Category: Military

  • Republicans Vote Against Veterans

    “Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a bill to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits weeks after the measure initially sailed through the Senate with 84 votes, angering Democrats, veterans groups and comedian Jon Stewart, a leading proponent to aid the community.” 1

    “A bill aimed at protecting veterans exposed to toxic materials during their service was shut down yesterday in the Senate, in a 55 to 42 vote that failed to meet the 60-vote threshold necessary to advance the legislation. Of the 42 senators who voted against the PACT Act, 41 were Republicans.” 2

    ‘Republican lawmakers blocked passage of a bill in the U.S. Senate Wednesday that expands healthcare coverage for military veterans who were exposed to toxins and burn pits during their service.’ 3

    “He was among the veterans, military family members and advocates staged on the Capitol steps for the fourth night on Sunday, pledging to remain until Congress passes a bill that covers health care for those exposed to toxins while serving in uniform. Earlier that day, the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs warned that a new Republican proposal could leave the agency “rationing” veterans’ health care. GOP lawmakers blocked the aid from passing last week in what comedian Jon Stewart, a longtime veterans advocate, blasted as “a disgrace.”” 4

  • Republicans That Voted Against the Veteran “Honoring Our PACT Act”

    Republicans That Voted Against the Veteran “Honoring Our PACT Act”

    Common Defense

    Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

    “Republicans just gave us the middle finger by voting against the Honoring Our PACT Act, which protects toxin-exposed veterans.

    We can’t say we’re surprised. Time and time again Republicans have shown they couldn’t care less about improving the lives of their constituents – and that includes veterans.

    This is the same party that proclaims to fight for our freedoms and “advocates” for veterans. But clearly, when it comes time to step up and give us what we deserve, they decide to stand in the way.

    Common Defense has been on the frontlines of the fight to get this bill passed because we know what a big difference it’ll make in the day-to-day lives of us veterans. And we’re thrilled that we’re one step closer to getting it signed into law – no thanks to the Republicans who tried to shoot it down.” 5

  • Art Fettig’s Monday Morning Memo

    Art Fettig’s Monday Morning Memo

    Originally published on May 25, 2009 – For Memorial Day

    Art Fettig’s Monday Morning Memo
    May 25, 2009

    In This Issue
    o A Letter To Max
    o Say Something Good
    o Visit Our Website
    o Points To Ponder
    o A Little Humor
    o Quote of the Week

    A Letter To Max © Art Fettig

    Writing A Letter

    Dear Max,

    It’s Memorial Day and I’m thinking about Korea and about you, Max.  You and those other G.I’s they carried off on liters from that damn, beat-up powder-topped hill we called Old Baldy.  We were fighting so that the world would be safe for democracy.  Maybe we did a lousy job of it Max, because people are still killing each other for the same reason.

    Oh, I remember you Max.  You didn’t talk much, but we spent every moment together, sitting in that stinkin’ bunker, through those long nights.  We took turn on watch, putting our lives in each other’s hands for a couple of hours sleep.
    Max, I remember how we went without food for two days because somebody screwed up in our supply lines.  Finally, I got so disgusted that I crawled up to the Command Post.  While I was there those rounds came in.
    Later, when I went back to our bunker, I found you Max.  You and that other guy I’d never known before.  I guess he was just passing by when that barrage came in and he jumped into our hole and he met death there for me.

    So I’m still here to remember you Max; you and that other guy and that beat up hill where we chose to meet the enemy and say, “Hold it!  We’ve come to make this world safe for democracy.”  They didn’t listen, Max, and they killed you.

    Max, I’ve got the feeling that maybe we made that trip overseas in vain.  That the place to make the world safe for democracy is right here and the time is right now.  What we’ve really got to remember today is that war is hell and that death is real and what the world needs right now, Max, is love.  Love and a lot more love.  Not a lot of men running across oceans to make the world safe for democracy.

    You didn’t say very much, Max, but I remember what you did say.  It seemed pretty corny right then.  You said, “Man must learn to love his fellow man.” 

    Max, it is finally beginning to make sense to me.  Like you said, Max,  Love is the answer.

    Signed,
    Your Buddy Art 

    Say Something Good

    Memorial Day and  I’m remembering a lot of friends and relatives that gave their lives for this country. Many of them served and then came home so messed up that they could not function in the normal world. May God bless all serving our nation at this time and all who have served. And may God Bless America.

    Points To Ponder

    Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. Lou Holtz

    A Little Humor

    Our company has a huge abacus under glass in case our computer breaks down.

    Quote of the Week

    The possibility of stepping into a higher plane is quite real for everyone. It requires no force or effort or sacrifice. It involves little more than changing our ideas about what is normal. Deepak Chopra

  • Veterans in Arizona Celebrate Diversity

    Veterans in Arizona Celebrate Diversity

    LGBTQ+ Diversity

    Reach Out to the Phoenix VA LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator

    June was PRIDE Month, and VA takes pride in striving to improve the health and healthcare for LGBTQ+ Veterans. There are an estimated one million lesbian, gay, and bisexual Veterans in the United States. Research also shows that transgender identity is about five times more common among Veterans than non-Veterans.

    Sexual and gender minority Veterans have faced stigma and discrimination, which can affect health, so VA is working to make sure that LGBTQ+ Veterans know they are welcome within the VA healthcare system.

    For information about services, reach out to our Phoenix VA LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator, Dr. Ash Senter, at 602-234-7190.

  • Ross Reck: Holiday Memories Are Created By The Things You Do, Not the Things You Buy

    Soldier Giving Gift

    For a number of years, my wife conducted gift making workshops during early December.  During these workshops, she would ask the participants to share their most cherished holiday memories.  Not once did anyone recall a specific gift.  It was always about something they had done with someone else, something they had done for someone else or something someone else had done for them.  The simple, but powerful truth here is that the holiday season is about doing and sharing, not about buying.  So, keep this in mind the next time you are stressing out over how you are going to find or pay for that “perfect” gift.  Memories are created by what you do, not what you buy.

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