Veterans' Services Lacking: Too Few Doctors to Meet the Needs of Thousands

In response to a story written in the GuamPDN entitled "Veterans' Services Lacking: Too Few Doctors to Meet the Needs of Thousands," dated 25FEB2013.

Improvements needed: In this May 2011 file photograph, U.S. Navy veteran Manuel Diaz, second from right, holds up part of a ribbon he helped cut at the Department of Veterans Affairs new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Agana Heights. The clinic has helped to improve services to veterans living on Guam, however, more work needs to be done, according to local veterans and officials. Pacific Daily News.  Photo by: GuamPDN.

Afanelos,

The Nation (the United States of America) is OBLIGATED to CARE for their veterans and there is “NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT!” And it does NOT matter in what capacity the veterans have served. If he or she has served and completed their service obligation HONORABLY, then they are ENTITLED to care.

Not too long ago retirees received FREE medical care without any additional financial obligation. Today, ALL routine retirees MUST pay for TRICARE (or other OPTIONS provided) to ensure they and their dependents continue to receive the medical service(s) previously provided for FREE while still in ACTIVE capacity.

The most effective way in ensuring our VETERANS in Guåhan receive the type of care they truly deserve, they must ALL first register with the VA. They second course of action would have to be continued push, solicitat...ion, of the services desired through the LEGAL and Federal levels to meet and accommodate the current number of patrons.

Veterans Crisis Online: http://veteranscrisisline.net/

 I’ve seen that MANY retirees believe and feel as if they “DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER” since they have retired. Keeping and practicing this mentality does NOT SUPPORT THE OBJECTIVE of getting the greatly NEEDED facilities and service providers that should be part of the servicing process for our veterans as a WHOLE.

Remember, the mission statement for the VA and its services is to “…To fulfill President Lincoln's promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans….” Source: http://www.va.gov/about_va/mission.asp, accessed on: 24FEB2013.

WE as veterans ALL NEED TO HOLD OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FEET TO THE FIRE” just as the Department of Defense had us “…Solemnly swear (or affirm) to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; …bear true faith and allegiance to the same; … obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over US according to regulations and the uniform code of military justice…”

WE must push each and every one of OUR elected officials to SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS to MEET OUR OBJECTIVE(S) in receiving the facilities and sufficient number of care providers to accommodate and support all OUR veterans in need.

Saina’ Ma’åsé

Posted in the GuamPDN online: http://www.guampdn.com/comments/article/20130225/NEWS01/302250302/Veterans-services-lacking-Too-few-doctors-meet-needs-thousands