Patients, Veterans, or Prisoners?

[Stinky The Clown]

So Mrs. Sparkly and I decided this year we would invite two wounded vets from either Bethesda Naval Hospital or Walter Reed to be with us and our family for Christmas. Surely, we figured, there would be some who are there but who are ambulatory (in physical therapy or something similar) and probably able to get passes to leave for short times. Further, we figure, there are some who can't get home for the holidays and will otherwise be alone.

So today I get onna horn and call each place and ask about it.

In both cases, pretty much the same answer:

That's a nice gesture, thanks! ....... Uh, sorry, no, we don't have anyone who would be able to coordinate that with you. ........ In fact, it isn't possible. Blah blah blah ..... security ....... yadda yadda yadda .... liability .....

So I sez ..... but we've done it before ... from active duty stations. Aren't these guys under similar situations there, except for being medical patients?

So voice-onna-phone sez .... the active duty guys are free to do as they wish. They can make up their own minds. But our guys .......

What the fuck was that? Can't they think for themselves? ...... or ..... maybe ..... cuz ... yanno ...... being injured vets ..... well ..... maybe ..... they won't speak so kindly about the mission .... yanno?:shrug:

Now, to be fair and honest, the person I spoke to in both cases was military and very polite, very friendly, and seemed genuinely appreciative of the offer. But still ......... ?

M'I missin' sumpin here ......... ?