It's too bad we are headed out for Montana today, as I could have stayed longer at the Army Military Ball last night and danced a few dances. They always have oldies that are fun to dance too.
It was fun. We go every year to the Military ball and it is a wonderful feeling to belong, even as veterans, my husband and I are recognized by standing, as ones who gave to the support for the freedom of America.
Because Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is becoming more prevalent among our returning soldiers from war zones, it is a major topic these days with more emphasis put on public awareness through movies, the Internet and among casual acquaintances like last night.
This night there was a trailer for a new movie out this summer called The Dry Land about PTSD. It is getting awards for bringing this mental illness to the forefront again; as it has been mentioned in the past by others. The actors were present. I have seen them act before in some of my favorite sitcoms and in some movies.
One of my facebook friends who sat with us and whose husband is an Air Force 3 Star General, mentioned that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, just the day before, at a press conference in which her husband introduced the Governor; pledged 20 million dollars to the California returning veterans with mental illness. We both said: Where is he getting the money? I heard from NAMI organization that the State is cutting mental illness programs and taking the money for something else. California has no money.
Promises Promises.
I remember when Angelia Jolie said she was so proud to have fought for a bill to be passed through congress because it took a few years; only to find out later that the bill is only a pledge, really. A pledge with no money in the pot. Now she had to raise the money to support the bill or find someone in congress who would earmark her bill in the next great spending frenzy of congressional leaders. Remember, it's NOT their money; only their slush fund: referred to in the dictionary as: political bribery.
We always forget the Veterans. There are so many homeless Veterans to prove it. Why is this?
Is it because of boot camp? Soldiers who take a beating come hell or high water without complaining about their status? Who are trained to take orders without questioning them. They never ask for help or support because they are the ones everyone else depend upon for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
What is the mentality behind giving the least to those who give the most?
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