After a veteran returns from war, some are lucky enough to go home without a scratch, but many suffer severe injuries, in addition to the incapability of reintegrating back into society. As these difficulties arise almost all veterans turns towards the help of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA, for both physical and mental help. Although, many veterans are searching for this help workers of the VA make it difficult, as they constantly judge those in need. According to Martin Kantor, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and author of Uncle Sam's Shame: Inside Our Broken Veterans Administration, Many vets are going to private hospitals because of the “fear of being treated like a second-class citizen” (25). This is a huge issue, since …show more content…
In addition, VA workers become greedy as they begin to see the amount of care many veterans are in need of. They no longer want to be charitable and strive to suffer as much as they do (Kantor 31). This is incredibly jaw dropping because their purpose is to assist the veterans whom have suffered, and makes me question as to why these kinds of people would want to work for the benefit of a veterans life. In addition, many workers of the VA hospital were referred to as sadists, “enjoying the pain they inflict on others” (Kantor 27). These sadistic workers interfere with their jobs because of their desire to hurt veterans emotionally. Not only do these workers judge the veterans that they work for, but also are incompetent with their jobs. This source from Martin Kantor helps see another side of the VA, as it shows the many injustices and improper care given to our veterans. But many workers who are “slacking off” are incredibly difficult to fire because although they don't do the necessary work, they don't create drama or other issues (Kantor 17). This means that in the VA systems there's truly no way to escape the hardships that these workers place upon the
Murray, and Deborah are among some 50,000 veterans who are homeless, or 1.4 million who are considered at risk of homelessness on any given day, due to poverty, lack of support networks, and marginal living conditions in substandard housing, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They, and all those who put on the uniforms of our nation 's armed services, sacrifice so much to defend the freedoms that we all enjoy and take for granted. Far too many, however, come home unable to defend themselves from the ravages of combat.” (Cole, 2015, Para. 23). Cole also goes on to continue stating “Providing shelter to our female and male veterans is not enough; it is simply one step. The transition from soldier to civilian is often the most difficult part of a veteran 's life. Yet the hardships of going from combat to job application, mortgage payments and working a typical 9-to-5 job, far too often are after-thoughts on the post-military agenda. It is no wonder that long after their active tours, many veterans continue to fight to reclaim their health and well-being.(Cole, 2015, Para.
...t and seeing signs of improvement in their mental health (Edge, 2010). Ultimately, the current structure of the United States’ society under capitalism does not allow for an adequate solution to the social problem of the rise of PTSD among military members. Society is structured around individual and corporate interests, which does not leave room for the unique treatments required for PTSD. Unless capitalism is dismantled and a socialist society is created, which would dramatically change the current military structure and potentially reinstate the draft, soldiers will be forced to seek treatment from the neoconservative and liberal systems that offer inadequate treatment, if at all. As social workers, we must operate from the radical humanist perspective of structural social work and seek to help our military members from within the current system, for now.
Americans are defined by the respect they have for their country and its government, in taking advantage of their freedoms and rights that they gain by showing respect through allegiance, pride, and loyalty.
America is the land of opportunity and the land of second chances. People come to America to live a better life, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. When Veterans come back home, all they want is a second chance at life again. They want to come back and be able to start from where they left off. But the government has done very little to help these veterans. The government believes they have done enough with the programs they have created, but it hasn’t had much of a change. The purpose of this essay is to discuss my opinion and what I know about this issue, to benefit The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who are my intended audience. If the government were to put a lot of effort, like they do for pointless issues, there wouldn’t be many struggling veterans. If the government does more to improve every aspect of the reintegration process of veterans, so many benefits would come out of this action. There are a couple of reasons for why we should work toward improving veterans lives. First, there would possibly be a decrease in the veteran suicide levels and a decrease in the substance abuse aspect. Second, less veterans and families will have to worry about living and struggling with mental illnesses. Third, by improving the economical aspect for these veterans, more will find jobs and less will end up on the street homeless. And lastly, the reintegration process won’t be as hard for these veterans, and they will be able to resume a normal life. This essay is not meant to offend in any way, its purpose is to provide a new perspective over this issue, to cause a change for the better.
“Factors Affecting Health Care” (50-55) Demonstrates the sacrifices and how difficult it is for veterans to receive healthcare from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Veteran homelessness must be attacked at multiple levels in order to ensure that it does not turn into a revolving door. So beyond simply providing temporary housing support we will also have to improve our veteran’s lives for the long-term. This entails treatment for their PTSD by providing them with access to health and wellness clinics, recovery resources, peer support groups, and individual counseling. (Note: Key information from HYPERLINK "http://www.voail.org" http://www.voail.org).
Steve Buyer, a member of the house of representatives from Indiana’s fourth district, once said, “Because all of us believe and understand in the fabric of the common bond of why we call ourselves American is to care for the men and women who wear the uniform; and when they take off the uniform, we care for them when they are veterans.” After men or women finish their time serving our country, and they take off their uniform, it does not rid the title of Veteran from them. They are still the brave ones who fought and served for America. The care for the Veterans of America is a crucial part in giving back to those who risked their lives for our country. Veterans need to be taken care of medically, mentally, and financially more as promised by President Obama. “It's a commitment that begins at enlistment, and it must never end. But we know that for too long, we've fallen short of meeting that commitment. Too many wounded warriors go without the care that they need. Too many veterans don't receive the support that they've earned. Too many who once wore our nation's uniform now sleep in our nation's streets."
Ever since the pilgrims first set foot on North American soil there has always been some form of a pension to soldiers of battle. The purpose of this compensation to the soldiers was to allow them to be able to successfully live a post-military life. Over the growth of America the compensation for a soldier’s tenure began to grow as well. From the start of the Old Soldiers Home to the birth of the Veterans Administration (VA) to the inception of the GI Bill the government has adopted more and more methods to aid veterans in their post-military life. However even with all these programs veterans still find themselves struggling to be a part of society as an everyday citizen. Why is it that with all these government programs, veterans are still struggling to adjust to civilian life?
Because veterans are seen as the strongest people in America, they should be seen as talented. “Veterans have proven they can stay employed. They show stability and knowledge, and team ethic” (Gilliland). All of these are characteristics that employers always look for in an employee, whether they are veterans or not. Veterans are pretty similar to regular employees, so there is no need for them to have trouble with employment.
Tragic events occur not only in the United States, but also all over the world. From these tragic events communities, families, and the government decide to place memorials for people that were lost and as a thank you for people protecting the citizens of the country. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall, in Washington D.C. is one of these cases. However, what exactly was the purpose of this memorial? The purpose of putting up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was not only to thank the veterans for their bravery, but to remind future generations about happened during the Vietnam War. Also, the memorial is important to help people and the veterans to accept the fact that the war actually
They use medication and alcohol for sleeping because they obsess that enemies are coming, they need more consciousness to fight back.
We see these people everyday; we thank them for their service. There is several holidays to honor them. Some are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, or even someone that we hold dear to our hearts. They are our veterans of many wars and conflicts that America has been in. We salute them, give them parades, and special parking at different establishments. However, what about those who return from war with nothing? No home, family, and money for whatever reasons. They are homeless veterans.
Veterans had a hard time finding employment after the war. Employers considered a veteran’s service in the Vietnam War as evidence of drug addiction, and refused to hire them. The rejections only made the soldier’s struggles adjusting back to normal life even harder and encouraged their drinking and drug use. These harmful habits were their way of coping with the hate and rejection from society while still helping them forget their experiences in Vietnam. Veterans from the Vietnam War were the victims of an unprepared government.
Nardin, Rachel “Healthcare for vets - and all others” The Boston Globe. 11 NOV 2007: N. Pag. Boston.com. WEB. 10 Nov 2009.
In 1636 the “Pilgrims passed a law which stated that disabled soliders would be supported by the colony.” (VA History) This paved the way for veterans’ benefits and healthcare. It wasn’t until 1811 that the federal government authorized the first medical and domiciliary facilities along with benefits and pensions for the veterans and their families. When the United States entered World War 1 in 1917, Congress created a new system for veterans’ benefits such as disability compensation, insurance, vocational rehabilitation. These benefits were directed by three different agencies in the Federal Government, these branches were the Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Ten years later congress authorized the president to “consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans”; this action united the three component agencies into bureaus under the veterans’ administration. In the following six decades there were vast increases in the veteran population, and new benefits enacted by congress for veterans following Wo...