In Defense Of Our Veterans

"But as for me, it is good to be near God".
Psalms 73:28

 The other day I had the pleasure of speaking to a woman who is a Human Resources employee at a local VA hospital. She was telling me how the Veterans Administration was making it a priority to hire more Veterans.  She went on to say how although this was a good initiative, it was lacking in on key area; training and education for managers and supervisors who the Veteran would be placed under once hired. Some managers are totally oblivious as to what "special accommodations" they would possibly need for Veterans. After all, they are just people like the many others hired by the Veterans Administration on a daily basis. This is where they are totally wrong; and if I may be so bold as to remark, narrow minded. 

 I am a retired Army Veteran, as I have mentioned several times before.  Since my inception into the ranks of soldier my entire life has been "dress-right-dress", attention to detail, and arriving 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, to mention a few ingrained idiosyncrasies. There was a saying we had when I was active duty which was "We do more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day". I promise you that this saying was true in every way. Having to live under this mindset for even a few years, (coupled with a tour(s) in a foreign land, involuntary separation from family and friends for an extended time, perhaps a rotation to a war zone or a life changing injury), causes one to adapt to an attitude of ordiliness, structure, and above all, to develope a very low tolerance for people who perform their duties in a half-hearted, nonchalant manner.   The VA Medical Centers were created for the Veteran and therefore only the most sincere care should be expected from all VA employees at all times.  But, alas, that is hardly the case. I have worked with several VA facilities over the years and in several states and I have come to learn that many of those employed at these facilities are only interested in acquiring huge pay checks and yearly bonuses or seeking to hire as many of their family members as possible. This is known as neoptisim.  I was once in a position as secretary for a certain Service Line and the Administrative Officer actually said to me "Dennis, why do you have to work so fast"? She went on to say that when I completed my tasks ahead of schedule it forced her to address her part of the work before she desired to do so.  (Now take a second to visualize the look of total disdain I had on my face after hearing that comment).

 This is what Veterans, and those who care about Veterans, have to deal with from some Vetarans Hospital employees.  So to those of you who are employed in the services of the Veterans, please see the need for looking through the eyes of the Veterans; and not just from a medical perspective. And if you cannot or will not attempt to do that, please go home.  

 In a large way, we Veterans are ahead of the times.  We were integrated (racially) from Basic Training. We learned that a friend is one who has your back in all situations and not just the one who shares your skin color. We expanded the definition of family when we were apart from our traditional family. We shared one anothers joys and sorrows. What was mine was yours and what was yours was mine.  None of us ever had to go without, even we we didn't have a nickel in our pocket.

 Sounds like what Martin Luther King, JR, John F. Kennedy, and Abraham Lincoln, and Barack Obama had in mind; for us all to love and live together.

Have a great day.
I love you all,
Dennis