An American Tragedy
If you ever read the
first article I wrote here, "Who the hell is Joe"
You will notice I said, "Joe is just your average guy that never had any training in writing. I can't spell worth a crap and my grammar sucks. Great start huh? I bet ya can't wait to see what I have to say."
Well I have something to say now because another "Veterans Day" is nearing and my grammar still sucks but I feel compelled to say it anyway. Let me start with "Help Wanted". No, this is not an ad for a fast food worker or even a construction worker. It is an article by Greta Van Susteren of Fox News. You can read the whole article here if you like, I did.
link
Here is an excerpt that caught my attention...
"I am glad that I took another trip to the area since I think it important that we do not forget that the people in the Gulf States need our help -- all of our help. Likewise, many states have now opened their doors to the evacuees and I am sure it is not an easy transition for the evacuees. I hope we continue to help them. Imagine waking up one day and finding out everything you own -- including your memories recorded in family pictures -- destroyed and that you must suddenly start a new life over. It might be exciting for some but only when it is a matter of thought and choice -- and not Mother Nature imposing it upon you."
And certainly let us not overlook the official "Bush-Clinton Katrina fund."
BushClintonKatrinaAidFund.org
Here is the proclamation from that web page...
We are calling on all Americans to help the people of the Gulf Coast region by making as generous of a contribution as you can to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.
Thousands of our fellow Americans have suffered tremendous losses due to Hurricane Katrina. They desperately need your help to begin to rebuild their lives and their communities.
That's why President Bush has asked us to lead the fundraising effort to help the affected states recover. Following this, we established the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, which will serve to fill in the gaps and unmet needs that arise in the months and possibly years ahead in this recovery effort. The fund will work under our direction as we work primarily with the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama, but also with established national & local organizations, who are working directly with those, in identifying and funding these gaps.
Throughout our history, Americans have always responded to adversity with courage and compassion. We hope that we can count on you to help Hurricane Katrina survivors by making your donation today.
I thought it might be motivating to go to "Yahoo's" advanced search engine and type in a search for the exact phrase "Hurricane Relief." Wow, 92,100 hits. I guess if you want to rally round those affected by Katrina there is no deficiency of places to bequeath your gift. And I am sure (well almost sure) they are all legitimate places to send your cash, don't you think?
I have even seen some of the victims on my television and they have proclaimed that they are "Entitled" to aid from the Government.
Those severely injured and the families of those killed on 9/11/2001 received an average of 3.1 million apiece most of which came from the "Victims' Compensation Fund." Displaced residents and workers, those with "emotional trauma", and people exposed to environmental hazards, received about $3.5 billion. (Source LA times)
Well folks we have another group of citizens out there that could use your support. As of September 5, 2005, 14,641 of them, and their numbers are growing. I have not heard one of them ask for it yet. I have not heard them say, "I am entitled."
Here is a picture of one of them for you to ponder. Do you think he could use your help?
Do you think he might have some "emotional trauma" when he wakes up?
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source: New England Journal of Medicine
How about this one? What might he be "Entitled" to?
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source: New England Journal of Medicine
Where are you for them Greta? You work for Fox News. Everyday I hear from Shawn and Bill and Neil and Brit and Tony and Chris and Shepard how going to War with Iraq was the right thing to do. Where is your call for help for these men and women you would ask to make these sacrifices? You have the pulpit and the ability to send out the message for assistance, not me.
Would it detract from this war to put some of these pictures on your programs, let the American people know the true suffering of these volunteers and ask the American people to make a contribution to help our wounded? How much of your book profits is set aside to help these soldiers and their families? Is the true cost of war to high to show the American people and ask for their help or are you too busy worrying about Bob marrying Bob and Roe V Wade?
What about you liberals? If you think this war is unjust then that is all the more reason for you to get off your ass and help these soldiers. They didn't make the decision to fight this war they only have to pay the price. Where are your Hollywood celebrities with their concerts to raise money for our wounded soldiers? Which of you will be the first to step up? Will it be you George Clooney? How about you Michael More? You have some clout. If any of you can think of a better cause to raise money for then please let me know.
I tried that same Yahoo advanced search engine one more time with a little different twist this time. I typed in exact word match for "Veterans Relief." A total 303 hits.
If any of you news people think I am trying to lay guilt, your right, I am. People watch you every day.
When will you step up Greta or Shawn or Bill or Neil or Brit or Tony or Chris or Shepard?
What about you Wolf or Aaron or Anderson or Lou or Larry or Miles or Soledad?
What about you Chris Abrams or Rita Cosby or Joe Scarborough or Keith Olbermann or Tucker Carlson or Don Imus.
Which of you will be the first to use your pulpit to help those that have given so much?
I will be sending each of you a copy of this and my fervent wish is that others may do the same and one of you will act.
As I write this President Bush is just returning from his 8th trip to the Hurricane zone. With no disrespect meant Mr. President, how many trips have you made to visit our wounded veterans sense August 29th 2005? They need you more than ever Mr. President.
Ok, America, when is the last time any of you dug into that wallet or purse and found an extra ten spot and sent it to "The Disabled American Veterans"? DAV.org
There are many disabled veterans to choose from that still fill our nations hospitals. WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Iraq I, Iraq II, Kosovo, and Somalia. Forgive me if I have missed any but the list is long and I grow weary trying to remember them all.
Do I think this war sucks? Your damn right I do but my support for our troops did not start on March 19, 2003 nor will it end when this war has run it's course.
I have held my brothers in my arms and listen to them scream. I have tried to comfort a man with half a face while using my shoelace to stop the bleeding from the AK47 round he had in his leg. I have tried to comfort a man who only moments before had both feet.
I am 58 years old now but those memories will be with me until I depart this world, wherever that may be. I still wear my nations uniform though as a volunteer and do what I can. My wife is 55 and wears her uniform also and serves right along side of me performing security and search and rescue missions on Lake Erie. It's not much in the eyes of the world and I do not have the clout to get done what I am trying to with this article but all of you I mentioned do.
I fear as with most of what I write it will only be read by a few so I ask any of you that may read this to send it to your friends, your congressmen and women, your senators, and anyone else that may have the clout to help our wounded soldiers.
I would like to challenge you Greta Van Susteren. Go visit a VA hospital and hold an 80-year-old World War II vet in your arms and tell him "I value my freedom sir and I appreciate what you did". How about a 70-year-old Korean vet? They are easy to spot. Just look for the ones missing fingers and toes from frostbite. 'Nam vets are easy to pick out in the crowd also. They are around 60 years old now and some are missing a limb or two from the extensive use of booby traps by the Viet Cong. The ranks are growing every day with Iraq vets. They will be about 20 or 30 depending on which Iraqi war they fought in. Please don't forget the Afghanistan vets Greta. They seem to be on the back burner in the news with the war in Iraq but I can guarantee you their suffering is the same.
Then write another article Greta titled "Help Needed."
It wouldn't take that much for you to do Greta and the rewards would be great for those that need it. I will help if you want me. Put a paragraph in that goes something like this Greta.
"I am glad that I took a trip to the VA hospital since I think it important that we do not forget that the soldiers wounded in war need our help -- all of our help. Likewise, many Americans have now opened their wallets to the casualties and I am sure it is not an easy transition for them. I hope we continue to help them. Imagine waking up one day and finding out your arm or your leg or both are gone, destroyed, and that you must suddenly start a new life over.
I would also request of you President Bush to ask your father and Bill Clinton to start the
"Bush Clinton Veterans Relief Fund."
The opening page could read like this...
We are calling on all Americans to help our disabled veterans by making as generous of a contribution as you can to the Bush-Clinton Veterans Relief Fund.
Thousands of our fellow Americans have suffered tremendous losses due to their service to this country. They desperately need your help to begin to rebuild their lives.
That's why President Bush has asked us to lead the fundraising effort to help the affected veterans recover. Following this, we established the Bush-Clinton Veterans Relief Fund, which will serve to fill in the gaps and unmet needs that arise in the months and possibly years ahead in this recovery effort. The fund will work under our direction as we work primarily with the Governors of all states, but also with established national & local organizations, who are working directly with those, in need.
Throughout our history, Americans have always responded to adversity with courage and compassion. We hope that we can count on you to help our wounded veterans.
Web site yet to be determined
Sincerely
Joe & Donna Muharsky
Joe:
Volunteer: 1966 United States Navy, age 18
Volunteer: 1967 U.S.S. Brister, Destroyer Escort #327, Vietnam, Age 19
Volunteer: 1968 Forward Machine Gunner, PCF (Swift Boat) 78, DaNang, Age 20
Volunteer: 1969 Forward Machine Gunner, PCF (Swift Boat) 94, An Thoi, Age 21
Awarded: Six medals, 4 citations including Bronze "V" earned in combat.
For service to my country.
Operation Market Time, Operation Seal Lords, Operation Phoenix
Recipient:
First "Admiral Zumwalt Humanitarian Award"
From "The Swift Boat Sailors Association - 2003
Volunteer: Coxswain and Flotilla Operations Officer
United States Coast Auxiliary 2002 - present, Age 55
Recipient: SAR (Search and Rescue) Team 9 Award
From "The United States Coast Guard - 2004 Age 57
Recipient: First Place Division 9 Coxswain Award.
From: United States Coast Guard Auxiliary- 2004
107 missions and 314 hours underway. May-Sep, 2004
Donna:
Volunteer: Donna May Muharsky: Qualified Crew Member, Age 52
United States Coast Auxiliary 2002 - present.
Recipient: Third Place Crew Member Division 9
From: United States Coast Guard Auxiliary- 2004
47 Missions and 158 hours underway. May-Sep, 2004
Source