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Jumping the Relationship Gun
Dear Annie: Last month, an old boyfriend contacted me. I hadn't seen "Bud" in 30 years. We had a wonderful conversation. I visited him at his home. He even sent me a large sum of money to help pay off a mortgage bill. We now talk at least …Read more.
Trusting Cheaters
Dear Annie: I'm in my early 20s and have been dating "Aidan" for a year. He attends college two hours away. He doesn't socialize much and stresses a lot about his grades. His only real friend is "Cara," a girl we went to high …Read more.
Bare Naked Mommies
Dear Annie: I am becoming excessively annoyed by a new trend I'm seeing with my friends who have recently become parents — the "naked mommy."
I'm 27 and have not yet had children. Several of my friends are having their second or …Read more.
The Long Trip to Tenuous
Dear Annie: My father and I have never had the best relationship. He was domineering, controlling and verbally abusive to me as a teenager, and as a result, I rebelled and did things specifically to irritate him. Several times, he kicked me out of …Read more.
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National Salute to Veteran Patients
Dear Annie: Among my joys as President Barack Obama's Secretary of Veterans Affairs is the chance to see the expressions of gratitude from Americans of all walks of life for the service and sacrifices made by our military veterans. This happens every day — from small gestures of thanks to hours of volunteer service at our many veterans facilities.
As Americans, we owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have worn the uniform on our behalf. Veterans always appreciate heartfelt recognition of their service.
Each February, many of your readers join us in the National Salute to Veteran Patients. This program encourages Americans to visit and volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and to send letters of thanks or valentines to those who have protected our nation. This year's national salute is Feb. 12-18. Last year, more than 328,000 valentines were received at VA medical centers, and 21,330 people visited nearly 70,000 veteran patients. That was an overwhelming increase from 2009, and I thank you and your readers for your work in bringing attention to this worthy cause.
The purpose of the national salute is threefold: to pay tribute and express appreciation to veterans, to increase community awareness of the role of VA medical centers, and to encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and become involved as volunteers. Since 1978, the salute has presented Americans another opportunity to say "thank you" to our veterans and to those who give them care. I encourage your thoughtful readers to take some time this February to honor our veterans. And once again, Annie, thank you for your support of this outstanding program.
For more information regarding the National Salute to Veteran Patients and volunteer opportunities at a local VA medical center, please visit the VA Voluntary Service Web page at www.volunteer.va.gov. — Sincerely, Eric K. Shinseki
Dear Secretary Shinseki: Every year, our readers make us proud with their outpouring of appreciation for our veterans through the Valentines for Vets program. We know they will come through again.
Support for our veterans transcends politics. These men and women deserve our thanks and appreciation. Sending a valentine or, better yet, visiting our veterans or volunteering at one of the VA medical facilities is a wonderful way to express our gratitude to those who have served our country. The veterans would be especially thrilled if you could spend a few minutes visiting and talking about their families and hometowns. Tell them how much you appreciate their service. Teachers, you have always been wonderfully supportive in making this a class project, especially with those charming and much-appreciated handmade valentines. Encourage your students to express their creativity while learning the satisfaction of doing for others.
Every year, the dedicated members of Camp Fire USA participate in this VA program, and Salvation Army volunteers distribute valentines, gifts and refreshments at various VA facilities around the country. Concerts and other programs are held across the country as part of the National Salute to Veteran Patients week festivities.
If you do not live close enough to a VA facility to drop off your valentines in person, it's perfectly OK to put them in the mail. Simply check your phone book for the nearest VA facility, or go to the VA website at www.va.gov. We can never repay these courageous veterans for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf, but we can take the time to let them know they have not been forgotten. Please remember our veterans this Valentine's Day. We know of nothing else that costs so little and brings so much happiness. — Marcy and Kathy
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM
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Comments
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34 Comments | Post Comment
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While I am in support of this, I think the Secretary should also focus on the following:
1. Improving hospital conditions for our disabled veterans.
2. Work on finding alternative work solutions for many of our veterans who cannot work traditional jobs due to either PTSS or other disabilities.
3. Improving mental health rehabilitation for our veterans.
4. Dealing with the increasing problem of homeless veterans.
I'll send a valentine, sure, but why not raise awareness on these other issues and really get something done?
Comment: #1
Posted by: nanchan
Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:28 AM
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I can't improve on what nanchan said -- I'll just say AMEN!
Comment: #2
Posted by: Kitty
Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:27 AM
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Well, folks, pick up your guns and get ready to start firing, because I suspect a lot of people aren't going to like what I'm about to say (keeping in mind many of my relatives chose careers in the services).
Every time I see a story about respecting our soldiers, I can't help but think about the 200,000-plus people in Iraq who are dead, people who never picked up a gun and attacked our country, people who were never a threat to us at all. I have some real qualms about folks making a living off of picking up guns and pointing them at people who never attacked us or hurt us, and, frankly, I have some qualms about honoring people for that kind of service. I have no doubt it's dangerous; I'm just not convinced it's morally justified and certainly doesn't seem necessary.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Ms. Rowena
Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:29 AM
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What nanchan said! Amen!! I think it's disgraceful the way our vets are treated once their service to OUR country is completed. If I didn't know any better, I'd think our politicians use these young men and women then simply toss them aside.
Comment: #4
Posted by: Chris
Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:14 AM
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@MS. Rowena, I have a great amount of sympathy for what you say, as I too have huge difficulty with the so-called "justification" for attacking Iraq in particular. I don't believe the Iraq invasion was just, and continues to be a huge stain on our national honor.
However, I blame those decisions on the political leaders, not the average soldier. The men and women in uniform swore to protect our nation, and part of that includes obeying the lawful orders of their superiors. We may debate the wisdom of a politician's decision to go to war, but once that decision is made, our men and women in uniform -- the vast majority of them, anyway -- execute their orders with honor and dignity, and the risk they undertake earns our respect. It's our job as American voters to elect different political leaders if we disagree with the wars.
I personally don't believe our country is one whit safer because of our actions in Iraq, but I respect the dedication and service of our soldiers regardless. (My stepdad is a Vietnam vet and he and I are in pretty close agreement about Iraq, actually).
In any event, I don't think the two views are incompatible -- disagreement with specific wars but with respect and concern for our veterans, especially caring for them after they complete their service.
Comment: #5
Posted by: Mike H
Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:36 AM
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Re: Mike H - Nicely said. Thanks.
Comment: #6
Posted by: Rick
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:49 AM
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I spent 24 months in Iraq and Afghanistan plus another 30 years in active and reserve service in the U S Army.
I'd sure hate to be a relative of Ms Rowena....she would probably tell me I was a war criminal and that my entire time in the Middle East served corporate interests, big Oil and that I killed babies.
If Ms Rowena wants to make a difference, as she clearly does, why doesn't she enlist in the Marine Corp and save the World as we know it?
Comment: #7
Posted by: Patrick Turner
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:52 AM
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This is wonderful to send our support to our veterans on holidays, but what about the rest of the days of the year? How about visiting on a non-holiday, volunteering on a non-holiday, sending a card or a small gift on a non-holiday? No matter whether you agree with the wars these men and women fought, they still deserve our respect and support. They didn't start the wars and they enlisted in our armed forces to protect this country and all of the people in it. Take your anger out on the politicians and their greed, not on the men and women in uniform who serve our country.
Comment: #8
Posted by: Vesta
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:52 AM
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Re: Ms. Rowena
Why are the women and men, the unwitting pawns in the political farce that you (rightly, in my view) denounce, not deserving of respect and compassion?
Comment: #9
Posted by: Jpp
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:03 AM
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Re: Ms. Rowena
I don't disagree with what you said, but I disagree with who you aim it at.
Keep in mind that a lot of people join the military to acquire a career they would otherwise have no access to. Other enlist to acquire the discipline and focus that was never given to them at the dysfunctional home they were issued from. Others want to see more of the world. People who enlist because they're obsessed with killing don't pass the psychological tests anyway - this is not what being a soldier is about.
I myself tried to enlist but I didn't pass the medical. I was trying to enlist as a reservist, precisely because as a reservist, they could not have deployed me against my consent to a place where I didn't want to go. My intent was to volunteer for peace-keeping missions, civil duty in times of catastrophe and patrolling the North. I believe enlisting in the National Guard serves pretty much the same purpose in the US, except that lately the military authorities have been running short of troops to deploy and have fallen back on using them too.
The leaders are to blame for the attack on Irak, which had nothing to do with the reasons stated. The same yurunda was repeated in Lybia and now Iran's turn is coming - Iran was always the original target anyway, right from the beginning. The US government is to blame for that, not its soldiers.
Unfortunately, there isn't much anyone can do, because what changes from one administration to the other will be domestic policies, not foreign affair ones, which are largely determined by SOME lobby groups and think tanks anyway. So voting one or the other President out of office makes no difference. Obama is finishing what Bush started and they're not even from the same party. There would need to be a general uprising for things to change but...
a) The reasons given for anything are never the real ones;
b) The general public does not bother to question and research;
c) Most people don't realise there would be a NEED to question and research, never dreaming they're being shamelessly lied to in a very organised way;
d) Most people therefore don't really understand what's going on, so they'll never see any reason to conduct a little US Spring.
So there is no hope of things changing any time soon. But blaming the soldiers hits the wrong target. You should blame the real culprits, even if there is nothing you can do.
@Mike H
Your stepfather is in a good position to see that there was nothing accomplished in Viet Nam either.
And nanchan is right - that so many US veterans should end up in the streets because of untreated mental illness resulting from their service is a NATIONAL DISGRACE. The US uses its sons and daughters as cannon fodder for its lies and deceits and then drops them like a hot potato. Not that Canada is treating its servicemen much better, mind you, but because Canada wasn't "directly" involved in Iraq means the number of problems are much smaller, so it doesn't show as much.
Comment: #10
Posted by: Lise Brouillette
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:06 AM
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Re: Patrick Turner
Actually, big oil interests are a big fringe benefit, but just that still - compared to the US' real strategic interests in the middle East. And that doesn't make you a war criminal.
My hat goes to you, and thank you for your service. I'm glad to hear you came back in one piece - mind and body.
Comment: #11
Posted by: Lise Brouillette
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:10 AM
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What you said. All of you.
Comment: #12
Posted by: Carla
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:20 AM
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Thanks, Mike H, for saying that so well. Even a few hours after reading that remark by Rowena, I'm having a hard time formulating an answer that is family friendly.
An armed military is every bit necessary. If we don't have one, someone who does have an armed military will take over through force, or we would be reliant on another nation to protect us, and thus at their mercy.
If you don't like Iraq in particular, focus your anger at the people who sent us there -- our President and those who fed him information that lead him to make him believe it was necessary at the time. The soldiers are people who joined for a variety of reasons, but, from all the soldiers I've asked, "killing innocent people," has never appeared on the list of reasons to join.
Comment: #13
Posted by: Shannon
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:37 AM
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nanchan and Mike H FTW!
Patrick - Thank you for your service to this country... and thanks be to God for bringing you home safely.
Comment: #14
Posted by: PS
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:46 AM
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Ms. Rowena,
As the mom of an active duty Marine and wife or a retired Gunny of the Marines, all I can say is why don't you go live somewhere else so that my child doesn't have to protect your right to freedom of speech. The service members in this country volunteer to make sure your life is a good one here and don't get me started on that they are paid. My son made $20,000 before taxes last year, how far does that take anyone these days? The service members do not get to pick and choose where they go, it is dictated to them by congress and the President. Yes it is their job, but without them to protect your rights you'd be wearing a burka and be ckassifeid as a piece of crap with limited educaion available. People like you aggravate me so much as you have no idea how much our troops give up to protect your sorry butt. Please move to a third world country and don't come back.
Comment: #15
Posted by: kathee
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:59 AM
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Re: Shannon
"If we don't have one, someone who does have an armed military will take over through force, or we would be reliant on another nation to protect us, and thus at their mercy."
That's exactly the position Canada is in right now.
It's not that we don't have an army, it's that, given our scant population, we do not have enough boots on the ground to effectively police our immense border and coastal lines - we touch three oceans.
In the sixties the Canadian government put the axe in Canada's nuclear program, except for power plants. It also trashed all weaponry research programs, including the development of the CF-105 Arrow Mach-2 interceptor, whose production was stopped and plans ordered destroyed.
This was done because the leaders came to the unescapable conclusion that there was no way we could hope to match even a fraction of the US military budget even if we taxed every Canadian in the country into the poor house . We do not have the taxation base to generate that kind of money - the entire population of Canada can fit in two or three American metropolises. It therefore made more sense to sign treaties of mutual assistance and rely on American weapons and military budget, which is what Canada did.
For those who kept on decrying Canada's presence in Afghanistan - THAT's why we were there. Not to kowtow to Uncle Sam's strategic interests (which are not necessarily the same as our own, and not even necessarily where the US government thinks they are), but to fulfill our treaty obligations.
Comment: #16
Posted by: Lise Brouillette
Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:20 AM
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@ kathee
I think we all can agree that Ms. Rowena's anger towards unjust wars was misplaced upon the troops themselves. You're correct that our armed forces go where they're told and do what they're told. However, I disagree with you that our troops missions are solely protecting our so called freedoms. The Abu Ghraib scandal, incendiary photos of our troops posing with the corpses of dead civilians much like a hunter poses with a dead deer and the recent viral video depicting our troops urinating on dead Taliban are prime examples. The truth of the matter is that the United States restricts freedoms just as much as any other country, however, they're just really good at making ill-informed citizens believe they're carrying out the will of the people. For example, do a little research on The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), also known as H.R. 3261 that's weaving it's way through Congress. I won't even go into the many dubious uses the Patriot Act has gave the government over our lives in the wake of 9-11. There are many, many examples that are every bit as ridiculous as women being forced to wear Burkas and be being forbidden to drive. Our restrictions on personal freedoms are simply more subtle. Make no mistake that each and every use of military force by our government against another is carefully crafted to serve a specific purpose that has very little to do with the will of the people and very much to do with furthering the political agendas of our millionaire politicians and the big corporations to which they are beholden.
Comment: #17
Posted by: Chris
Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:24 AM
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Mike H: Hope your trip went well! fantastic response to Rowena.
kathee also brings up a very good point (actually several, but I'll address one). Our deployed military is frightfully low paid. Even before the morgage meltdown of 2008, foreclosures were extremely high with deployed military. Now it's epidemic. Many of the military serving were also a part of the national guard and were called into service and had to leave well paying jobs. Two of my coworkers left jobs that paid them over $200K a year to fight for a war they never planned on. Then tours were extended. And extended. A six month tour for one coworker ended up being almost 18 months. During this time, his wife had to return to work (she had been a stay home mom), they lost their home to foreclosure. It will take this guy YEARS to recover from defending his country.
We need to put something in place in the legislature that protects people who are serving our country from losing their homes. And a part of the veteran's association also needs to address the enormous financial stresses that can come when a serviceman or woman returns from active duty and tries to reenter American society. It is a difficult transition and we need to recognize that as a part of their service.
Comment: #18
Posted by: nanchan
Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:04 AM
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I'd aim my response back to the writer of the letter to the column: Tell Obama to STOP telling Vets they have to get their own health insurance coverage; if they have disabilities/injuries because of their military service then the GOVERNMENT (we, the People) needs to provide properly for those vets. This is NOT an expense that should be put on the shoulders of those who stood in the line of fire because of orders "from above" - in this case, the President's military commanders. Give our Vets the respect AND CARE they deserve. This should be a first priority in ANY country.
Comment: #19
Posted by: graham072442
Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:10 AM
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Re: kathee
If there is one thing I can not stand is someone telling a fellow American to leave becuase that American does not like the military. Like you said your family in the military is defending her right to speak. But funny t hing Iraq never challenged any of our freedoms. No one here has the right to tell someone else to leave. As far as I am concern this mess is the falult of the ploiticians like Bush and Cheney and the military-industrial complex who never wants to miss a chance to make some money. Which Cheney is a part of. Funny thing the middle class pay the taxes to pay for these wars, ususally the poor and middle class children are sacrificed to fight them and the rich just get richer with weapons sells and the protection of their investment in oil. And I would agree we all need oil. But let the wealthy make a few sacrifices.
Comment: #20
Posted by: cecile
Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:54 AM
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#1 Nanchan and #5 Mike said all that needs to be said, IMHO. Thanks, folks.
After participating on several different chat boards, I have concluded that avoiding three things would help us go a long way towards having a pleasant experience here.
1. Incivility. Life is too short, and so are tempers. We can learn to disagree without being disagreeable.
2. Religion. As Americans, each of us has the right to the beliefs we choose to embrace (or even to embrace no religious view).
3. Politics. This is an issue of your own consciousness. Exercise your franchise inside the voting booth, not here. Please save political commentary for the opinion chat boards.
Thanks for hearing me out. Have a great day, y'all.
Comment: #21
Posted by: Humama
Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:12 PM
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Re: nanchan
There is something in place for these service members; it is called the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, commonly called the civil relief act and it is available to all branches of service who are deployed overseas on active duty status. Several banks recently got sued for foreclosures on deployed military members and not only are they having to pay up to the tune of $56 million for BoFA and I can't remember how much for Citi; but they have to deal with the reputation they now have with military members. IF your friend was deployed overseas and has copies of his paid travel voucher to prove the exact dates he was overseas corresponds with when his family was unable to make his payments he needs to contact a lawyer now, many affiliated with local veterans affairs offices at the county level are more than willing to do this pro bono. Also if he should get called up again he needs to contact his lenders with copies of his orders prior to leaving and under the same act they are obligated to lowering his interest rates while he is overseas on orders, he must contact them on his return but that is just a simple phone call to say his is back. I know this because I did it numerous times myself while serving on active duty for the last 21 years that I was in the Air Force. As a happy new retiree I am more than happy to pass along the information. Good Luck to your friend and his family.
Comment: #22
Posted by: Paula
Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:23 PM
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Thanks, Paula! Great post and thanks for updating me on the info. It's good to know that banks are being held accountable too. (there can be progress people, if we shed a little light on things and get active!!!)
Congratulations on you recent retirement.. enjoy!
Comment: #23
Posted by: nanchan
Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:13 PM
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I was listening to conservative radio just a week or so ago and the host said something along the lines that while prison inmates have 3 meals a day, cable TV, AC, clean clothes, and a bed, some of our veterans, people who risked their lives for us, are homeless and eating out dumpsters. Even if it is through something of their own doing, don't we owe it to them to help them back up? I think our government needs to stop its wasteful pointless spending, like turtle tunnels, etc., and do something for our vets.
Comment: #24
Posted by: aimee85
Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:08 PM
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RE: Ms. Rowena
Wow, did you ever open up a can of worms. I somewhat agree with you, but Mike H. had a great comeback. I couldn't have said it better. Power to you Mike H.
My husband and i served our country in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era. We weren't married at the time as we were young teens, decided to put ourselves to good use before tying the knot. I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England, in the Personnel dept. and let me tell you, it wasn't fun out- processing troops who were on their way to Nam as I/we didn't know if we'd ever see these young men again. And yeah, some did NOT return. And the ones who did return were NOT the same person/s as they were before they left. During this time frame, the Draft was still in effect, so do you think these young men really wanted to be there? No. And, for those who remember when the war eneded, the troops went home, what a laugh. Their hard work went unappreciated, there was NO respect whatsoever for them. Instead of celebrations, they were spit on, harrassed, called names and a lot of other things. So much for waving the American flag for these people.
Comment: #25
Posted by: Gwen
Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:16 PM
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@ LISE- 7 DAYS AND COUNTING !!
Comment: #26
Posted by: Gwen
Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:20 PM
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Re: Gwen
It's true. The Viet Nam veterans were used as scapegoats for the impopularity of the war. This injustice should not be repeated today.
@Humana
While you are perfectly correct in general, given the tenor of today's one letter, the relationship between the military and the govenrment's decisions makes politics a pretty hard subject to avoid for today. Whatever has been said so far in this thread has been perfectly on topic.
Further to Gwen
Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick, BOOM!
Comment: #27
Posted by: Lise Brouillette
Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:05 PM
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We should respect and support those who have given so much for their community and our country. Unfortunately many veterans are underrepresented and not supported. The government provides some support but so do many nonprofit organizations such as representveterans.com or various businesses that provide discounts or valuable services. It is good to provide actual support for our veterans instead of stating that we support them but not doing anything.
Comment: #28
Posted by: katy
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:04 PM
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Awesome win for our guy. He got his mojo back and is going to be okay. Mission accomplished! Great job, guy. You go!!!
Comment: #29
Posted by: Me
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:15 PM
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Happy mojo return!!
Comment: #30
Posted by: Me
Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:17 PM
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RE: Gwen's comments about being enlisted during the Vietnam War.
It is sad that so many of our young people think the information about the wars are just something for the history books. Many of us who post here remember growing up, watching the one sided TV reports about the Vietnam War. Many had a direct connection to it, whether family or friends who did not come back, to family and friends who came back and whose lives were never the same. You were in a group whether a student/adult and in churches and schools--prayer groups.
In 1975 over 2,000 infants and children were airlifted from Vietnam and adopted by families around the world. This was as their world was falling apart and they were sure to die if not rescued. A neighbor of mine got 2 babies. The transition of the life change took a terrible medical toll on her new children--much like all the children that came. Culture shock was not even close.
I have my MIA bracelet and yet to this day, it is in a place where I see it often, and still remember what went on during that ill-fated time. My father was in Germany during the Korean Conflict--even tho battle was fought, those soldiers were not aknowledged as fighting in a war. When attending our Memorial Day services in May, honoring all who served out country in many ways,and many years.
The silence is yet deafening as you watch the wreaths laid at the memorials built for those in all the wars. Our local city cemetary goes back to the civil war for soldiers buried there. Our veterans who rest there are honored many times throughout the year by many organizations and service clubs. It is with awe that a walk through the placements of graves and stones that you can find out so much about the people who were here before you. And throughout history why wars were fought and for who's freedoms were gained.
And as to Gwen and others who have served the U S of A, I want to say thank you, from the depths of my soul, and for your actions, i am allowed to express my gratitude in this manner.
Sincerely~~~
Comment: #31
Posted by: Joyce/MN
Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:11 PM
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i am grateful to mikeh, nanchan and lise among others for stating so eloquently how i feel. i have always been a 'hate the war, love the troops' person. during the vietnam war, i was engaged to a sailor and sent care packages to him to share with his mates. at the same time, i was down in washington, protesting the war. during the first afghanistan war, i was sending care packages and donating blood. i had a yellow ribbon [to honor a neighbor] tied around my dogwood tree, a 'stop the war' bumper sticker on my car and wore a peace symbol. these last two nearly got me thrown off the board of deacons at the church i was attending at the time. my pastor stood up for me. after 9-11, i didn't understand our reasons for entering iraq and i was against our being there. i believed in our right to be in afghanistan, as bin laden was reputed to be there. we were responding to a direct attack on our country. i felt betrayed by the involvement of such entities as halliburton and the black hawks. i was outraged by the abuse of prisoners and the more recent incident of marines urinating on the dead but these few are not a fair representation of our troops. i am still ambivalent about our being 'there' now that bin laden is gone, but i continue to believe in our troops, however i feel about our government.
Comment: #32
Posted by: alien07110
Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:42 AM
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Many thanks for the kind words, everyone. I've had some fantastic conversations with my step-dad over the years, and so I understand how a soldier can be proud of their service and yet still frustrated by the politics that led up to a war.
And nanchan, yes, thanks, it was a great trip, although I'm still fairly jet-lagged right now. Thank goodness for the long weekend.
Comment: #33
Posted by: Mike H
Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:56 AM
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Dear Annie's Mailbox,
Thank you so much for posting this letter from Secretary Shinseki to bring awareness to "Salute To Hospitalized Veterans Week". It really is a great opportunity to show some appreciation to our brave heroes who have sacrificed to much for our country. My name is Gina and I am founder of award-winning non-profit org, Pin-Ups For Vets, that I established when I was 24 years old, two years after graduating from UCLA. Our non-profit organization produces classic WWII style pin-up calendars that have raised thousands of dollars ($50,000 to date) to support VA and Military hospital rehabilitation programs across the USA. In addition to raising money so that these hospitals can buy state-of-the-art cognitive, occupational and physical rehab equipment, I am right in the middle of a 50-state VA and Military hospital tour. My supporters around the globe donate these calendars so that I am able to bring them into the hospitals, and deliver them bedside, room to room. It is my goal to visit our hospitalized Veterans in at least one VA or Military hospital in every state in the US. In December, I visited my 32nd hospital in the 20th state! I could write a book about my experiences on this hospital tour. I come dressed up as a 1940s pin-up girl into the hospital, liberty rolls in my hair, red lips, retro 1940s dress and hand deliver these calendars. The Veterans always get a huge kick out of the visit. It means SO much to them to know that people are thinking about them. I've had many Veterans break down and cry because they are so touched by this gift of appreciation and bedside visit. I am always encouraging my supporters to volunteer at their local VA hospital. It's so important to give back to our Veterans who have given so much. Thank you again for covering this topic! -Gina Elise, Founder, Pin-Ups For Vets and granddaughter of WWII Army Veteran
Comment: #34
Posted by: Gina Elise
Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:56 AM
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