oversight committee to show their support for the passage of the bill and to request passage of the amendments. If you want to share this with anyone please do. If you want to cut and paste this message please do so. If you want to share this as a link please copy and paste the URL in the navigation bar. If you are agreeing to help with calling, E-mailing and writing you senators and including the oversight committee members about H.R 677 and the three amendments let me know. If you have any questions or concerns about what you read please let me know your thoughts matter.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Apr 15 at 2016 2:33 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:33:00 -0400

Because when you get home the freaking bean counters take over, and there is no glory for them to actually do what was promised.

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 15 at 2016 2:38 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:38:27 -0400

DAV is on this brother - here is a link with more information and all those that need to be contacted.
I attached a link to the bill.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/677/text
https://www.dav.org/fully-developed-appeals/

Text - H.R.677 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): American Heroes COLA Act of 2015

Text for H.R.677 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): American Heroes COLA Act of 2015

Response by Alan K. made Apr 15 at 2016 2:52 PM

Alan K. — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:52:17 -0400

Because they spent your money on other things that they deemed more important....There is NOBODY or NOTHING more important than a disabled Veteran and the assistance he or she needs to become right again. whatever it takes. They offered to lay down their life for this Country, there is nothing this Country should NOT do to make them right.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Apr 15 at 2016 3:15 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 15:15:39 -0400

Choose your party wisely and get out and vote,not only for Presidential race but for the majority in the House and Senate.This is the only way were going to make a difference.I hated burning crap,it's hot already,u r sweating,and then smoke consumes you.You know if the officers had to stir crap I bet they would find a better more sanitary way of doing it.No pun intended.

Response by PO1 Gene Barfield made Apr 15 at 2016 4:38 PM

PO1 Gene Barfield — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 16:38:24 -0400

I agree with your very well stated position, Tim. And I'm using what you wrote to cut-and-paste in emails I'm sending right now to my Congressional delegation. Thank you for your work on this.

Response by Sean Mcguire made Apr 16 at 2016 10:22 PM

Sean Mcguire — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 22:22:32 -0400

We need to do all we can for our vets as they made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. The least this country could do is take care of them.

Response by Stefan Martin made Apr 17 at 2016 12:06 AM

Stefan Martin — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 00:06:20 -0400

Enough with the politics- Tell the whole story- Our President and the Democrat party have no concern for Vets- To imply the republicans somehow don't care is Bullshit and the facts are that the President had control of both houses and did shit for vets-.

Response by LCpl Timothy McCain made Apr 18 at 2016 12:25 PM

LCpl Timothy McCain — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:25:29 -0400

I've made my phone call to chairman of the veterans oversight committee what about you

Response by PO3 Lyta V made Apr 19 at 2016 9:23 AM

PO3 Lyta V — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:23:06 -0400

Because Republicans are the majority and we only matter when we are active duty (boots on the ground) not when we come home battered and beaten up by the service and conflicts we're thrown into.

Response by PO2 Tamera Pantejo made Apr 20 at 2016 2:17 AM

PO2 Tamera Pantejo — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 02:17:08 -0400

I will contact mine in the morning

Response by SSG Don Maggart made May 2 at 2016 11:42 PM

SSG Don Maggart — Mon, 02 May 2016 23:42:13 -0400

Ever hear of the Bonus Marches those go Back to the Revolutionary War it is Simple Really yet Bittersweet a Politician has never needed a Soldier unless the Wolf was at the door @ LCpl Timothy Mcain