WWII Warriors - America Without Them?
“I mean what I say”?
Our leaders have waxed eloquent in the past and probably will again as they describe the dedication, patriotism, impact on liberty, relative to the victory over Japan and Germany, reflecting what our WWII warriors accomplished in commemorating D-Day, 1944.
Sadly, the dichotomy of words and reality is stark….remember President Bush’s words in a pre-inaugural address on 19 January, 2001 when he said “In order to make sure that morale is high with those who wear the uniform today, we must keep our commitment to those who wore the uniform in the past…”. We will make sure promises made to our veterans will be promises kept.” and in a news conference April 13, 2004, he stated “I mean what I say”?
Given that earned medical care benefits due WWII military retirees have been denied; other warrior, family, and widow compensation is recognized somewhere behind benefits for “illegal aliens; one can only conclude political statements we hear from the President and members of Congress is little more than hot air. Even the courts have recognized the medical care obligation America has to it’s WWII troops.
It is absolutely mind boggling that the leadership of America can, with a straight face, use the magnificent success of our WWII victories, and our military force success in general, to score political points or advance some political agenda, while willingly ignoring or worse, denying earned compensation and benefits to the service members that secured the liberty we enjoy.
To make matters worse, elements in Department of Defense routinely attack earned benefits as a “drain on national security”, create crafty diversions to delay or deny veteran compensation, attach “pork” to essential legislation as personal, to name a few examples. Congress throws a bone once in a while but in general schemes to cap military compensation while exempting other federal categories; in short, it appears military compensation and benefits are near the first to suffer when a funding crunch exists…the question is how can such devious behavior be tolerated by America?
The answer: Most politicians and most Americans for that matter, do not understand warrior, family and widow sacrifices…why? They have never served and take freedom for granted. America has lost it’s will, it’s rudder, and the storm is increasing.
The government that commits to it’s warriors in battle and other crisis then reneges when the smoke clears and the floods recede, is in jeopardy as a nation.
Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret
www.eaglesup.us “Where there is no offense, there is no effect.”
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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