Some of the 'Services' and 'Programs we have available
Some of the 'Services' and 'Programs we have available
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A Critical Crossroad?
Aug.24th, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
I have decided that honesty and communicating the truth has left the halls of the Legislature in droves. The same applies to the Judicial and the Executive branches in various degrees. I see these traits have creeped into some of the minds of those that are running for office! How does all this apply and affect veterans and their families? How does all of this affect our Active Military? Big time, is how it affects us. We rely on those folks to involve us in war, conflicts and to let us know where and how much we are prepared to defend and fight for our Nation. We rely on them to provide the care we get when we are on the battlefield and when we come home.
Does loyalty take center stage for each of these people? Is their loyalty to the people of this Nation? Are they delivering? I have to believe that when we choose the leaders that will be making the decisions that control our life, death or blood shed will be made by a person that is trustworthy to us.
Maybe I am asking for personas that are no longer relevant. Our Nation has changed, is it changing for the better? I have hope that all this talk and different ideas will bring about a new and fresh outlook of our governance and peace. When President Lincoln gave his famous speech at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg. Lincoln said “(…) that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom---and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” I was not there when he spoke but I am sure in that speech when he said…”a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” these words spoken in 1863 might be as fresh today as they were back then. We might be looking at a crossroad of a new direction for our Nation. Compromise or even a new form of government might be in the wings. Whatever happens to the structure and direction of our Country our military will be there long after the smoke and mirrors are gone. With that said, we all need to continue to focus on our needs and make sure we don’t get lost in the political quagmire. Be involved in the big picture of politics, and also continue to fight for the essentials of our military, veterans and the families.
We have always been a house divided. America has, as far as I can remember partisan fissures. I just don’t recall the vitriol and lack of individual thought being as rampant and as deep. A political party or another person’s viewpoint should never be more important than a person’s own point of view. Emotions have taken over the issues. As sanity starts to creep in, we will find agreement over some issues and find compromise or a change of direction. Whatever happens, will take us to the other side called governing.
Tearing it all apart should be the last solution of this experiment called the United States of America.
Better to have understanding of the differences and by voting for your values, issues and policies that you hold dear. Keeping the pressure on our elected officials and reminding them, without us they are nothing.
Which party holds our future? You have seen the past, are experiencing the now and have hopes for the future. Do you believe that we are better divided or does one side or other need to rule? Or do you think that together we would be stronger? In any case, our future as veterans and family members hangs in the decisions that are made by the folks we elect.
Our future as veterans and the wars and conflicts that we fight will be determined by the individuals we place in office. We are about ready to find out how we are going to address our economy, conflicts around the world, strained interactions, environmental issues, foreign policy and the challenge right here at home of race, religion, ethnicity, political ideology. I am tired of blame and unforgiving judgment; I hope the next group of officials are also as tired of this subpar intolerance as I am today. Next are two quotes from Lincoln that might give you food for thought.
“ America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” President Lincoln (Moderately conservative Republican-with a moderately social liberal political philosophy). Lincoln repeated these words in a more concise version: “Nations do not die from invasion; they die from internal rottenness.”
Connecting in Strange Ways…
August 10th, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Whether we are in the middle of a war that our Nation is fighting or we are enjoying a time of peace throughout the world and in our Nation, our veterans and our active-duty military are always in the background. Our Country’s very core and lifeblood is centered around the men/women that have served. We owe our very unusual American experiment and freedoms to those that signed on the bottom line to serve.
I like many others that have served have brought back something that is so powerful that every community in the USA is affected, including our own. We are all, I believe, responsible for helping to defeat one of the most dangerous foes that many of our military bring back with them. The internal demons that attack the mind. Seems like I run into many of our men/women in and about the Western Treasure Valley that have those elements. Some hide them very well. Others are not even aware of the demons they carry with them, each and every day.
Our community has many stories of experiences of war zone or military times. Most of the stories are cleaned up and some are even funny. All of them are interesting if you listen carefully. Some of us tell the same story, over and over and some don’t talk, at all. That story that is not verbalized is also very interesting if you sit and feel the aura. I am sure there is no scientific studies to prove that the energy that surrounds us can be understood but I know that the ‘vibes’ of a person is something that we can sense. We know when a person is sad or happy or even excited when we meet them without a word spoken. You feel the emotions of the person. I have sat next to a person at the VA and when going around to the nursing homes in our area and, in some cases, not uttered a word to the veteran, and the veteran also has not said a thing for an hour or so. Yet we have connected and he has told me a story without a word spoken. That experience is being human. I hope those that read this might listen more closely to some of us. The verbal stories are interesting but the nonverbal ones also have an importance. Our emotional health is very closely related to our overall health, and if we have a chance to tell our stories in our time span and if we have folks around us that are caring, the stories that we tell will be the history that might help others that come after us and a healing experience for us now.
I was telling a story the other day about a friend that I met in Vietnam that gave me complete peace of mind. That friend was a spider in my hootch! He was a brilliant blue, green with two red marks on his face, he was about 6 inches long and wove a magnificent web. That spider was the friend that got me through a tough time. I could go on and on about that friend and have told others about him and found that many that have served in Vietnam remembered the spiders (they did not make them friends like mine) but got them to talking about their experiences. I never found another ‘Nam vet that befriended a spider like I did but it put a smile on their face and allowed them to tell me a story about their time in ‘Nam.
The purpose of this column today is to open the eyes and ears of people around our community and listen. Have children enjoy the stories of grandpa or grandma, mom or dad, loved one or stranger and hear about the time spent serving our Nation. Living history is all around us and we all can learn from the time past and make the lives of those telling the stories better. Those listening also receive the pleasure knowing someone is healthier because they got something off their chest.
Ever watch the interaction of the magic that a very old person and a small child has when they connect and sit for hours communicating with each other? Sometimes it is before the child even learns to speak. I have experienced the interconnecting of loved ones or even complete strangers sharing times that neither one understands the story but connects on a level that heals the soul. The power of this without judgment is the essence of life itself. Even that super weirdo eerie Uncle that lives in a cave has a story.
“Perhaps the secret of living well is not having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.” Rachel Naomi Remen (American pioneer of integrative medicine).
Immunity For Our Troops?
July 13th, 2024 Veteran Column by Ronald Verini
With the new Supreme Court Ruling that covers immunity will an order that clearly violates U. S. law or even international law when executed, will that same protection of immunity be extended to those individuals that have carried the order to fruition? This is important, especially in regards to our military forces that have, in the past, been instructed to disregard orders that clearly violate law. It has been the case that the Uniform Code of Military Justice has stated that ‘duty to disobey’ if the order is illegal or unconstitutional.
Any military member that has received such an order is required to disobey in the past. I wonder what the future looks like for us regarding this issue?
We as military are required to obey superior orders but have also been held responsible for illegal acts. We now are placed to be in a position of carrying out orders, possibly landing us in prison or worse.
Truly: Are we protected from this new ruling or do we take on an added responsibility? What do we do, until we get the word that we are protected or not? What do we do now if we are given an order that is a clear violation of law? Military disobedience is only the beginning of this road that we are on right now. ‘Obey’ or ‘Disobey’? Frighting choice for the person that has been placed in that position. The extremes that this order can take us is such a big load on a military member that it is time for our Nation to spell out what our obligations are?
At this point I am not interested in the politics of this new ruling by the Supreme Court. What I am interested in, is where does that decision place each of us in the military and how are we protected from discipline for orders that are clearly illegal?
My viewpoint of some that we have in government, elected and appointed, are unhinged and deranged, or maybe I am reading too much into what I am reading in the news. I am not saying anything that has a slant, one way or other, regarding a political side. What I am saying is that this new rule might put the military at risk and how are we protected if put into a situation that we might regret if we take the wrong move.
Is this food for thought or is it a serious situation that needs to be addressed? I believe it’s a serious situation and it needs to be addressed, and the sooner the better.
As I am writing this, I am thinking about what has happened, over the years in the education system and the additional responsibility that military families have in deciphering the laws of each state, remember most military families move every 2 to 3 years and some more frequent. New ways that families have to learn for their youth have put in some cases such a burden on the families and students. Less concentration on education and more on procedures and interpretation of what rules the parents and children have to face.
The two different scenarios are similar knowing that military families that are stationed in different states are subject to new rules that cover education for their children. All this is sometimes very stressful for our military and now this other decree that needs to be understood and followed is just more pressure if the consequences of these issues are not spelled out in language that is easy to follow. Not legalese.
Our Nation is asking a lot from us.
The three branches of federal/state governments all affect our service. Trying to keep up with all the changes places much on our shoulders. Our national security and our liberties all are changing and I believe every active military and veteran has to be on top of what is going on so we do not get the short end of the stick!
It truly is the responsibility of each in our society through our elected officials to straighten all of this out. I do not think that it is our responsibility as members of the armed forces and families to sort it all out. I do believe that we need to have our voices heard on these matters so that others realize the ramifications of all the new laws and rules that affect our military order.
We all have a responsibility to raise our voices in places that put our freedoms at risk, our lives in danger and the support of our military and families in jeopardy.
“An unjust law is no law at all.” Aurelius Augustinus. (lived from 354-430 Developed ‘Just War Theory’ doctrine).
The Cost of Freedom…
June 29th, 2024 Veteran Column by Ronald Verini
Have you ever been overwhelmed by events that were not totally of your making? Have you been exposed to something so horrible that your mind could not grasp the total event? Then your mind takes over and controls your body and you realize you are no longer in control. The Declaration of Independence starts off with, “When in the course of human events,”. That was the beginning of how America started its way to freedoms we have today. Along its path, the events that we experience as military men/women in the heat of war zones around the World bring those words to life from our founding fathers and those human events that our Declaration that talks so eloquently about our freedoms leaves out the human toll of bodies and minds along the way.
The payment extracted from our warriors for the freedoms we have today is the blood of many battles and the broken minds left along the way.
The price of freedom is great and seeing the men/women in our community that have make commitments in the past and are now serving in the military brings to light the high and heavy price each one has and is paying for us to live in one of the free Nations of the World. My hope is we don’t mess it up and chip away at the very core of each and every one of our freedoms that we fought so hard, for so many years.
This column is more than just a reflection of what has passed. This column is what we are fighting for every day in getting the just deserved health care of the men/women that have served and to ease the suffering, as best we can. It is also a hope for the future of service members and why they should serve. Yes, this column even talks about our Legislature, Executive and even occasionally the Judicial branch of our government. Every one of these issues are important for our military men/women’s welfare.
I not only reflect on the past, talk about what is going on now but discuss what needs to be done for our future. Our future, as the military family in all its greatness and all of the challenges we experience because of our governments efficiency or shortcoming that controls our every day.
Yesterday I had an appointment at the VA and sat down next to another veteran that came over from Payette and we exchanged small talk for a while. Then when he realized I was from Ontario he mentioned it was amazing that the small area that we are from there is so many organizations that were set up to help veterans. I mentioned: Yet, so many veterans are still struggling to get help. I learned from him that he was getting all he needed with the care he was getting, so he didn’t realize that other veterans in our area didn’t have access to a car, or were not able to drive because of injuries. I also mentioned that some veterans also needed help with counseling but had a problem with the drive over to Caldwell or Boise and getting back. Some had jobs and could not break away for that time away to get the help needed. He mentioned that he really did not think about all the challenges of other veterans and was interested in maybe helping when he got back to Payette and reach out a hand for a veteran to help.
I was thrilled that I had an opportunity to talk with him and I realized that it is not only the government that needs to be educated on what we need but it is also some of us that are in the ranks need to understand we are not all getting the help needed. That was a very productive trip to the VA for me because it reminded me that it takes conversation with others to learn much. That part of the conversation called listening made a difference for me that day. You also might give it a try!!!
Events from the time our founding fathers started this Nation with the American Revolution against British rule, then in 1776 the Declaration of Independence then moving on with World War II transforming the United States into the leader of the “free world”. Every part of what is the greatest Nation on earth is, was because of the blood sweat and tears of our military.
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” Albert Camus (philosopher, author, 1957 Nobel Prize- literature).
General Patton and Our Community.
June 15th, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Have you ever looked at and really understood what General George Patton said back in WWII: He said something to the effect, “No one wins a war by dying for their Country, but by making others die for theirs.” While that is a great quote it does not really go into the whole thought process that Patton was touching on. He realized that that sacrifice can never be Honored too much, and that giving your life for our Country far exceeds the Heroic death itself. He is known to point out the sacrifices that our military gives in the service of our Nation, each and every day.
Every one of us that have served, are serving and that will serve in the future are the backbone that keeps our Nation from becoming a paper tiger of insignificance on the World stage.
He has expounded on leadership, and his thoughts on that regarding selecting leaders for their accomplishment and not for their popularity. I think this might be true today with his insight of human nature. His job was to lead and command (in some cases) a very inexperienced group of troops that were headed for combat. I would think that if he did this under those conditions during WWII and was as successful as he was back then, we might take some of his knowledge and use it for the leadership of our communities of the Western Treasure Valley.
I know that in my first paragraph we might not take the part of signing on the bottom line as a military person to the extent of sitting on our local City Council but we might take his leadership knowledge and use some of it for the voting of folks that might be representing us in the function of running our Cities, Counties and even those elected officials that we send to the state and federal level.
What a novel idea of learning from those that were winning leaders of the past, now thinking about selecting leaders that make governance count. Building a team and with that thought in mind remembering that if all of them are on the same page thinking a similar thought then somebody isn’t thinking! You don’t need ‘yes’ people on the team, you need folks that explore different perspectives of the same mission or objective you are all trying to accomplish.
We have the freedom here in our community that many in the World could only imagine and never have. We have freedoms, such as the freedoms of religion, press, speech, assembly and even the right to petition the government. There are other freedoms that I have not mentioned that each one of us cherish each and every day. I listen and read about what our local city councils and our state and federal officials are proposing and I cringe at the thought that each day we are getting chipped away of our rights that we in the military have fought so hard for. Amazing what some good-Samaritans with good intentions of protecting us from ourselves are doing to one of the freest Nations on Earth. Obviously, this column is my opinions and many would not agree with some of them. I certainly appreciate conflicting opinions. I do feel that when writing about our military and attempting to get the very best care and to also understand the necessary need to attract future service-members I need to look at the total picture and not just a small part and narrow scope of what all the pieces of the puzzle entail.
To understand what the needs of our veterans have in our community and how to identify resources, I truly have to dig into the weeds of all the functions of government and what is happening and who are making the decisions for us to be effective in passing on what I feel is the solutions for many of the challenges that our military has.
If I identify the need and just work with what is available now and not reach out and see all of the different levels of government and question the veracity of their actions, then ideas that haven’t been thought of might never be brought to light and our recruitment, retention and care of veterans would suffer.
He was probably one of the most obnoxious, pompous, grandiose and controversial figures of his time. He was also one of the best leaders we have had in the 248 years we have been formed. Why not learn from the best, especially for our own community.
“ Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.” General George S. Patton (“Old Blood and Guts” World War II United States Army).
Old Thoughts vs. New Visions…
June 1st, 2024 Veteran Column by Ronald Verini
Old thought and values are important to learn from, for this ‘new world’ we live in. Some times we need to embrace the new and fringe ideas to solve problems that have not been helped by our old ways. I believe it is beneficial for the VA to find new ways to solve the veteran suicide, homelessness, wait times, and even the record problems of inter-communications between the DoD and the VA health system.
Clearly years of working with normal thought has not had a large degree of success. We have to embrace the minds that are outside of the ‘old’ realm and reach for new ideas from the fringe so we emerge with new solutions to solve the process that we have today. Yes, it has been working to a degree but has been stuck at a level of basic combat training or boot camp, and yes, it is sufficient but gets the job done only to a point. The job then needs to be retooled in the heat of battle with ‘boots on the ground’ and minds that improvise on the basic skills that have got us trained in teamwork, discipline, handling weapons, etc.
We are now at the point that ideas that seem far-fetched or might even be tied to the new AI (Artificial Intelligence) could find ways to improve our healthcare and customer service. That might be able to provide software that can reason with the input we have provided and reach a conclusion that will be beneficial in solving the most basic or even complex problems of the system today in the VA.
I was sitting in the Four Rivers Culture Center the other day overhearing two students from the Four Rivers Community School talking about artificial intelligence and how it might help with solving some of the homework they had to do over the weekend!!! Then I received an interesting iMessage from Mike Miller regarding corporations controlling what universities study and the peer review and that process of like minds and stifling the thought process. I then brought those two thoughts together and talked with some veterans at the VA while I was waiting for an appointment and the brainstorm for this article was born. Maybe we have solved the problems of the VA by thinking outside the normal. I will take this to mean we/I are on the right track because most of the folks that were in this process had very little to do with the present form of what the VA process has in place right now.
A new paradigm for approaching and solving, what has been some unsolvable problems of the system. What a novel idea using the minds and tools that are now available if we take the time and a few dollars that are now going to programs and administration costs and third-party reviews that, I feel could be used for delving into solutions. Solutions instead of moving the same pieces around and coming up with the same system but with more waste. I deem that because we don’t know what we don’t know, the answer is not to be part of the same mentality of the past. We need to embrace new visions and stop thinking the knowledge we have now to solve our problems of the VA is fine and is working. Incompetence is very hard for educated people folks to realize, especially if they are in the system and helping to move the same pieces around. Maybe if a few become ‘well educated’ and, at the same time enlightened with stepping out of the mainstream thought process we might be able to help the veterans that are thinking about suicide today. Solutions. That should be the goal and not chasing our tail.
I am thinking that with the intellect and skills we have right here in our local communities we should be tapped by the VA to solve what they have not been able to do for years. Just a thought.
I realized the other day that my flashbacks are getting more real and know that, even though, I was not a combat veteran I have suffered from some of the extremes of my service. I believe that the true combat veteran or service-member that has been on the front lines or outside the wire in ‘Nam has got to come first in getting the help that the VA offers. That help needs to be there and I am frustrated to think that after all these years I still see combat veterans without the support they need to stay healthy. Need to get the psychobabble of labels out, and the hands on -eye ball to eye ball- help in.
“Vision without action is merely a dream.” Malcolm Forbes (entrepreneur and politician).
Reflecting on Our Founders…
May 18th, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These words in our Declaration of Independence are there for ALL. Your understanding of these words and the many other words of our founding fathers are always subject to interpretation. How you fit into the building blocks that make our Nation great are also controlled by how you address these issues and how Congress and all of the bureaucracy in Washington and around our Country addresses our rights.
In the Declaration of Independence, it states happiness is a universal right. Does that mean we need to consider the safety and well-being of others? We as citizens and veterans need to consider that without our veterans’ and servicemembers’ the United States of America would not have many of the rights we have, in the form they are today.
Why do I talk about our founding fathers, and the words they spoke many years ago? I address these questions today because I see a more partisan and up for sale to the highest bidder than what some of us fought for. Is it right, I don’t know if our military will see the volunteers that we will need in the future if we are not fighting for the rights and happiness of ALL and not for just the few that control the strings of government.
We need to understand that when veterans are asking for help in taking care of our health needs it is for ALL that are suffering, not for just a few that have political and financial clout. Despite our government role in providing care for us after we served, we also most see the bigger picture of our Country and where it is headed. Because how our civilians are treated will filter through to how our veteran and active duty servicemembers are treated in the future.
All of this has real inter-connections with our rights and you have the power of the vote to make sure your values are represented in Washington today. That vote you cast might be the one that will make a difference in the care of our military men/women in the tomorrows hope of better care.
Safe living conditions, having enough food and medical care are always being thrown about in the halls of government and should be. We as citizens need to be the first avenue of each of these needs. Then with special needs, our government might have our back. With our military, our government is the first avenue and then with special needs our own responsibilities come into play.
There is truly a crossover from the civilian and military sectors that need to be addressed. Much of that is determined by time served, service-connected disabilities, combat or non-combat, or even the type of MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) should be considered.
The core of our America and what it stands for are in the words of the Declaration of Independence. Words matter. It is this document that many in the service of our country understand the principles of why we have fought and why we have sacrificed. We cannot stand by as a lazy bystander and let others determine our future. We need to stop the hemorrhaging and give a more defined direction of our Nation.
Our local veterans of the Western Treasure Valley as they read this might think about what is at stake when they vote and encourage others to also vote and maybe we will all look back and say this was truly the turning point of making our Nation shine, a little brighter!!!
Government exists to serve us (the people) and sometimes it happens that our elected officials forget that part of the agreement as to why they were sent to Washington in the first place. It is also why it has taken some of our veterans 50+ years to get benefits they deserved all that time, and some never did get benefits.
When a veteran has completed his service to our Nation, we should not discard some of them because it might cost more than we would like. We can do more, and as we discuss and read documents like the Declaration of Independence I wonder if the founders would be turning over in their graves how we have been treating some of those that have served and some of our civilians.
I have talked today about the Declaration of Independence and how I believe it intertwines with the care and benefits of veterans because I believe it established fundamental rights and principles of our Nation for ALL. This Declaration sets the tone…and gives the power to the people (us).
“The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted: it belongs to the brave.” Ronald Reagan.
The Future is Now…
May 4th, 2024 Veteran Column by Ronald Verini
There has been more data published about veterans assimilating into civilian life over the last 10-15 years then, probably since WWII. I don’t know about you but I find it stimulating and hopeful that with all this documentation and published material there might be hope? A solution to some of the ways we might better transition from the military to civilian life might be coming? Dubious result is really what I think will happen. Like it took over 50 years to help with Agent Orange poisoning to the bodies of our Vietnam veterans after that many years of documentation, and articles published. Hope is always in the background for all of us and perseverance of pounding the table and fighting for better health care will continue to help but realizing that our efforts might not pay for us but might help those that will be coming after us in the future.
Altruistic is the word and action we should be striving for since it is good for our health as we accomplish that goal. It is folks like you and I that might not reap the benefits of the actions we take. Think about those that will be helped years from now because of what we are doing today in the fight for better health care and a better solution to the move from military to civilian life. I know that this effort has made my quality of life better. I have lived longer than I originally planned, my blood pressure is low and my positive attitude is high.
Being proactive in serving our community of veterans and the general public is good for self-confidence and better well-being.
Think about back to basic training and the military environment, especially combat. The very nature of our training is a pro-social and certainly altruistic in form and function. The very survival of yourself is in many cases the survival of those around you.
I am not talking something that is theoretical, I am saying that patriotism, honor, professional camaraderie, commitment and our military code should take us to a higher level than any civilian can ever imagine. We are the ones that have served and we are the ones that will save those that come after us some of the hardships that we have endured. Because of all this documentation and talk today, we are also the ones if we put our soul into it that will also be rewarded for our efforts as we fight for others and at the same time fight for the health care and benefits, we deserve.
We are benefiting from those that have come before us. Those that have taken the ball and run with it fighting for their benefits. Many of them have died trying to get help and I will bet that they lived longer fighting for the benefits and health care than persons that sat on the sidelines and did nothing? You can throw up your hands and let Congress continue pulling the strings on your life or you can take the bull by the horns and take ride and fight for what you and others are entitled. Your voice multiplied by the thousands of other veterans speaks louder than any person that serves in Congress. Your voice is louder than the VA or anyone at the VA if we all speak up. Your/our voice is powerful and can make our government work with us, and for us. This can only happen if you speak up. Your vote and say-so are strong. So, make some waves and be the change for better. You are able to do this at very little or no cost to you. Write a letter, send a email, text or be involved by volunteering with a group of like minded folks that are already organized.
When we come through this partisan standoff and come to our senses and emerge on the other side; focusing on improving our national interest we have to be ready in taking advantage of cooler heads and possible solutions to our needs. Or we can watch the paint dry or contemplate our navel.
We learn from the past and we must live and strive for our future. Today is really the beginning, and the fight for our benefits started in the past but today we can add to that drive making sure the future needs of us and ones that come after us are known and the solutions found.
Hope you have enjoyed this column, or at least had a chance to think about what we have and what we need and maybe inspired to do something to improve our future.
“It is incredibly empowering to know that your future is in your hands.” Keanu Reeves (Actor, musician).
Travelers, also a Local Combat Veteran…
March 23rd, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
We were working the other day at Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida on a Saturday and this car drives up and a disheveled man and women gets out and walk over and ask if this is the place, they just might be able to get some food? The night before we had extra food left over from the Celebration of Life for our friend and one of VAOI founders Charlene Pelland and we stopped at the Blessed Sacrament church event and picked up the left-over food that was donated by the Knights of Columbus. We thought as hungry they looked, we would invite them in and have a bite.
As we sat there, we learned that the man had served a few years with the Army National Guard in Idaho and the women had a father that served in Vietnam and came back really messed up. The multiple deployments of the man sitting before us has taken its toll on him and both were just trying to get through the day. We were pleased that we could sit and have a meal with them and we loaded them up with a few food boxes to take on their way. I noticed that both of them smoked when we got out to their car to load them up and I started to think about all the folks that come in for food and some of them, obviously a little tipsy on something or smokers. Well getting back to our couple, we sent them on their way on the way to Washington hoping for a better life! Sure, do hope they make it!!
I was thinking the other day, why do some of our poor that are struggling to make ends meet spend money on cigarettes, alcohol, MJ, or even lottery tickets. These all appear to be unnecessary and extravagant, then I realized these items offer a brief moment of relief, obviously at a cost but might offer a short flight from the realities of poverty…
Then I reflected on our military and the men/women that have deployed into war zones and are subject to some of the most violent and horrible atrocities of conflict and understand more about their need to escape the flashbacks or the reality of their war wounds. I really believe that there are times those that have been to war zones and have seen some of the worst that we humans inflict on each other need to find coping mechanisms and hopefully some healthy alternatives to what many of us have done and are doing.
We all need to understand a little more about the mind set of veterans that have served in combat. We need to understand because they are our neighbors.
Now that I have mentioned neighbors: I know that some of you know Jerome (Jay) Goettsch, a local artist of great talent. You might not know it but he has written a book called “The Cocoa Kid” and it is a memoir of Marine Combat in Vietnam. His book will give you more of an insight as to the realities of war and life in general. It is an exciting book that not only talks about war but he has included some on his childhood, bootcamp, surviving the mean streets of Chicago and the time he was kidnapped, beaten and tortured in Milwaukee at 12 years old. I have had the pleasure of him sharing some of his chapters as he was writing them and I will say his talent of writing a story is a work of art, like his ability to paint an artwork on canvas that explodes with emotion and creativity. His writing he has said: Is not an embellishment of the truth and is to tell it how it happened. He has also kept the language as it was used at the time, so be warned. The book is scheduled to premiere on Amazon. So, if all goes as planned, I will be writing more about it once I actually get it in my hands and see and read the finished product. The book is 299 pages with 83 photos and an 8-page glossary. This will be a book that each in our community should read, especially if the preview chapters that I have already read are any indication of its quality. I hope our local library and schools will add it to their shelves.
Remember the stories I write in the above article are about folks in our community, whether they are passing through or a neighbor. Listen and understand those around us, learn.
“Understanding comes through communication, and through understanding we find the way to peace.” Dr Ralph Smedely (founder of Toastmasters International).
Blending into Civilian Life…
March 9th , 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Most of us when joining the military, were young, naïve and not prepared for service life. Amazing, years later when we decide to transition back to civilian life, we are somewhat in the same position. Might say a little different for some of us in the sense that we are now older or old, naïve and not prepared!!!
This does not have to be the case, at all. You can actually prepare for the transition and make it quite smooth if you plan. And if you don’t your problems will multiply and be out of control. I know because I am one that did not plan. I wanted to get out so fast when I came back from Vietnam, it was a blur and still is in some cases a blur.
Now this article was inspired by a local combat veteran that served several deployments over the last few years and an old veteran from back in my time. Both of these veterans did not plan ahead and both are suffering the consequences of no planning. The old guy has learned the hard way throughout the years on how to get by and I found out also by hard knocks on how to navigate civilian life, somewhat. I have learned that even I and he will be able to get more help now through different organizations and Veteran Service Offices to navigate civilian life. Now the youngster of the group will be using both of us as mentors letting him know what not to do!
Yep, the other day I addressed about 125 veterans up at SRCI and I was thinking about the additional challenges that these veterans will be having blending back into civilian life. I was invited by Matt Galemore Correctional Councilor at the request of the Incarcerated Veteran Association headed by President Steven Hyppolite.. I got to meet Matt’s boss Sara Eastwood Correctional Rehabilitation Manager and the VSO Pat McGuffin Incarcerated Veteran Coordinator, all dedicated with helping the veterans up at SRCI meet the challenges of incarceration and also with the VA rules and the preparation back to civilian life.
I have to admit that I was very impressed with the veteran group that was there filling the Chapel for this meeting. President Hyppolite opened the program and the Color Guard snapped into action with the presenting of the colors. Everyone was sharp and the room came to attention respecting each of our branches of service, POW and our Nations flag was impressive. When the Pledge of Allegiance was recited it was with Love and passion, I was moved by the opening of this meeting. Then Steven Hyppolite presented award certificates to Matt, Sara, Pat and Mike Vokral the Lead Recreation Specialist. When the meeting commenced and I had my chance to speak about what help we have in Ontario for our veterans and their families. I also spoke about the support of food boxes, counseling, and what we are doing here in our community. I was surprised at their reaction, by the questions on how they might help us, as individuals or as a group. They even talked about sending us books that they were finished reading. I, of course, suggested that when they rearranged the furniture out there in their rooms that we would be happy to take the leftovers! I thought that the stainless-steel furnishings would be enjoyed by the civilians on the outside. I certainly got a chuckle out of that suggestion!!! Great group of veterans.
I know that many in that room that I was talking with were there because of PTSD or because of the challenges that they had in the transitioning back into civilian life. Well, I am here to tell you that the team SRCI has, supporting our veterans that are incarcerated are top notch and I tip my hat to Warden Jamie Miller for putting together a great team for our veterans and for the institution as a whole. As a side note: this facility trains the Adults in Custody (AIC) with a metal shop, woodworking shop, building trades program and other skills that prepares these men for a better life on the outside.
I am always amazed that for many of us, including those that are transitioning from military life to civilian or civilian to the military or even from the justice system, hope and attitude are the two factors that are so important in the greater scheme of things. Planning ahead works best but even without it, attitude gives you a leg up!
“They teach you how to weather the storm, but they don’t teach you how to dance in the rain.” Veterans’ Perspectives on the Pathways to Criminal Justice Involvement, by Kelli Canada and Clark Peters.
Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida, where we are dedicated to giving back to veterans and their families. Our organization provides a wide range of support services.
Local Support for Active Duty and Veterans…
February 25th, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Local organizations supporting Veterans and their families in some interesting ways. I will not be mentioning all of the organizations or all of the ways they help because not all responded to my inquires. But here are some that did and others that have been brought to my attention.
The Elks Lodge 1690 is one of the tops in the field of support and they make it a point to get the word out and notify the veterans when they are having special events, such as honoring veterans with a dinner each year. Be on the outlook for the dates. Flag day is another one of their special days that they step up and have members of our local American Legion Post teach our community about flag etiquette and then have local Boy/Girl groups participate in the ceremonies. They have, in the past had a fishing tournament that welcomed veterans go out on donated boats for a day of fishing and they are thinking about starting that up again! Rudy Marostica was the spearhead for that project but passed away and others are now getting things together to continue that very important project.
If you are into Bingo then why not take a trip over to Vale, American Legion Post 96 and check out their exciting game, every week Sun at 2PM. Please go out and make a day of it for the support of a wonderful group of folks that are doing great things for veterans in the Vale area!
Another American Legion Post 33 located in Payette that puts on a great breakfast every month on the first Saturday that is open for all veteran and their families and friends. They even have spaghetti dinners from time to time benefiting the State of Idaho DAVA and the Legion Post 33.
Of course, we have many other Posts like the Legion Hall here in Ontario that hold two Bingos a week and also free coffee at the Post on Wednesday’s. That Veteran Hall is home to the American Legon Post 67, VFW Post 5452 and the DAV Post 18.
Then right down the street in Ontario is the Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida (VAO) that is open 5 days a week for coffee, snacks and has a Thrift Stor every day, a wonderful Museum with local veterans and families represented. VAOI also has a food bank feeding those veterans that are hungry. You might even run into Tracy that introduced us to the Vietnam Veterans of America that helps veterans in need locally and are located in Meridian. If you are a Vietnam Veteran you might look into the things that they do for Veterans in need.
I did not purposely put phone numbers, times and ALL the things that these organizations do because I think that if you are really interested , you would make the effort to look up the information and get the straight scoop from the horse’s mouth. Just thought that this might grab your interest and get involved with one or many of these places and know that every day there is something going on that support veterans and their families. All you have to do is make an effort.
Some cost money some don’t, so enjoy your hunt.
I am amazed at the Payette Senior Center and the many activities that are specific support for our veteran community. New Plymouth, Ontario and Vale Senior Centers might be of interest.
I recommend that you look into some of these because you deserve a better life and you just might help others along the way.
In the military, most of us have had to consciously accept or appreciate something that is extremely unpleasant but unavoidable for forward progression, so my quote below and comments sum-up the past and everything else is part of the cure.
Finding purpose and spirit as you make the calls and find a place or places from the above article might make up for your loss of innocence. Many of us lost that virtue called innocence when we joined the service and were deployed to war zones or to places that forced us to grow-up beyond our young age. Growing up and learning values and then being trained that killing the enemy in combat is righteous. I think that we come back with some of those demons and all these organizations might bring you a little joy and just knowing that there are people who care and really understand what some of us are going through and many have tools in place to help us here and now! The quote below might bring back a smile but also a reason to seek a place above.
“Embrace The Suck” verb, military slang.
My Greatest Honor…
January 28th, 2024 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
In all my 80+ years my greatest honor that I have had is in the service of my Country. Not one civilian that has not served knows the heart and soul of what it means to serve. Every day 24/7 our military folks put their lives on the line for us all. I would also think that our 1st responders have a similar honor of service.
Still, the sacrifice of duty in our military has a place that every single person should learn. Every person in our Nation even the rabblerousers, demagogues, liberals, conservatives, atheists and believers including hypocrites and the list goes on should understand the oath that each of us take that have served. ‘Service before self’ is a phrase that everyone of us understand that even before family, the call to duty takes precedence and might mean the ultimate sacrifice.
Think about the words that every branch of service lives by, each and every day, such as ‘duty, honor, Country’ or ‘Always Faithful’ or ‘Not self, but Country’ are but a few of the words. However, it is not the words but the actions and the oath that puts every single one on the line of defending our Country, and defending our freedoms of each and every one of us.
I was reading an article the other day on www.veteranadvocates.orgwebsite entitled: “Most Americans respect vets but wouldn’t recommend enlisting” and I find it interesting that many in our Country hold us in high regard in the abstract but have bought into the fake news of the different stereotypes that folks think about service-members.
Maybe I should not be that surprised, considering the super gullibility that seems to be everywhere. Folks all around believe lies that are bandied about by both sides of the aisle, and if they don’t actually believe them, they talk themselves into being puppets for the lies and that creates a huge problem, for our Nation and for the recruitment of our future military.
There are many folks that are conned everyday and I am saddened by the fact that it is becoming more difficult to tell the difference between the real facts and the what is presented as truth, of which is a real lie. I have been fooled and I am sure that I will be again.
Even our government posters for our military show a rosier picture than actual reality.
Amazing that with the advent of the digital age the speed of the twisted word! The most intelligent and educated are fooled because of their ability to rationalize the information to conform to their viewpoints. Critical thinking is a way that we might work ourselves out of this but that is going to take time. Do we have that time?
I started this article with a simple statement of ‘My Greatest Honor’ and then got a little sidetracked as I started to think about the greater picture of our Nation, and the perception of our military. Still, I say that even with all the lies, misconceptions, wars, conflicts, mistreatment and fighting for the services that we deserve after service, I and most of my comrades that have served will still say that the ‘Greatest Honor has been in the service of our Country.
Most of us that have served, know that we did the right thing by serving the greater good for our Nation and people.
It is also important to note that the ‘Honor’ to serve goes deep, because some of us have given our life or limbs for a comrade that we served with. So, when you read this, think about your job, your family and your loved ones and you tell me how anyone might say that our military is not the place we should be encouraging our youth to serve.
I believe that it is our duty to serve for the greater good of our Nation. Think about the fact that there is a common greater goal that melts all these service-members together that come from different walks of life and we work together as one. Some might call this a shared destiny! That certainly food for thought.
Walking into Grocery Outlet the other day I was moved by the military family that approached me and mentioned the pride they have when they read this column about military issues. I thank the Argus for allowing the space and the many other articles about our veterans and military families.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan.
Chaos is Here- New Year is Coming!!
Dec 31st, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
I say that, in general, today’s generation of U. S. Americans are the most coddled and are stuck in a digital world. We have in the past, united together as a people around Wars after we were attacked at Pearl Harbor and then again after 9/11. Our Nation came together to support our troops after WWII and we were strong. As Afghanistan dragged on, I do not think the same thing happened. I do not think that our Nation came out stronger, especially after we invaded Iraq and the search for weapons of mass destruction. I believe we came out of all of this divided like we have never been since the Civil War.
The Civil War had a clear fight between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America. The results of that war ended with the United States defeating the Confederate States. That division still is in the hearts of many today and I think that we are in a similar place today with the division of Americans at each other’s throats.
Unfortunately, our Military and the VA is caught up in the fight and suffer. Think of this in the lens of a veteran that has served, gets out and then is denied benefits for a service-connected disability. Amazing that it takes over 50 years plus to address some of our issues. Of course, some of us are dead or in such a condition that we are shunned in our own neighborhoods by some of our other citizens that look at us and see the ragged clothes and not the warrior that served to keep them free.
Our Congress is the same way, not looking at the core of our problem but looking at a way that will look like they care. They pass the Pact Act and wonder why some of us are bitter, at the same time we appreciate that many of us will now get the care we need.
The division in our Nation and the fact that our youth, in general, are more informed because of the digital age as to the treatment of our troops when they come home. You add that together with the statement from our Department of Defense saying that over 70% of our youth are ineligible due to physical and mental health problems, fat and using drugs.
Yes, it makes a difference how we treat our military and, in my articles, titled ‘Less Than 1% is Serving” and “ My Personal Experiences” I go into more of what is happening on the ground.
You might wonder how we might solve these issues and the answer is quite simple. We elect more people that actually think, and represent us, not a ‘lock-step’ diehard. We get back to the basics of listening and learn that compromise is not a four-letter word. We treat our military and those that come back with full support if we are going to continue. We are the world’s most dominant economic and military power. That means we need to have our priorities in order, and to do that we need to stop the partisan divide and concentrate on the simple solution, listening.
Listening to our veterans is core, because without our military we will not be the greatest and without Congress getting its act together in governing finding recruits to volunteer and serve will be a moot point. Following up on my article the other day regarding my treatment applying for benefits. Yes, I was denied benefits for the injury sustained in Vietnam and have suffered since then. When I requested them to show me the paperwork of my getting turned down, they came up with very little… they said I was turned down in 1970 the same month I was discharged. Yep, they then reopened my case and I am sure will find a way to wait me out… I believe that while most find the system to be accommodating there are some of us that are treated like muck, and because of that, our government wonders why they can’t get volunteers to sign up and serve!
New Year is coming and I can not help to wonder where some of our troops are right now, knowing that they will not be home with their family. Might even find out that maybe in defending and serving our Nation they might be wounded or killed while we are here in the comfort of our homes.
Yes, how we treat our veterans when they come back, if they come back, should be a top priority. Our vote at the ballet box might make a difference!!!
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.” George Nathan (magazine editor).
Congress Might Learn from a Local Incarcerated Veteran…
Dec 17th, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
I believe some in Congress are working to destroy our military and our Nation. I do hope that those that stand on their own two feet will have the guts to stand-up to the few that are destroying what we have as a Country that still is the greatest in the world. When the few that are causing this disruption think they are going to lose some votes, or power, they give and fold on their moral fight. They don’t even have the guts to follow through. I believe that if Tuberville really had resolve, he would be fighting hard for what he was paid to do. He would be serving our Nation and fighting for our rights, not taking them away. He caved recently on part of his stand, but I think that no one person should be able to put our Nation’s military at risk of having a negative impact on our readiness. It is going to take a long time to unwind from this one. Congress is in turmoil and ‘We the People’ are sitting on our hands letting many of our elected officials make a mockery of our constitution, laws and we sit back and play partisan politics with our freedoms.
So, with Congress in turmoil and the system bonkers I would say that one saving grace to all of this is the fact that the Boise VA, Caldwell Clinic and most the folks that I have come in contact with on the front lines of health services through the VA have been top in their field and probably some of the best in our Nation serving our local veterans’ health needs. I do not hold all of the VA or many in Congress to that high esteem. The Western Treasure Valley and the veterans that live here are fortunate to be close to one of the best Health Systems for our veterans, that also is without total agreement by many. Unfortunately, a few of us have suffered from poor experiences. The system is big, and that in itself makes it very difficult to manage and that always leaves room for errors. That is why I right this column and why I write about my personal experiences, because if more citizens know how each of us are treated while we are in the service and our treatment after our service then we just might get the legislature to fix what is broken and know what is working. It makes sense that with the backbone of our Nation, our military, is not cared for then all the rest is moot.
A few weeks ago, I went to a Christmas parade here in Ontario and noticed that as the parade passed by my mind wandered to a Christmas tree that we put together in Vietnam. We had shell casings, barbed wire, empty cans of food, we also hung some electrical wire and some pieces of things we found around the hootch. We drank 33Beer and I still remember thinking that the rumors of it containing formaldehyde were true, the taste was that bad, but it did the trick. Still, I had it much better than most of the troops in ‘Nam, I was Air Force.
I was up visiting with some of the Adults in Custody at the Snake River Correctional Facility. Talking with an incarcerated Army veteran about his getting out in about 10 months and he mentioned his game-plan: “of finding something much greater than himself to support so that he might live up to his greatest potential”. Seems like I heard that before and is part of my own philosophy of a good life. It certainly worked for me and I know that with an attitude like that he will make on the outside, just fine. I think if his words were to be heard in Congress, maybe our elected officials might learn something from this man that had many years under his belt to think and ponder the meaning of life itself.
By the way that event, SRCI Presents: Senior Holiday Luncheon at the prison was sponsored by the Incarcerated Veterans Association headed up by its President Steven Hyppolite and members, they also gave a short presentation by video. The event would not have been possible without the SRCI Food Service Managers and staff, SRCI Senior Luncheon Planning Committee, SRCM AIC Volunteers: Kitchen, Ushers, Servers, Clean-up, Photographers, SRCI Staff Choir and the SRCM AIC Choir. I thank Superintendent Jamie Miller for making this happen!
“…jail is not cool. Education is.” Ja Rule.
Less Than 1% Are Serving...
December 3rd, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Worth repeating this Holiday Season: Don’t coddle us. Understand the terrors and the sacrifices that some have made so we are able to live in peace.
You would think that with so few of us around it would be easy for our Nation to give us the respect and the tools to take care of ourselves after we have served. Yep! You would think that would be a priority?
What I see is a Country that has looked at our military with an eye for cutting costs, budget cuts and using us for pawns in a political arena of clowns and chaos.
You might think I am bitter? I am: because I live the system that our Congress and the VA has carved out of all their fenagling and what we end up with is a mess for some of us. Trying to pinpoint a place to go that would answer my questions or make the process easy to maneuver is somewhat of a challenge in the best of times. Dealing with an ‘Over Burdened Bureaucracy’ is just overwhelming at any time!
Unfortunately, both of these organizations are sluggish and with the top-down power structure and fraught with rules that some of the very folks within the system are crushed. Initiative certainly seems like a liability in Congress and the VA and we all deserve better. Having served in the Air Force, the only mechanism that might pull these organizations out of the tailspin they are in is to pull their heads out first and just maybe they might be able to fly right and soar above the muck!!
I was in the DAV office at the VA campus in Boise the other day sitting next to a wounded warrior that had lost his legs. His attitude was upbeat and had a smile that was infectious. We got to talking and learned that he was there on a mission of getting benefits that were turned down repeatedly over the years for health problems that he sustained in Vietnam over 50 years ago. I was also there for a health problem sustained in Vietnam and we compared notes. Amazing that after all these years both of us still were able to smile and patiently fill out the same forms, answer the same questions repeatedly that the bureaucracy asks, information they already have, probably thinking that we both will be dead or give up trying and they will then say, we did our best.
I am pleased that I have served our Nation and will do it again in a heartbeat, if needed. That does not mean I will take the crap that is given to me to endure when navigating the VA and roll over. What I ask is for every veteran to be cared for if they need care or receive benefits that we have earned without the red tape.
The military has changed throughout the years taking on more responsibility than ever before and we are doing more with less. Without us our Nation would fall. We are the core that keeps watch when the 99% of the population that are not serving, is sleeping in peace.
Most don’t get the fact that when you serve you join a unique group of folks that understand that ‘FREEDOM’ is a costly endeavor that, in some cases, destroys the body and mind and is a price paid to keep our Nation whole.
I was riding in a parade the other day on a float and other veterans were throwing candy to the children in this parade that was to honor our veterans. I thought that the candy being thrown by the veterans to the civilians was backwards! Shouldn’t the children and civilians be throwing candy to us. We are the ones that deserve the sweets for serving! Just a thought.
If you happen to know of a disabled veteran that lives in your neighborhood, why not help with raking some leaves or shoveling their driveway if covered in snow? Support a military family or/and veteran by volunteering at one of the support organizations that help veterans. Why not bake a pie and bring it over to a neighbor-veteran or into an organization that supports veterans so they might share. If you have a business, host a lunch for all your veterans and recognize their service to your company and country. If you quilt, you know the smiles on the face of a veteran that you give it to.
Honoring the veteran and service-members in our community is a good thing to do for your soul and heart. Give it a try.
“The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.” Thomas Campbell (Scottish poet, lyricist and balladist)
My Personal Experience
November 19th, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
I share with you today my experience that occurs all to often in applying for benefits for service-connected injuries.
You would think that the military would have at its fingertips all the records and would be calling me up to let me know that I would have some benefits coming to me for injuries sustained. I certainly would think that even though I was not a combat, boots on the ground grunt, I would think that the VA system would think, of me as a person that deserved all that I would be entitled to without me having to prove I was still in pain. That is not the case and what actually happened is after 50 years of varying degrees of pain I thought I would see if the VA would compensate me a little for suffering all these years.
They never called me to let me know if I might be able to get additional benefits, but found out that I needed to fill out forms describing when I was injured, the surgery that occurred in the service, then prove to them that I deserve benefits. I thought that my military records from Vietnam would be proof enough. Clearly that would not be enough. The VA sent me a nice letter letting me know that I would have to appear before a third party contracted by the VA to be interrogated and drilled with questions. Do you know how demeaning and small a person feels knowing that your future benefits are in the hands of a person that you will have seen this one time? Cold and humiliating and whether or not I get these benefits is not the point of this column. The purpose is to let the civilian population know that all service members that serve need to know that they are respected for their service and should be treated with total dignity and not put through a ringer. My contact at this meeting mentioned that his questions and this meeting would be an examination of the records that I have submitted to the VA and that no other records that I brought with me would be reviewed and he would not be able to accept any that I brought with me.
The interview started with him not being able to access any of my records, he was having trouble with his computer. He never had access to any of my records during the whole time and eventually looked at some of my records that I brought with me regarding recent physical therapy and took some notes off of them, then handed them back. Not once did he have access to my records, so we never discussed my records, not once and the main purpose of the meeting was not accomplished, sorry state of affairs.
I am sure the person that interviewed me thought the respect was shown, the courtesies given and the questions were righteous. I am also sure his report will show all the ‘t’s crossed and ‘i’s’ dotted. The numbers will probably appear what a great job this company is doing to help whittle the claim numbers down. The statistics will look great. The reality of the process and my experience will be hidden from view.
I am sure that the VA will be able to pat itself on the back and say it has done what’s right for our military members. The Congress can say that they also have helped our veterans. A ‘great job all the way around’. Yep, everyone is pleased except the veteran that has served our Country (me). I have to jump through hoops (making sure I follow all the rules) to beg for benefits in a system that is made up of folks that don’t have to follow their own policies. I wondered why some of our veterans had a bitter taste in their mouths. Now I know why they don’t want to reapply for benefits. I understand first-hand, the consternation, sweat blood and tears of a system that does not work as smoothly as one would think.
My care at the Boise/Caldwell VA Health Care System is a much different matter than my experience in my applying for these benefits. In that system they have treated me with respect, professionalism and made me feel like I was a very important person, and my health care has been excellent. The VA is not all bad.
What I am pointing out today is the system that has places in it that need fixing.
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” George Washington.
Help for Suicide, Homelessness and Hunger…Today!
November 5th, 2023, Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Everyday some of our veterans their families and others in our community are facing a food crisis, being homeless or contemplating suicide or some other issue. Help is everywhere and also nowhere. The mental state of the person in crisis is, at times to the point that rational thinking is not at the forefront of their minds. That is where you come in. Each of us has the ability to help. You just have to take the effort to open your eyes or take the time to listen. Too busy? Yep, there are organizations that can help those people in need. The government has money, and you are much too busy spending a few minutes of the day when you’re tired and just want to watch your favorite TV program. You worked hard all day and you deserve a well-deserved break. The reasons for not helping are vast and some are righteous. Folks in need generally grasp why you don’t want to help. Some will suffer on the streets, maybe kill themselves or the child in need of food might go hungry for the night.
All the numbers to call for help are advertised. All this help out there and you wonder why folks are still in need? Did you ever think that, just maybe if you stopped and listened to your neighbor, or coworker or even the person in front of you at the check out line that looked a little distraught and maybe just needed a smile. You might be able to help in a small way if you would take a little time in your day to listen to a story.
I listened to a story the other day that was from a veteran that came back from deployment, he was with the National Guard and when he came back, he was not able to confide in his wife (she was too busy) about his experience of horror that he could not get out of his mind. He had trouble playing with his kids and he was being torn apart with guilt of coming back and others that did not. I listened and then we made a call to the hotline that I pulled up on the front page of www.veteranadvocates.org . I had forgotten the new number but remembered really quick when I saw it!!! It is ‘988’ and then press ‘1’ for the veteran crisis line. I don’t know how far this veteran might go with the help available but I do know that he might have a chance now that he has a place to start. I didn’t do much but listen and make a little suggestion. He will take it from here. Each of us have the ability to help with some very serious problems if we took the time. Please take a little time. Please.
Our Federal Government including Congress, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veteran Affairs and all the agencies with impressive sounding names have programs to help with suicides, homeless and even hunger but none of these will really work unless the entire community is on board. The vital part of helping each other comes down to each of us doing a little something. So, if one of us drops the ball and doesn’t do their fair share then others have to do more.
I believe the sobering numbers of folks that need help are there because of the fact that others that might be helping are much too busy to be involved.
We have come a long way in understanding how to help each other, now we just have to put into practice the power of each of us contributing to the strength of the whole. Amazing the power of numbers!
Our community has the power to stamp out hunger, suicide and homelessness and be an inspiration for others. Maybe my thought process might be too bold right now. If we wait for the right time it will never come with all the stars aligned in perfect harmony. So, today is a good day to start. What do you think?
Yes, each of us have the power, so the next time a hand is offered, wouldn’t it be better with others helping to make the load lighter? Sure, makes sense to me.
“Heroes didn’t leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn’t wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else’s. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.” Jodi Picoult (American author).
The Draft: Three Stories, One Nation.
October 22nd, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Throughout the years I had the opportunity to interview some interesting individuals. Some have made the decision that military service was not for them. Here are two that decided the Vietnam War draft was not their cup of tea and what they thought of that decision today. My interest in talking with them was to find out how they perceived the Vietnam War and how they perceive things now and did they think they made a mistake.
These folks were called everything from conscientious objector, conchie, peacenik, nonviolent, war-hater, draft dodger: depending on the intent on the person using words to describe the person that decided they would not serve.
1st interviewed- now 82 years old, a husband, father & grandfather. No longer working living on SS and a meager savings - still does not own his home but will in 3 years.
One of his biggest regrets for escaping the draft is not being able to be the son his parents could respect & rely upon, for he feels that decision turned his life into only a fraction of what it could have been.
Having to constantly be in an undercover/underground situation depleted his incentive to educate and enhance himself, totally depleted his earning potential and erased his longing to become a husband and raise a family.
It wasn’t until the onset of middle age and falling in love with a very strong wife that his life started to become meaningful, productive and worth building a future for. In this realization he saw his error, well here is his quote: “I realized the importance of living free in a country that offered and afforded free choice and respect of democratic principles. This helped me to recover some dignity and raise a family built upon love, dignity, education and respect for others.”
“Can’t undo the decision I made early in life but maybe others could learn from my recklessness and my uneducated thoughts”.
The second interview I would like to share is a man 79 years old, a family man with many children & grandchildren. Presently retired from 20 years with one company. Did well later in life investing in Equities and real estate and is living very well with retirement, social security and investments.
Put all his children through college though a few had Academic Scholarships.
Through this day today he believes he did the right thing in not only evading the draft, but demonstrating and organizing events against sending anybody to war. He believes also to this day that hundreds of millions of people in the world are also against people fighting in wars. He points to not only the lives and livelihoods that have been destroyed and/or lost, but to the poor, broken and unresolved outcomes wars have spawned.
I certainly have partaken in some interesting conversations over the years with folks that decided that the military was not for them, even when Uncle Sam called their number. During the Vietnam War era, from 1964- 1973, 2.2 million American men were called to serve. Some that got that call decided to seek a deferment of some type or just not show up and leave town. However, they decided back then, their future was changed.
Today I write about two men that did not serve and they both ended up with interesting stories and what they think now. I am sure you might know of someone that avoided the draft and the stories might also have some interesting twists to them.
The military draft ended 50 years ago and it divided a generation. Today our Nation is again divided. Amazing: most of us managed to live in a type of harmony for many years, we then disagree in a violent way that tears the core, soul and very democracy of our Nation.
This last story is about the last Active Duty, enlisted draftee retiring. I did not interview him but gathered his story from the website of www.veteranadvocates.org. Command Sargent-Major Jeffrey Mellinger was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972, during the Nixon/Vietnam era. He was, according to the Army records was the last draftee remaining on active duty without a break in service after serving for nearly forty years.
Mellinger said on his retirement: “he could not think of any work that could be more personally satisifing on a daily basis then serving our Nation”.
His awards are too numinous to list here but during his service, he received a Defense Superior Medal, two Legions of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, eight Meritorious Service Medals and many other campaign and service metals.
Today he also volunteers with the nonprofit Veteran organizations House of Heroes and Warrior Outreach.
“Freedom is never free.” Anonymous.
No Taxpayer Money Involved…
October 8th, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
I would find it amusing if it were not so sad that some in our community don’t understand that the food that we are handing out to feed our veterans is coming from donations right here in our community. We do not get help from the Federal Government in our food program and we are not taking tax dollars to help veterans in need or their families. I almost fell on the floor the other day when I was approached by one of our local citizens telling me how much it is costing our government to feed our local veterans and their families in need. They actually thought that our Federal Government is the support for local food programs and it is easy for our veterans to get help. I am here to tell you that without local assistance we would see many of our veterans and their families struggle to make ends meet each month.
Many of our veterans don’t qualify for SNAP (food stamps) for whatever reason and I am not here to dig into the veterans’ head or question why they don’t get SNAP. What I am here to do is help a veteran that is asking for assistance.
When we hand out bags of food that will feed children of our veteran families the look on the faces of the parents is priceless. Yes, we hand out food for adults, but it is the kids that really touch the heart. Of course, when a National Guard person is helped or a veteran comes in hurting for food our hearts are also affected. Yes, we hand out foodstuffs for families that are not connected to the military when the need is recognized. Some are refuges or immigrants here from different Nations at war. I was talking with one of those families and the husband was helping with interpretation for our military in one of the war zones. They are here in our community because the family feared for their lives back home after the US pulled out of his town and he then knew that staying there would not be a healthy choice for him and his family. They did not want me to use their names or Country they are from; they just needed a little food to help them out. Good people, working at low paying jobs trying to make ends meet. Each of the families have a story and some in need are living next to you in our community. Some have been your neighbors for years and are struggling to make mortgage payments, electric bills, insurance, etc. and they just need a little help to get them through a tough time.
The folks that fly off the handle with ‘facts’ that are far from the truth do such a disservice to our community and should make an effort to actually get the real story before opening their mouths.
I am sure I am not alone to say that I have run with something that was not correct. Yes, there are times, but we should all have the sense to correct that misstatement of facts.
I hope that the information about how some of food pantries in the area operate getting local assistance and where the food is going helps some understand that it is truly a homegrown effort of folks assisting each other and not the over reach of big government.
Now I want to address an issue about our elected officials. Do you think that some of our elected officials are unbending. I believe that there are some that seem to fall under that definition of being inflexible. Do you think that this is a good thing for our Nation? Since decisions of our welfare are at stake, I would think we would want someone that would
be flexible and take the path that would interact with our nation’s safety and betterment. I certainly would not want a person that was inflexible to be representing me. Doing the right thing might mean sacrificing their own short-term interests to benefit society. I would want an official that has a flexible mind that has our nation, military, community and each of us in focus and the wisdom to use all the knowledge he/she has and have the wisdom and guts to make decisions that are not on party lines but are the right thing to do.
I thought both parts of this column were timely to consider today.
“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” Charles Spurgeon.
Revisiting ‘Restrepo’…
September 24th, 2023 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
One platoon, one valley, one year. Not that long ago one of our own deployed to Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. Sgt. Joshua Brennan (2nd Battalion, 503rdAirborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Combat Team) was only one of an elite group that fought in the Korengal Valley. Our government (we) sent Josh and others to fight for the USA and this documentary (Restrepo) is a description of what happened and the death of PFC Juan Sebastián Restrepo, the platoon medic who was killed in action and the other men that died, fought and why we need to remember each one that we deployed. It makes no difference whether you agreed with the war or not, your vote, or your lack of a vote at the ballet box made the difference as to who is pulling the strings of our men/women that are part of our military.
The film starts off with describing the beginning of a 15-month deployment of the men of the Second Platoon, Battle Company in the Korengal Valley of Eastern Afghanistan. It could have been about a place in Vietnam, Europe, Africa, Asia or any other place we have sent our men/women to fight for us. This particular story is about the men involved in Operation Rock Avalanche. If you don’t see any other movie or you’re not a fan of the big screen please force yourself to watch this one because, if you are of voting age, you are partially responsible for what our government does and did back a few years ago.
Our Congress, our administration and the ones we send to represent us are responsible for what happened. Most of us here at home, in the Western Treasure Valley are cooking dinner, enjoying family, splashing in the pool and generally oblivious to the horrors that our military endures, each and every day. We are arguing about our differences of the political party we are in or issues that keep us divided. We drop the ball on the core of our Nation that keeps us free: our Military. I submit to you my take on what is an example of disrespect of our military: U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is single handily holding up military promotions and, in my opinion, putting our military preparedness at risk. Why are the rest of Congress (including some of our own) not standing up and screaming. My opinion is: no guts and no brains. Our military should NOT be used as pawns for other issues.
Now getting back to this documentary and its importance: it brings home why veteran support organizations are a significant part of what each of us should support. I know that when you are tending your gardens you are not thinking about what our military is doing at that moment, but think about what you would be doing if they were not doing it?! They are watching our backs, right now. The least we can do is to support them and care for them when they need support.
Joshua was killed in a Taliban ambush in the Korengal Valley (one of the deadliest places on earth- at that time). Joshua was only 22 and he was the team leader and was from Ontario. His team was ambushed by the Taliban on the final day of Operation Rock Avalanche. Spc. Hugo V. Mendoza was killed and later Brennan died of his wounds. Staff Sgt Salvatore Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor for his recognition of acts above and beyond the call of duty for that day and all of the men deserve our respect. We all need to take a look at our government and make sure the priorities are in the right order.
Yes, Sgt. Joshua Brennan fought for us and died doing what he loved. I remember when he came home one time and asked if our community really cared about those deployed? Many in our community stepped up to the plate and started to send packages of goodies and started a real effort to show that support for our troops deployed. We even sent pencils and pens so that our troops deployed could give them out to the school children in the villages. That helped gain the support of some of the Afghanistan people and our warriors received information that in a few cases saved the lives of our troops. Amazing what kindness can do, even in a war.
Think about our Military and the many operations that our military have preformed and the men/women in our community that have fought in those many campaigns for us. Then go back to your garden and pray that we do not forget about why you need to remember that “Freedom is Not Free”.
“Better to die on one’s feet than to live on one’s knees.” Jean Paul Sartre (existentialist and philosopher).
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