The more I think about and hear about these guys taking a knee and people being upset about it, the more I realize that its a non-issue. People yell and scream about it being "disrespectful" to the military and where I agree with it being a disrespect, I can also respect their decision and their FREEDOM to protest. I think the Cowboys did it best, taking one in unity and then standing for the anthem - But that's not what I came here to vent about.
I came here to vent about the fact that we (society) are so wrapped up in saying "its disrespectful to the military and those who have fought" - You want to know what is disrespectful....The heath care that we have set aside for these men and women coming home. The Government made it to where a veteran can walk in to any office and get care due to the sad state of our VA system. What they dont tell you is the fight it takes to get care, to get reimbursed and to even at times be seen.
Two instances in the last year have made me look long and hard at how horrible the Veterans insurance is. Two times, my husband...A COMBAT MEDIC VETERAN who saved multiple lives and served for more than a decade, has been either questioned or turned away for medical care. Once he was bleeding from his face after getting hit with a 2x4 and had no less than THREE walk in clinics turn him away because "They didnt take VA". Finally on the fourth attempt, he had a doctor spot him and take him in, while he discussed payment with the front desk with a rag on his face. Yesterday, we go to see an orthopedic because he cannot lift his arm or turn his neck and where this office went above and beyond to see if he was covered, we were told that he was "Out of Network" and had to pay out of pocket. I cannot help but think about Vets who are less fortunate and don't have $500 to pay a doctor upfront for medical care. They would have been turned away without help or left to find care in the hopes that they can get an appointment and get pain free.
You want to bring awareness? You want to be angry about some overpaid kids taking a knee in protest? You want to cry that its UnAmerican and Disrespectful to our Military, active or retired...Then Whine. The biggest injustice that I see is that our brothers in arms are being sent abroad to fight and die, and those that come home...Come home to FIGHT and DIE. If that's not UN-American, I dont know what is. #hugavet #veteranhealthcaresucks