DAV Magazine — September/October 2016
LETTERS
Preventing veteran suicide
I appreciate the value of a study by the VA about suicides. Suicides are caused 90 percent of the time by depression. We should also look at ways of reducing the depression that veterans feel. While there are some initiatives that will be costly, they may also be highly effective, such as providing jobs for veterans, even if it means retaining them on active duty for a two-year extension to cross-train into a more marketable skill. John Gavel, Melbourne, Fla.
Don’t forget us
What will it take to change the rules so we can have some kind of a COLA increase yearly? As a wounded Vietnam veteran, I wonder if anyone cares about us anymore? Give us something for risking our lives for this country. Tony Annunziata, Charlotte, N.C.
Commissary privileges
I believe if a veteran became disabled while in the military, they should be entitled to the privileges of commissary and post exchange. I received a 20-percent disability from a wound in Vietnam. Over the years, my injury became worse. Finally, I was granted 100 percent. That is when I began to receive the commissary privileges. Every veteran who lives with the pain of a service-connected injury is more than deserving. H.R. 1292 should be passed for all who gave for the freedom of this country. Richard L. Cross, New Castle, Ind.
Veterans belong at VA
I read a comment in the magazine (Letters, May/June issue) where a veteran said he uses Medicare and TRICARE for Life, and that’s adequate enough to take care of his needs. He said he does not take up space at the VA and that it should be reserved for veterans without Medicare/TRICARE access. I don’t agree with him. As an Army retiree, when we call an Army base hospital or clinic, they point us to the VA. That’s good if the author feels that he should not burden the VA with his disability, but he does not speak for all retired Army veterans. Gary J. Cross, U.S. Army (Ret.)
VHA is improving, VBA needs help
I am a Vietnam veteran who served in-country in 1964 as a medic. I am also a Life Member of DAV with a 40-percent disability due to Agent Orange-related cancer. I also believe that the VA health care system is the best in the world. On the other hand, I believe Veterans Benefits Administration needs to change. They hire civilians with no military experience at all, and leadership listens to their opinions rather than the actual veterans. Michael Grady, Windsor Locks, Conn.
I would strongly emphasize that VA health care is much better than many perceive. Once a veteran is qualified and in the system, there typically is no complex paperwork or hassles with outside parties. Many of the proposals would bring back these paperwork nightmares, and veterans would have to deal with a mountain of paperwork to get payments covered. Roger Wells, St. Louis, Mo.
Thank you, DAV
A friend told me to see DAV in Westminster, S.C. It was one of the greatest things I ever did. Not only are they well-informed, professional and personable, they got me all that I was legally entitled to. I tell everyone I see who is going through what I had to go through to see DAV. They will get them the help they need. Lauretta B. Aiken, Westminster, S.C.
DAV on social media
facebook.com/DAV
PTSD is a complex thing, and every person that has it, has it differently. Yes, some meds can help, yes some counseling can help; but it is up to us vets to find more ways to help ourselves. Gretchen Rieck
A friend of mine introduced me to DAV a long time ago. They remain one of the better organizations for our disabled veterans with more of your donation getting to the vets. Darrell Wilson
Adaptive sports helps us to find ways to live again when we wonder what’s left. I truly believe that it saves lives. Amy Dotson
We are losing things we feel we earned at an alarming rate. This [veterans preference for federal jobs] is just one more thing politicians want to take away. We need to stick together. Daniel Young
@DAVHQ on twitter.com
@VeteransHealth @DAVHQ Some days it [PTSD] kicks me down, and other days are better. Hard to find time [for counseling] now that I’m working full time!” @BlueDogPatriot
WRITE TO US We welcome letters from our readers. Please mail them to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or submit them via email to feedback@dav.org. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. Letters used are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Messages involving individual claims are referred to the DAV Service Department.
I appreciate the value of a study by the VA about suicides. Suicides are caused 90 percent of the time by depression. We should also look at ways of reducing the depression that veterans feel. While there are some initiatives that will be costly, they may also be highly effective, such as providing jobs for veterans, even if it means retaining them on active duty for a two-year extension to cross-train into a more marketable skill. John Gavel, Melbourne, Fla.
Don’t forget us
What will it take to change the rules so we can have some kind of a COLA increase yearly? As a wounded Vietnam veteran, I wonder if anyone cares about us anymore? Give us something for risking our lives for this country. Tony Annunziata, Charlotte, N.C.
Commissary privileges
I believe if a veteran became disabled while in the military, they should be entitled to the privileges of commissary and post exchange. I received a 20-percent disability from a wound in Vietnam. Over the years, my injury became worse. Finally, I was granted 100 percent. That is when I began to receive the commissary privileges. Every veteran who lives with the pain of a service-connected injury is more than deserving. H.R. 1292 should be passed for all who gave for the freedom of this country. Richard L. Cross, New Castle, Ind.
Veterans belong at VA
I read a comment in the magazine (Letters, May/June issue) where a veteran said he uses Medicare and TRICARE for Life, and that’s adequate enough to take care of his needs. He said he does not take up space at the VA and that it should be reserved for veterans without Medicare/TRICARE access. I don’t agree with him. As an Army retiree, when we call an Army base hospital or clinic, they point us to the VA. That’s good if the author feels that he should not burden the VA with his disability, but he does not speak for all retired Army veterans. Gary J. Cross, U.S. Army (Ret.)
VHA is improving, VBA needs help
I am a Vietnam veteran who served in-country in 1964 as a medic. I am also a Life Member of DAV with a 40-percent disability due to Agent Orange-related cancer. I also believe that the VA health care system is the best in the world. On the other hand, I believe Veterans Benefits Administration needs to change. They hire civilians with no military experience at all, and leadership listens to their opinions rather than the actual veterans. Michael Grady, Windsor Locks, Conn.
I would strongly emphasize that VA health care is much better than many perceive. Once a veteran is qualified and in the system, there typically is no complex paperwork or hassles with outside parties. Many of the proposals would bring back these paperwork nightmares, and veterans would have to deal with a mountain of paperwork to get payments covered. Roger Wells, St. Louis, Mo.
Thank you, DAV
A friend told me to see DAV in Westminster, S.C. It was one of the greatest things I ever did. Not only are they well-informed, professional and personable, they got me all that I was legally entitled to. I tell everyone I see who is going through what I had to go through to see DAV. They will get them the help they need. Lauretta B. Aiken, Westminster, S.C.
DAV on social media
facebook.com/DAV
PTSD is a complex thing, and every person that has it, has it differently. Yes, some meds can help, yes some counseling can help; but it is up to us vets to find more ways to help ourselves. Gretchen Rieck
A friend of mine introduced me to DAV a long time ago. They remain one of the better organizations for our disabled veterans with more of your donation getting to the vets. Darrell Wilson
Adaptive sports helps us to find ways to live again when we wonder what’s left. I truly believe that it saves lives. Amy Dotson
We are losing things we feel we earned at an alarming rate. This [veterans preference for federal jobs] is just one more thing politicians want to take away. We need to stick together. Daniel Young
@DAVHQ on twitter.com
@VeteransHealth @DAVHQ Some days it [PTSD] kicks me down, and other days are better. Hard to find time [for counseling] now that I’m working full time!” @BlueDogPatriot
WRITE TO US We welcome letters from our readers. Please mail them to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or submit them via email to feedback@dav.org. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. Letters used are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Messages involving individual claims are referred to the DAV Service Department.
Message