[eggplant43]

I had not heard of Tammy Duckworth until several weeks ago. It is possible she will be considered for the directorship of the VA:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/508911.html

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

I had not heard of Tammy Duckworth until several weeks ago. It is possible she will be considered for the directorship of the VA:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/508911.html

Good choice!

[eggplant43]

In early 2007, Feggins finally received an in-person briefing, complete with PowerPoint slides, from a high-ranking officer. The officer gave her the official Army version of her son's death, saying he'd been killed by enemy mortars -- a version of events contradicted by the video obtained by Salon. He also assured her that Nelson had died instantly and had not suffered. "When we found him on the roof, he was still in his position," the officer said, "holding his weapon."

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20...friendly_fire/

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20...friendly_fire/

[Sarge]

...

[ckphilli]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

I believe the biggest victims of war are the innocents, the non-combatants. What some insensitive folks would categorize as "collateral damage". I believe the second largest group of victims are the veterans who served their countries honorably, and never asked for anything more than to serve.

But their is a price veterans pay that others don't have to pay, death, injury, disability, psychological damage, and the effect upon their families. To often, in our nations history these things have been denied, minimized, and neglected by politicians who talk the talk, but often, have not walked the walk.

I've started this thread for veterans, and those who care about us to keep track of the events that affect our lives. I hope this will become a place where we can share ideas, thoughts, news, and feelings.

Here's an article I ran across tonight:

http://washingtonindependent.com/190...ose-your-house

Hi Eggy- Nice post I'd like to add a couple of thoughts...

First, I personally don't feel that a politicians service record is a requirement for my vote. As long as they have enough intelligence to listen to the experts, I think that they might even make better decisions than those who have served. It's somewhat of a micromanagement issue in my pebble brain. Explaining, if you haven't walked the walk you must depend on those that have.

Second, I totally agree with the victims portion of your post. I learned just recently that my son used to cry at night when I was deployed. He never told me about that when I was gone and said nothing about it until several months after. The affect is incredible, and we sometimes don't realize how incredible it really is.

[eggplant43]

Originally Posted by ckphilli

Hi Eggy- Nice post I'd like to add a couple of thoughts...

First, I personally don't feel that a politicians service record is a requirement for my vote. As long as they have enough intelligence to listen to the experts, I think that they might even make better decisions than those who have served. It's somewhat of a micromanagement issue in my pebble brain. Explaining, if you haven't walked the walk you must depend on those that have.

Second, I totally agree with the victims portion of your post. I learned just recently that my son used to cry at night when I was deployed. He never told me about that when I was gone and said nothing about it until several months after. The affect is incredible, and we sometimes don't realize how incredible it really is.

Yes, everyone pays a price, It is at the least disruptive, and many times goes way beyond that. No one ever expected serving one's country to be painless, in fact, there is a clear willingness to pay the price on the part of most who serve. What matters, as far as I'm concerned, is a fair recognition of that price.

[eggplant43]

Retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki will be introduced tomorrow as President-elect Barack Obama's nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, a Democratic official familiar with the announcement said tod

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the...l?hpid=topnews

[eggplant43]

http://washingtonindependent.com/212...s-affairs-secy

[buffoon]

Originally Posted by Sarge

...

igualmente, compañero, igualmente y para la familia también (the same to you pardner, the same to you and for the family as well).

[eggplant43]

As many as 360,000 of the nation's 1.8 million military reservists and National Guard members own small businesses or work in family companies, said Richard Ramirez of the U.S. Association of Veterans in Business.

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/200...efields_t.html

[eggplant43]

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/200...efields_t.html

That is sad!

[eggplant43]

General Shinseki has a record of courage and honesty, and I believe he is a bold choice to lead the VA. As a wounded and decorated combat veteran and the first Asian American in U.S. History to be a four-star general, General Shinseki has the potential to be an effective and dedicated advocate for veterans of all generations. He is a man that has always put patriotism ahead of politics, and is held in high regard by veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA looks forward to supporting him to implement the historic change that is needed at the VA.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-r..._b_149042.html

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-r..._b_149042.html