This scandal brings back memories of Hurricane Katrina. I think Katrina was an eye opener for many Americans. It was for me. My dislike for this administration turned to pure hatred at that point. Who can ever forget the images of people on roofs, waiting day after day after day for rescue. Who can forget the images of people in the Convention Center or the Superdome. Who can ever forget the people who tried to cross a bridge to safety only to be greeted with shootguns and told they couldn’t cross. Who will ever forget Brownie stating he had no idea there were people at the Convention Center, when the whole world knew. Who will ever forget Bush telling him, “You’re doing a heckuva job Brownie!” Yes…..this was a major eye opener for many of us. It was at that point that I realized that they really don’t care ANYTHING about us. I realized just how very little they care for the underprivledged, the most needy of us.

And now, we have Walter Reed. Another instance of this administration’s total disregard for people in need. Worse yet, soldiers in need. The conditions at Walter Reed are nothing new. This is the “premiere” facility, so you can imagine the conditions at VA hospitals around the country. Many of the hospitals that are out of the limelight have been in deplorable conditions for years. This is the tip of the iceberg. And it’s nothing new. Veterans have been fighting tooth and nail to get benefits and services that are rightfully theirs for a long time. The Iraq and Afghanistan veterans aren’t the first to go through this. The problem transcends political party. It’s been around through Democratic leadership and Republican leadership. The veteran’s struggle is nothing new. It’s why there are so many homeless veterans.

Yesterday on national television, General Kiley stated he had no idea of the problems until he read it in the Washington Post. Yet he still has a job. There continue to be no consequences for the worst of the worst. They are all still in place. And will continue to be in place. Their incompetence is rewarded. So they sit in front of a committee and answer questions. They don’t care. Because for the “chosen”……..there are no consequences.

And I might add, I find it hard to believe that the politicians on that committee were unaware of the problems facing our veterans. Previous government reports that they were privy to told them there were problems. So for them to sit on that panel and act like they had not a shred of evidence that there are problems with our system is a disgrace.

This didn’t happen overnight. Just like they knew the levees in New Orleans were at risk, they knew of the struggles our soldiers have faced for decades. And just like Katrina, Americans will be disgusted and then move on to the next scandal. And the soldiers struggles, just like the struggles of the victims of Hurricane Katrina…… will be forgotten. The problem won’t go away…..but the concern will. Don’t let that happen.

Wounded Warrior Project

Veteran’s Organizations

VA Voluntary Services

VA Heartland Network

VA Facilities Locator

Soldier’s Angels

VetHomes Foundation

Veteran’s Help Network

Please feel free to leave any helpful links in comments!!!