Should parents of US KIA's pay Federal income taxes?





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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Heartbreaking


 


 

I ran into my old battalion sergeant major the other day, and he asked me to come by and give him a price on putting some handrails on his front stoop.  He said his wife's health had gotten so bad that he was worried she would fall off while he was closing the door, and he needed somewhere to prop her when he takes her to doctor's appointments.

The Sergeant Major ranks pretty high on the list of Marines I know, and he's at the top of those I served with.  He retired right after we got back from Desert Storm, and went to work for the Sheriff's Department.  He has since retired from that service also.

About eight years ago, his wife had a heart transplant, and her health has been poor and getting poorer since.  Now she is suffering from dementia, and the Sergeant Major is worried he might find her walking down the road in her nightgown.  I watched my mom and dad be madly in love for nearly forty years, but what I saw today was the greatest testament to the power of love I have ever seen.  I watched as a tough man got very tender about the woman he has loved since they were both thirteen.  While very powerful, it was also heart breaking.

After haggling a little over price (the Sergeant Major wouldn't accept free), it came out that the co-pays of his wife's healthcare were breaking him.  And that is also heart breaking.
Our government promised our servicemen that they would be cared for for the rest of their lives, in exchange for twenty (or more) years of dedicated service.  And as any veteran will attest, you can't do twenty years without serious dedication.  Part of that dedication is the knowledge that your wife will be taken care of, should your dedication result in your demise.  Another big chunk of that dedication comes from the promise that, should you live long enough, your medical needs will be on us.  We are doing a piss poor job of supporting the men and women who have stood on the line for us.  I hope all the fans of universal healthcare will take note:  It's a hollow promise.

We don't promise you a rose garden, but we sure as hell should honor the promise we do make.

35 comments:

  1. WTF is wrong with this nation? We're upside down and I am getting f*cking sick and tired of it. ILLEGAL ALIENS get a FREE RIDE while THIS goes on! Absolute bullsh*t. DAMN them all.

    Obama raised the premium on Tricare Prime AGAIN but then this is the sonofabitch who said that wounded vets should pay for their own care!

    I pray God destroys the Obama Regime.

    Please pass on my heartfelt sorrow to the SgtMaj for me over this issue and well done for trying to do it for free!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gunny,

      I'm attempting to go around the Sergeant Major. Our old battalion commander is in the area; I've already been on the horn with him.

      The Sergeant Major is going to need a wheelchair ramp, but he let me know it wasn't in the budget right now. We have a strong organization of old Marines down here, I'll get him taken care of.

      Delete
    2. TGP,

      Another thing you might want to do is hit the local lumber yard and see if they want to donate the materials and y'all donate the time.

      Failing that, you might want to solicit donations in a fund.

      Wish I was there to help.

      Delete
  2. THAT is one of the good things about military folks in that we do have a habit of sticking together across the different services.
    An excellent network is your VFW or, Legion posts that are stacked with guys who not only volunteer their time with post duties but, are often willing to help out one of our own without batting an eye.

    I hope all goes well with your old SMAJ.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tenth,

    The Sergeant Major isn't alone and God Bless you for your efforts. You don't have to work very hard to find struggling folks and my heart goes out to the many people who are stepping up to the plate to build or repair houses, provide stop-gap financial assistance, and other support mechanisms for veterans.

    When the government promises "free" - it's a lot like all their other promises.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So how long do you have to serve in the military to get this support? How much "active duty" do you have to have? I have friends who served in Viet Nam in combat for 2 years who aren't eligible, but people like Common Sense, who served stateside, demand this support. Where do you draw the line. My dad was in combat in W.W. II, but he never demanded (or was eligible for) this extended support.

    I'm NOT saying they don't deserve support, I just want to know where YOU would draw the line. You can't support everybody*, as you and the posse constantly trumpet. Look at it this way, think how much more support would be available to vets if vets who didn't need help were not ransacking the system?

    * What about the guys who got draft exemptions because of the greater contribution to the war effort they made working at home (U.S.)? Or on a more personal level. what about the guy who risked his life for three years for this Country and could use a little help now raising a family?

    P.S. I have been constantly fighting for friends to get help who were damaged by the use of Agent Orange in Viet Nam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I help those who really need it. If you were in the service, then you'd KNOW it is, "One Team, One Fight," and that the folks on the homefront are on our side.

      That said, I refuse to help ANY liberals/democrats (unless they are old FDR dems and WW2/Korea vets) no matter what.

      Delete
  5. Jeff,

    It is my personal opinion that the US Government owes every honorably discharged veteran something. Those who served in combat should have every service we can provide to them. I also think the Combat Action Ribbon or the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and whatever the Air Force passes out, should get the vet an exemption from federal income tax. And, in a weird twist, I believe Cindy Sheehan, and all the other mothers and fathers who gave a child in the defense of freedom, should be tax exempt. A child is more than enough to give to your country.

    I don't think those who got draft exemptions because they were oilmen (my grandfather, for one) should be treated the same as a guy who faced death and dismemberment. A draft exemption may be acceptable for some things, but volunteers don't get exemptions. No one got a draft exemption without asking, and no one was forced to accept an exemption.

    I think the United States of America can support all of her veterans. If the government would quit fucking with shit that isn't their concern, there'd be plenty of money for our vets.

    As for the guy who served three years and needs a little help, he qualifies three-fold. He is a combat vet, he is service connected disabled, and he is honorably discharged. And he is 100% covered medically by the VA. But the VA is socialized medicine, much like Obamacare, and is not very efficient. But it is what it is.

    On your P.S., thank you. It is important that those men, who were treated so poorly by Mud and his ilk, get the treatment and the recognition they deserve. I have an old family friend who buried two husbands from Agent Orange related cancers. It is a sore subject still.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I remember many years ago when they cut my father's VA disability benefits---it was wrong then and wrong today. Often when the guys come home, they are honored for a while and then forgotten by those leaders who sent them off to war in the first place--it quite sad.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tenth,
    Kudos Brother for your efforts. I'm certain your SgtMajor appreciates your sentiments. That above all means a lot.

    Jeff/Alphabet,
    You are a douche if anyone needs to explain it. Veterans wrote a blank check to this country payable with their lives. The least our government can do is take care of our veterans.

    Understand now?

    ReplyDelete
  8. "I have friends who served in Viet Nam in combat for 2 years who aren't eligible, but people like Common Sense, who served stateside, demand this support."

    First off, your friends weren't retirees, they were draftees correct?
    As vets, they were eligable for some health, educational, loan and, other benefits for serving.
    Common Snse is a retiree which means that he spent 20+ years serving wherever the corps decided to send him.
    We don't have a choice of duty stations because "the needs of the" army, corps, navy, etc dictate our destinations.

    I agree with TJ that the parents of KIA's should recieve a tax exempt status since they've paid more than mere money in the defense and support of the nation.

    "You can't support everybody*, as you and the posse constantly trumpet. Look at it this way, think how much more support would be available to vets if vets who didn't need help were not ransacking the system?"

    THAT is a joke right?
    A liberal who has no qualms in supporting generations of welfare slugs and providing free housing, clothing, food, utilities, spending money, etc for contributing NOTHING to society while from the other side of your mouth acting that you're concerned about funding for those who HAVE given something back to our country?

    What vets are "ransacking the system"???

    WIA's?
    Retirees?
    Who?
    You're completely clueless as to what the life of a soldier entails aren't you?
    No other job delivers such a physical pounding on a daily basis as the military which is why a person can retire from it after 20 years of service.

    See the difference? People who gave something to the country have earned a little payback for the effort...
    As opposed to doing nothing while demanding some imagined "right" to a free ride on the backs of everyone else.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life*."

    But the legal definition of veteran is all over the place. Many post service opportunities apply to only those veterans who were injured in the line of duty. And it doe NOT take into account whether you were drafted or enlisted.

    TGP, you were in the military and chose not to continue. Does that make you a bad person? I chose not to continue because even though I was an officer, I was continually frustrated by some of the other officers who were total boneheads. I mean, how in the hell is it that these guys not only were still in the service, but they were in charge of other men? In the private sector I suspect many "career" persons would be chronically unemployed.

    I'm always reading on blogs about how people have changed from attitudes in the past. I'm older than most of you and maybe I'm comparing today to how the returning veterans from W.W.II, Korea and Viet Nam acted.

    Or maybe the real problem is perception. There are so many slightly different veteran programs, administered differently with different eligibility requirements that nobody really knows what's going on. You mention quite frequently "states' rights". Are you aware that many of the differences of veterans' programs originate from the differences in state law?

    If you sit back and think about it, we may be arguing for the same thing, just not communicating.

    * I have a family member who was killed in combat. Believe me or not, it doesn't bring him back or fix all the hurt caused by his death. His family did receive Veteran Benefits that included a living allowance for the children and college costs.

    ReplyDelete
  10. -Sepp,

    Thank you - you are correct, my DD-214 says that I served for 22 years, 2 months, and 17 days before retiring. Like anyone with that much time in - the preponderance of my service was in posts and stations in the United States however I accumulated several years of deployed time overseas - probably more than a quarter of the whole.

    Alphabat,

    If you have friends who are effected by Agent Orange, please tell them to ignore you and trot themselves down to the local VA office. Here is the link to find the nearest location:

    http://www.va.gov/landing2_locations.htm

    They will need their DD-214 or other proof of service. Trained counselors will help them through the process. The Nation does honor veterans and particularly those who served honorably in our wars. Here is a link to such benefits:

    http://www.va.gov/landing2_vetsrv.htm

    If your friends were combat veterans and can produce documentation they can join the VFW or the American Legion which are other avenues of getting assistance. Sometimes hanging around with guys who have a common experience is helpful.

    There are any number of other charitable organizations that are ready, willing, and able to provide help. They range from small outfits that help with a heating bill or groceries all the way up to the big ones.

    Now if your friends didn't serve honorably - that's an entirely different story.

    If they really have a hard time - but have a valid claim - I recommend they contact their Congressman. Under some circumstances a Congressman's letter can kick-start a stalled process or get their package a second look.

    The tenor and quality of your frantic tirades don't add to polite discourse and no doubt diminishes the quality of our communication.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to get Jesse Helms to help me when I first entered the VA system. But one letter from him opened many doors. I hope the bureaucracy is less antagonizing now.

      Delete
  11. NP CS!
    I know how the alpha-bat hates the idea that after a mere 20 years of waking up early, doing PT, being moved around every 2 or, 3 years and putting in a regular 12+ hour days working and, following a training schedule that keeps you in the field and filthy for weeks on end and...gasp... being able to "retire early" is so unfair.

    "The tenor and quality of your frantic tirades don't add to polite discourse and no doubt diminishes the quality of our communication."

    Indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you -Sepp,

      Please notice the Troll didn't even say thank you for the assist.

      Delete
  12. Bottom line: I guess veterans from previous generations didn't feel owed the entitlements the current veterans do. They served their Country, then returned to private life to work and save another 40 years before retiring.

    (I know keeping enlistment numbers up during unpopular wars is hard and the quality seems to be suffering. Maybe the draft should be reinstated.)

    And 'ole Sepp, you've shown once again your ignorance of the military. We remember the stunt you pulled on Mud_Rakers blog and the following exposure of your lies about your military service. I still suspect you're some junior high kid just trying to still up crap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holy shit, Jeff. Are you still on that? Sepp, through his language here and elsewhere, shows every sign of having served. You, on the other hand, show none. Get a grip, whack job.

      Delete
  13. Jeff,

    The vets from the Revolution were promised a chunk of land and a pension. Most got nothing. We have always broken the promises made to the men who risk their lives for freedom.

    The vets coming home from WWII took advantage of the GI Bill to build houses, causing the invention of the modern subdivision, and the suburbs. To say those vets didn't feel owed is stupid, and I am getting pretty tired of you posting stupid comments.

    And most of the counselors at the VA are vets, alot of them Vietnam vets, who are making sure today's vets don't get fucked. Call your local DAV; they'll tell you they can get your benefits increased, and they'll tell you you earned them.

    Whoops. I used that word "earn". I know you have a hard time understanding that one.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "I guess veterans from previous generations didn't feel owed the entitlements the current veterans do. They served their Country, then returned to private life to work and save another 40 years before retiring."

    Let's see, there were the 17,000 WW1 vets protesting for their bonuses.

    There were millions of WW2 vets who used the GI bill for their educations and, the veteran loans to build what became the suburbs between 1950 - 70.
    The same with the Korean war vets, Vietnam vets, Gulf war vets, etc.
    Vets from EVERY period utilized whatever benefit was offered to them if the chose to.

    IE, your statement is just plain ignorant.

    "We remember the stunt you pulled on Mud_Rakers blog and the following exposure of your lies about your military service."

    Still trying to roll on that one eh? The only thing that was "exposed" was the fact that your moonbat buddy actually IS a mental case with some very creepy fanboy traits.
    I offered to settle any question you have in person but, having balls on the internet is a huge leap from actually having them isn't it?

    "I still suspect you're some junior high kid just trying to still up crap."
    Hahahahaha!
    No you don't or, else you would have put up or shut up a long time ago.

    Wanna know something funny alpha-bitch?

    Out of all the people I post with, only those with the biggest mouths have ever declined /ran from an offer to meet up for a beer.

    Why is that? Because your big mouths can only compensate for your lack of balls, convictions and values from a long distance.

    You'd just as soon shit your pants than to open your ballwasher in person and call TJ a welfare cheat, shit on my military record or, tell CS that his service doesent merit his earned benefits or, talk some trash about someone's kids.
    I'll bet you're the most polite cocksucker on the planet until you get home and lock the door behind you.

    Thats the difference. Anything I've said online I'll say in person too.
    If you can't, thats just the caliber of person you are.
    A spitball.

    And since TJ mentioned that "earn" word that confuses you clowns, when are you moonbats ever going to answer the question I asked about responsibility?
    You two have avoided that question like the plague haven't you?

    ReplyDelete
  15. TGP- I'll say a prayer for your Sgt. Major. And good job with the work. Maybe there's something you can sneak in there for free.

    ReplyDelete
  16. "...after a mere 20 years of waking up early, doing PT..."
    Yep that sounds like someone who knows what he's talking about. Read back through Mud_Raker's blog if you're really interested to see if he's lying*.

    And step back and reread CS's comments about universial health care; it's good enough for him but f*** everybody else. And if you're really a former Marine, how come you've never noticed the "holes" in his story?

    And what you're talking about is the military getting better benefits than the private sector, the sector that pays the bill. That's called a "junta" type of government, easily found in other parts to the world, but not something we strive for here in America.

    And many, many men have served this Country, some giving their lives, but none whine like the bunch here. I can't imagine my brothers, cousins, father or grandfathers complaining like the lot here. How come they made it in life without the help of the government? Help that most here complain about being available.

    *(Unless you're a total idiot, you know Sepp lies constantly so for you to defend him says volumes about you.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I met CS around 32 years ago. If my memory serves, he was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He was dating my mother's sister. A few years later, I had the uncomfortable experience of him dragging me in from being UA. How come I never saw the "holes" in his story? Maybe because I saw a lot of his story firsthand.

      You are a giant pile of shit, and extremely predictable. Every time you exhibit a tiny bit of almost normalism, you come up with some far out batshit crazy crap, making us all say "Shut up, Jeff. Nobody likes you."

      Delete
    2. Tenth,

      That's close enough - by the way, it wasn't a completely undesirable task trolling bars in Jacksonville looking for you - but don't tell Mrs. CS.

      Delete
  17. Alphabat,

    You are suffering from a severe psychosis - everyone is lying but you right?

    If someone disagrees with you - they are lying right?

    You need some serious time with a shrink.

    You didn't even say Thank you" for my help for your "friends" punk. Were you lying?

    ReplyDelete
  18. You're a hoot alpha-bitch!

    "And what you're talking about is the military getting better benefits than the private sector, the sector that pays the bill."

    Bwahahahaha!
    Oh yeah! Going on sick call and waiting around for 2 hours to see a medic, given some OTC crap and an RTD slip...
    or,
    being sent to the dispensary to see an actual doctor and, waiting 2 more hours for the same OTC crap, an RTD slip or, quarters if you're lucky...wonderfull system!

    BTW, when did YOU start caring about private sector businesses?

    "That's called a "junta" type of government, easily found in other parts to the world, but not something we strive for here in America."

    Bwahahahaha! you're right, "WE" don't strive for that here but, "YOU" sent that shitbag in the whitehouse who DOES support that ideal YOUR money!

    "And many, many men have served this Country, some giving their lives, but none whine like the bunch here."

    You're right, the dead don't complain much do they?

    "I can't imagine my brothers, cousins, father or grandfathers complaining like the lot here."

    Do those folks ever listen to a word you say? Doubt it.

    " How come they made it in life without the help of the government?"

    Maybe YOU should ask them since you're the moron advocating a cradle to grave free ride through life.

    But, I'll save them the facepalm they probably do whenever they see you comming and tell you what their secret is...ready?

    RESPONSIBILITY!

    As for your trash talk about folk's service time, it takes a real toughguy to run his ballwasher online about a topic he has to ask his ol lady about.
    As a favor to you, I'm having a cat neutered this week and can ask the vet to save the balls for you although they're a bit heavier than you're used to.
    They're from a yellowish-orange cat so, the fur ought to match that streak up your back nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sorry guys, but you make a strong point that the price of a mercenary military is too high, less effective, and much more dangerous (killings of innocent civilians including family members), compared to a military made up of patriots.

    As far as lying, you all know how to review past posts on Mud_Raker's blog, so do it before you continue to defend a chronic impostor. And you all have read CS's feeling on universal health care, even though he has it himself. And I don't know a SINGLE veteran who can't spot a phony (even an enlisted passing himself off as an officer), so TGP, you're either real slow or are so desperate you'll let anything slide, even the disrespect of the military you profess your love for so much even after 20 years.

    And I've noticed lately some of you have been "revising" certain things I have written about myself. Well, you're getting it wrong so just leave the revising history to your resident revisionist history expert.

    By the way, there are many career military in my life and they all seem to own houses, send their kids to the same school, and work reasonable hours. How come the guys Sepp knows are in basic for over 20 years, spend time in combat, even when our Country isn't, and move constantly? I'm beginning to suspect he isn't talking about the United States military. Excuse me while I go "talk some trash about someone's kids."

    Trying to talk reason to you people is like trying to teach a cockroach to dance. I'm going to skip this group for a while and concentrate on the damn cockroach. I suspect I'll get better results.

    ReplyDelete
  20. "P.S. I have been constantly fighting for friends to get help who were damaged by the use of Agent Orange in Viet Nam."

    Please excuse my use of the wrong verb tense. I should have written "had been" because many of those early cases were settled. The original settlement was 1984, which closed in 1997. In 2003 the settlement was reopened and the U.S. Supreme Court ("libnuts") extended it indefinitely in early in 2012.

    I don't apologize to blowhards, who don't give a shit, who give wrong and outdated information. Or an egotist who insinuates something about men just to be boorish ("Now if your friends didn't serve honorably - that's an entirely different story.")

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alphabat . . . . you mean you LIED!?!

      What a surprise. Go away - give your friends the information that I provided above. Come back with a report of how they fared.

      You're a joke.

      Delete
    2. How do you settle a case of chronic health problems? You aren't trying to imply that you got your friends cured, are you? You are so full of shit, Jeff.

      Delete
  21. Alphabat,

    We didn't bring up any of this and we didn't whine about it. You brought it up as a personal attack on we veterans. You don't understand the difference between Tri-Care and Socialized Medicine. You don't understand how the program works, the benefit structure, or much of anything else. Hell - I haven't run across anything yet that you understand.

    You have used lies, hyperbole, and misinformation for your attacks. You are an absurdly pathetic creature.

    We didn't create the "mercenary military" you liberal buffoons did by revolting against the draft. You don't even understand your own history. You remember joining the Navy to avoid the draft don't you? Or was that a lie too?

    What a moron.

    If you are looking for truth at Mud_PILE's site - you are the ultimate lunatic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He wonders why veterans get "universal" healthcare, but not everyone. What a turd. If a citizen does something for society, they earn a reward from the rest of society. Jeff and his ilk want to reward the drains, and punish the providers. And he claims to be a veteran? What a complete crock of shit.

      Delete
  22. "Trying to talk reason to you people is like trying to teach a cockroach to dance. I'm going to skip this group for a while and concentrate on the damn cockroach."

    TRANSLATION: He can no longer get away with bashing the messenger to avoid the message.

    "We didn't create the "mercenary military" you liberal buffoons did by revolting against the draft."
    BINGO!
    The draft was ended in favor of free choice...and they still do nothing but bitch.

    Never mind the fact that over the last 10 years it's been the democrats who tried twice to reinstate the draft!

    My 1SG told me that when the draft went away, so did the majority of the shitbags within the ranks.
    Mercenary military indeed! The ONLY people I've ever heard call our servicemembers "mercenaries" were liberals and, Islamic terror groups...go figure.

    TJ, I remember alphabat jefio saying something about being a commissioned naval officer as well as his wife serving in the storm.

    Notice how once again the responsibility issue was sidestepped as if the word never even registered?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sepp,

      The guy is obviously writing all this shit from the day room at the nervous hospital.

      Delete
  23. Dear Alphabat,
    You are a fucking idiot...just saying.
    Sincerely,
    the proud wife of a 24yr ARMY vet

    ReplyDelete