my 138th ltte supporting the troops printed TODAY!

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2008/06/10/opinion/doc484ebaaa80d36885595424.txt
To the Editor,

Recent reaction to my latest letter confirms what I have dreaded. Our nation has forgotten.

In 2000, we were at peace. We have been at war for over five years now and 4,094 troops have been killed with 29,978 troops wounded to the point that they can not return to duty. Our government has, up until the last year, shown a general disregard for our returning soldiers and Marines.

As of today, there are between 500,000 and 879,000 homeless veterans in the United States.

Time will tell how many of these are Iraq War Veterans.

Just this year, the V.A has recognized this problem (of 30+ years duration) and begun to provide more funding for our forgotten heroes.

You see, my son was one of those casualties. He enlisted in the Army after 9/11 and I supported him. I have seen firsthand the disregard our nation has for its returning wounded. My son was wounded during his second deployment. Due to the high influx of casualties, his surgeries were delayed. Left to languish in Langstuhl, Germany, he drank himself into oblivion. His PTSD was evident to everyone but the Army. He was deployed again a year later. Returning, there was no reintegration program for these young men. We wonder why so many are now suffering in silence with their demons.

I see many “Support the Troops” ribbons. How many “Support our Veterans” ribbons do you see?

Am I bitter? Yes. My resolution? To reveal the truth that the mainstream media refuses to report. Do you disagree?

Exercise your First Amendment rights. Bless you, and let’s support our troops ... current and former.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I took off my ribbon magnet

I got one of the first ones from the local Guard unit for a donation towards better body armor. When the ribbons became something you buy for a buck at the convenience store, they lost all meaning. Veterans are to be supported. I know that my company has given free pest services to returning vets--may seem silly or even trivial, but my company is a pest control company and that is one way we can try and help.

[w8liftinglady]

3. please leave this as a comment to my letter...

maybe the local merchants will get a clue

[Mz Pip]

2. Excellent letter

There is such an out of sight, out of mind attitude about the troops and returning veterans it make my blood boil. But the idiots in charge expect to continue to do what has been a failure in hopes that eventually it will be a success. Never mind the casualties or the long term costs of such folly.

I hear nothing but platitudes and talking points from BushCo and his supporters. They have bullied people into supporting them and their war. It's time to end it and take care of the casualties.

[w8liftinglady]

4. thank you...that would make an excellent comment on the website...

please consider leaving it as a comment to my letter..I promise the paper does not spam or sell your email address