SwiftVets.com

[h3digital]

It is incredibly sobering to hear the reality and for people I know
too, to see their faces.

Last week when Kerry was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he had a breakfast
with soldiers reserve/guard/active duty who had been deployed. He,
by the way, asked questions and just listend. When he did speak, it
was soldier to soldier. Make no doubt about our future Commander
and Chief. What I saw in Green Bay as the kickoff to Memorial
Weekend, was a soldier(I am including sailors in that, as I am one
too). You could see the recognition and understanding on his face.
He was not a politician, but another combat veteran at that table
and many times during the Invitation Only Veterans Townhall Meeting
where I cried three times.

I had the oppurtunity to talk with a double amputee who served in
Iraq. I say oppurtunity because he was truely inspiring, but he is
only 22. He told me, that he was only beginning to realize the
effects of these budget cuts at the VA. As a soldier he didn't
think about the benefits he might need from the VA. He said John
Kerry opened his eyes to this.

I personally feel that this is one of the main issues for a veterans
to talk about. I have talked with some vets in my area, and those of
us who do not use the VA realize we are lucky, but this is where the
citizen soldier comes into play. We feel we have a duty to help
those who are least able or unaware of what is happening at the VA.
I admit, I too am late to the table and have had my eyes opened by
John Kerry also.

If you are reading this and you have not gone into a VA or clinic,
do so. See what it is like. See the faces of the physically and
mentally disabled and of of our aging vets. They in many cases,
broke their bodies for this country, so what do we do in return??

America, what do we do for our vets? Take your "I Support My
Troops" sign and shove it. We do not need platitudes, yea I am with
you, but I see no action there. Can we stay warm with that sign?
Does it buy us medication? Can we eat it? Wake up. Get active.
Let people know the dire situation many vets are in due to VA
budget.

Marc I am very sorry for your friend. I take his example and that
is what gives me the energy, if not desperation to elect John Kerry.

Tracey Sperko
Milwaukee WI
Coordinator Southeast Wisconsin Vets for Kerry
(GET INVOLVED)
_________________
Let the Truth be let out.

[nakona]

Actual Vets?

Are you trying to imply that, for instance, I am NOT?
_________________
13F20P

[The bandit]

So well scripted and aimed more at non-Vets then Vets themselves. Kerry has a history of fabricating connections/support with real Vets, example Al Hubbard and them highly decorated wintersoldier vets Kerry liked to refer to as "credible" when they were not - and he knew it. Yet he had no problem dancing with them as long as it was useful in sending whatever twisted message he had to reveal to the public.

Kerry just isn't believable when it comes to him and Vets.

[War Dog]

Gee, I have a 30% VA disablilty rating, with more to come for PTSD and Agent Orange (Type II Diabetes), Maletheon exposure, and Gulf War Syndrome. I go to the VA twice a year, and more when I need to. I get most of my medications from the VA. I spent over 20 years in the service!

According to you-know-who, does that mean that I'm a non-vet? That I don't care about what happens to Veterans. He acks like the Vietnam Veterans here know nothing at all about the Veterans Administration, what goes on there, what programs are available, the budget problems, etc...

Have we all been fooling ourselves this last thirty years or so?

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[The bandit]

I may be imagining things here, but seems like every Kerry scripted vet support story a "double amputee" for some reason always enters the storyline.

[rbshirley]

.
h3digital wrote:
==========================================
If you are reading this and you have not gone into a VA or clinic,
do so. See what it is like. See the faces of the physically and
mentally disabled and of of our aging vets. They in many cases,
broke their bodies for this country, so what do we do in return??
==========================================

I am getting VERY peeved at the red herring that Kerry and his campaign
have been touting recently concerning the present and future of Veterans
Affairs. As evidenced by the statistics presented by this excellent govenment
agency, veterans have been, and will continue to be, a high priority of the
current administration.

The 4.8 million veterans that received health care in VA facilities in 2003 was
at least TWICE that recorded during any year of the Clinton era.

And note that the Bush administration is seeking a $5.6 billion INCREASE in
the funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs rather than the decrease
being bantered about as misinformation by the Kerry campaign.

On a personal note, I recently entered the system and have been absolutely
impressed with the capabilities and professionalism of the VA health care
system. During the past few weeks I underwent significant surgeries and was
treated in a very timely manner by professionals who CARE for EVERY veteran
that wishes to enroll. This, even though I am in the lowest priority category.

So to answer your "loaded" question h3digital: "The veterans are being
treated with the respect and professional care they so richly deserve. Can we
TRUST Kerry to maintain this level of care? Based on his post-Vietnam rejection
of his own military service and those of us that {also} served honorably, I think
the issue is in doubt."

http://www.appc1.va.gov/opa/fact/vafacts.html

This second web page lists the current expansion activity for VA facilities
throughout the nation. Hardly a pull back of capabilities to serve veterans.

http://www.appc1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressarchinternet.cfm

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 2004

Facts about the Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs was established on March 15, 1989,
succeeding the Veterans Administration. It is responsible for providing
federal benefits to veterans and their families. Headed by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs, VA is the second largest of the 15 Cabinet departments
and operates nationwide programs for health care, financial assistance and
burial benefits.

Of the 26 million veterans currently alive, nearly three-quarters served
during a war or an official period of conflict.

The responsibility to care for veterans, spouses, survivors and dependents
can last a long time. The last dependent of a Revolutionary War veteran died
in 1911. Six children of Civil War veterans still draw VA benefits. About 440
children and widows of Spanish-American War veterans still receive Vetrans
Administration compensation or pensions.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

VA's fiscal year 2004 projected spending is $62.1 billion: $29.1 for health care,
$32.4 billion for benefits, and $143 million for the national cemetery system.
President Bush is seeking $67.7 billion in the fiscal year 2005 budget for VA,
a $5.6 billion increase in budget authority, primarily for health care and for
disability compensation.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Compensation and Pension

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by
injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. Veterans
with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled may be eligible for monetary
support through VA’s pension program. In fiscal year 2003, VA provided $26 billion
in disability compensation, death compensation and pension to 3.4 million people.
About 2.8 million veterans received disability compensation or pensions from VA.
Also receiving VA benefits were 568,146 spouses, children and parents of deceased
veterans. Among them are 147,291 survivors of Vietnam-era veterans and 272,883
survivors of World War II veterans.

Education and Training

Since the Vietnam-era, there have been approximately 2 million veterans, service
members, reservists and National Guardsmen who have participated in the Veterans’
Educational Assistance Program, established in 1977, and the Montgomery GI Bill,
established in 1985.

In 2003, VA helped pay for the education or training of 322,754 veterans and active
duty personnel, 88,342 reservists and National Guardsmen and 61,874 survivors.

Medical Care

Perhaps the most visible of all VA benefits and services is health care. From 54
hospitals in 1930, VA's health care system has grown to 158 hospitals, with at
least one in each of the 48 contiguous states, Puerto Rico and the District of
Columbia. VA operates 854 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics,
132 nursing homes, 42 residential rehabilitation treatment programs and 88
comprehensive home-care programs. VA health care facilities provide a broad
spectrum of medical, surgical and rehabilitative care.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

More than 4.8 million people received care in VA health care facilities in 2003.
By the end of fiscal year 2003, 78 percent of all disabled and low-income veterans
had enrolled with VA for health care; 65 percent of them were treated by VA. In 2003,
VA inpatient facilities treated 742,000 patients, including 92,516 in VA nursing homes
and 45,207 in residential care facilities. VA’s outpatient clinics registered nearly
49.8 million visits.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

To receive VA health care benefits most veterans must enroll. Nearly 7.2 million veterans
were enrolled in the VA health care system as of October 2003. When they enroll, they are
placed in priority groups or categories that help VA manage health care services within
capability constraints and ensure quality care for those enrolled.

Research

In 2003, funding for VA research was $392 million. Another $403 million from VA's medical
care account supports research efforts. Funding from non-VA sources, such as the National
Institutes of Health, other government agencies and pharmaceutical companies, contributed
another $656 million to VA research. VA currently conducts more than 10,000 research projects
at more than 100 VA medical centers.

Home Loan Assistance

In fiscal year 2003, VA guaranteed 508,436 loans valued at $65 billion. VA’s programs for
specially adapted housing helped about 550 disabled veterans with grants totaling more than
$22 million last year.

Insurance

In 2003, the VA life insurance programs returned $569 million in dividends to 1.5 million
veterans holding some of these VA life insurance policies, and paid an additional $2.42 billion
in death claims and other disbursements.

VA Employees

As of January 31, 2004, VA had 232,172 employees on the rolls. Among all departments and agencies
of the federal government, only the Department of Defense has a larger work force. Of the total
number of VA employees, 210,432 were in the Veterans Health Administration, 12,962 in the Veterans
Benefits Administration, 1,498 in the National Cemetery System, 3,193 in the Veterans Canteen Service
and 425 in the Revolving Supply Fund. The rest -- 3,662 employees -- are in various staff offices

VA is a leader in hiring veterans. About 52 percent of all male employees are veterans. As of
January 31, 2004, VA had 9,786 women employees who served in the U.S. armed forces. About 57
percent of male and 28 percent of female veteran employees served during the Vietnam War. More
than 7 percent of all VA employees are disabled veterans and four hold the Medal of Honor.
.
.

[xsquid]

I agree with you rbshirley. I have spent lots of time for a number of years in the va clinics and can guarantee you that our support has been much higher under bush than it had ever been under clinton.
_________________
11 years US navy.

[MikeWinn]

I just read this via a CBS article:

And as both presidential candidates vie for the veterans vote in 2004, right now President Bush holds a clear lead among those who have served. Veterans are also more likely than other voters to approve of how the president is handling both Iraq and the overall war on terror.

Vets for Kerry??? My big ole butt!!
_________________
LOCK & LOAD!


GunnerMike
Spectre Gunner and 141 FE
Dedicated to Rico. KIA March 14, 1971.
Love ya man.

[DELTREE]

And this is the COMMIE you are so proud of:J.Fonda Kerry
Read This:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38738

May GOD HELP us all!

[AZVet61]

First, the information you are disseminating is as misleading as the candidate you support. I use the VA Hayden Health Center in Phoenix, AZ on a regular basis. The VA has just completed a new administrative center and upgraded its computer system here. Although the number of veterans using the Phoenix facilities has increased 44% in the last year, service to vets has not deteriorated. The budgetary reductions you refer to are not cuts in the existing VA budget but represent a reduction in the proposed budget--something which always occurs in the budgetary process. Second, your description of the Green Bay, Wis. gathering with Kerry made me want to throw up. There is no way someone who relieved himself of service in Vietnam in the manner he did could talk with me "soldier to soldier". It disgusts me that there are people like you who are promoting the idea that John Kerry relates to veterans when he has spent most of his life either dishonoring them as he did when he painted those who served in Vietnam as war criminals or worked to deny active-duty personnel the needed resources to do what we expect them to do. Finally, the last time I tried to access the Swiftvets site, it had been hacked and linked to Kerry's campaign site. While you have every right to serve Senator Kerry as you are doing, please don't try to convince me that he relates to veterans--at least those who see him as I and thousands of veterans who served during the Vietnam War do. You can take your organization and stick it where the sun don't shine.

Brent Moody
Capt. US Army
1964-68

[waltjones]

This is for you, h3:

Well said, AZ! h3analog purports to be pro-veteran; he needs to read what's next to my name below. He's either got his head in the sand when it comes to what Kerry did to us, or he's so rabidly anti-Bush that he simply doesn't care. I would ask ALL vets to educate themselves about Kerry's past infamy and his more recent anti-military positions. It's not for nothing that the Heritage Foundation rated him the most liberal Senator in office - and h3 is going to convince us (or anybody) that Kerry supports vets? His record - from distant past to recent - indicates otherwise. Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor.

[Doc Jerry]

H3: you are obviously a fake, phony and fraud.

[Theresa Alwood]

As a female vet, and a spouse of a retired vet I realize one can not be a one issue voter. I am a moderate republican (not sure what that means other than the fact that I am pro-choice)...but there is no way I could honeslty vote for John Kerry. If it was up to John "F" Kerry we would not have nearly enough to keep our nation safe, let alone to protect our military...remember I voted for the 87 billion before I voted against it. John Kerry is a disgrace to those men he served with and a disgrace to even claim he is a vet. I may not be a Viet Nam vet - I can not even begin to understand the betrayal they must feel from this so-called Vet. John Kerry keeps running on the ticket that he is a vet, yet he is not getting the votes from the military. Most of the men and women who have served or who are serving know who they would rather serve under and that is President Bush. I respect and admire President Bush. I might not always agree with his decisions but he is a remarkable man who I would be honored to meet! I would vote for him 87 billion times over John Kerry any day. I am a vet! This vet will vote for George W. Bush!

[War Dog]

Theresa, welcome aboard. Give us the skinny on yourself, and your hubby! We're always interested in knowing a little about whom we're talking with.

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[George F. Thompson]

How could anyone in their right mind who is not brain dead or has recently been lobotomized support John " Fonda " Kerry for Commander-in-Chief. I don't know what kind of veteran you are, after checking your member profile, you list your occupation as disabled veteran of the US Army, MP core. To be perfectly frank, I seriously doubt you status of disabled veteran or even veteran for that matter. What do you mean by MP core? Are you trying to use that word in the context such as US Army Air Corps or US Marine Corps or was it simply a typo? You wouldn't by any chance be a wannabe, now would you? Or perhaps you thought you might add credence to your statements by posting them in the Vets Only forum. If this is the case, you are a despicable individual. I would be happy to send you copies of any of my DD 214's. You do know what a DD 214 is? I am an honorably discharged veteran who retired from the US Air Force. I also served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1970. I might add I'm also rated as 50% disabled, service connected. In your estimation, do I qualify as an actual vet? I'm just curious as to what critera you use to determine veteran status. Do you have to actually serve on active duty or does watching the movie " Saving priivate Ryan" count as a qualifying factor. I know most veterans who are aware of the treachery of John Kerry would never support him to be president. It bewilders me how anyone who claims to possess any cognitive ability can make a cogent argument in favor of John Kerry. To put it in simple terms. I think you're a lair.

George F. Thompson, Msgt, USAF, Ret.
Illuminator Operator, AC 130 Gunships,
16th. Special Operations Squadron