Archive for Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thanks, vets
America’s veterans deserve the best social services and medical care this nation has to offer.
November 11, 2009
Advertisement
Today is Veterans Day, but it shouldn’t be the only day we remember and honor the contributions of America’s military veterans.
The number of American World War II veterans is dwindling, but current conflicts in the Middle East are putting more U.S. troops in harm’s way every day. It’s unlikely we will run short of veterans to honor anytime soon.
Some of the problems faced by troops returning home from World War II are the same as those faced by younger veterans today. War can have a devastating emotional and physical impact on young men and women. We may be more able to recognize and respond to some of those issues today, but, in too many cases, we are falling short.
A report issued Tuesday indicated that the number of homeless veterans continues to grow, both in Kansas and across the nation. Based on reports from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there were an estimated 131,000 homeless veterans in America on any given night in 2008, and more in the course of the year. New figures for Kansas indicate there were 712 homeless veterans in Kansas in 2008, up from 689 in 2007 and 601 in 2006.
According to a recent federal survey, veterans account for 23 percent of all homeless people in America. The VA reports that 45 percent of homeless vets suffer from mental illness and half have substance abuse problems. More than 67 percent served America for at least three years, and 33 percent served in a war zone. Just under half served in the Vietnam era.
Last week, the VA held a three-day conference at which it put forth plans to end veteran homelessness in five years. It is a challenging goal, but one that all Americans should embrace. We hope that the five-year plan includes an initiative discussed last summer to build a housing facility for homeless veterans at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita. These veterans deserve any help we can give them to improve their lives.
Many homeless veterans, as well as many others, undoubtedly are affected by a diagnosis that was unknown a few decades ago: post-traumatic stress disorder. A story in Tuesday’s Journal-World reported on new research on PTSD and concussion-like brain injuries that are a common occurrence in current conflicts in the Middle East.
The research is showing that traumatic brain injuries trigger changes in how the brain operates and present a possible link to the symptoms associated with PTSD. Although the injuries mostly involve no obvious wound, they can pose lifelong challenges for war veterans.
Continued research and expanded services for injured and homeless veterans are good ways to show our appreciation for the service they have offered. However, all veterans, regardless of whether they have been injured or even served in a war zone, deserve our gratitude. They have made a decision to put their country ahead of many other personal interests they might pursue.
Today, and every day, we thank them for their courage and their service.
More like this
- House addresses veterans' mental health July 31, 2007
- FORT DODGE FROM CUSTER TO HAGEN July 4, 1999
- Wounded war vets return from Iraq to suffer financially 2 comments / September 30, 2007
- Homeless vets 1 comment / June 19, 2009
- Families: Inadequate health care fosters suicide May 29, 2007
Top ads RSS
- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Fundraising and public relations firm seeking full-time administrative ...
- KU Informational Systems
- KU Student Health Services
- Coordinator with Teaching Responsibilities University of Kansas Requires professional knowledge ...
- Nurse needed at Family Medicine Associates for both part time ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Mangino's contract outlines probe November 21, 2009 · 35 comments
- Blog: 3 Questions: Kansas At Texas November 21, 2009 · 2 comments
- Blog: Palin Book Could Be Your Cheapest Source For Winter Fuel November 20, 2009 · 69 comments
- Nation has right to ask ‘why?’ November 21, 2009 · 24 comments
- Blog: Acting (Some Days, Most Days, Frequently And Occasionally) President Dan Wildcat Is Off Campus This Week . November 19, 2009 · 16 comments
- Researcher: Writing proves Shroud of Turin is real November 21, 2009 · 13 comments
- Blog: We Noticed November 19, 2009 · 120 comments
- Poll: How much are you contributing to the United Way this year? November 21, 2009 · 8 comments
- Mangino denies validity of former player allegations November 19, 2009 · 158 comments
- KU's Chancellor issues statement putting support behind Lew Perkins November 20, 2009 · 43 comments
- Mangino's contract outlines probe November 21, 2009
- On target November 21, 2009
- CLARENCE E. RINKE OBITUARY October 19, 1999
- A sad story November 19, 2009
- Four decades in crisis mode November 21, 2009
- Farmers' Turnpike reopens after four months of construction November 20, 2009
- Center for East Asian Studies celebrates 50 years of accomplishments November 21, 2009
- Commission votes against including gender identity in Lawrence's anti-discrimination policy November 19, 2009
- 75-year-old Topeka area man dies from H1N1; LMH reports flu activity November 20, 2009
- Meier mature, classy November 21, 2009
11 November 2009
at 7:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/10/v…
“On the eve of Veterans Day, a team of researchers from Harvard Medical School has released a study finding that an estimated 2,266 veterans under the age of 65 died last year because they did not have health insurance. That “translates to six preventable deaths per day” and more than twice the number killed in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001.”
11 November 2009
at 12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
thanks to all vets of the armed forces out there. :)
11 November 2009
at 12:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
artichokeheart (Anonymous) says…
Yeah bozo that sorta defines this country's attitude doesn't it.
11 November 2009
at 1:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Thing (Anonymous) says…
Bozo is a pathetic creature that openly detests the military and then uses them to promote his twisted political agenda.
11 November 2009
at 2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
It's more about the rotten medical insurance industry……….
OR maybe all vets and their dependents should be awarded a Medicare Insurance Card upon discharge from the Armed Services?
11 November 2009
at 2:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
New Balance designed four pairs of USA made shoes dedicated to Veterans Day
http://www.nbwebexpress.com/newbalanc…
11 November 2009
at 2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
ComradeRedRooster (Anonymous) says…
I'm curious, I wonder how many vets bozo and merrill spit on and do they still hock one on a veteran on Veterans day to feel superior?