I have never been to a Veteran’s Administration facility.
Although all who have served are technically eligible, I never pursued
visiting. First, it was inconvenient as the closest clinic was in Peoria and
the closest hospital was in Danville IL. I had hated being drafted into the army and wanted
nothing to do with the military.
I did, however, signup for VA health benefits. I didn’t
need them, but there was a concern about the VA cutbacks back in the 1990’s. VA
cutbacks were targeting underutilized facilities like the hospital in Danville.
Most of the maintenance staff were vets, and they knew I was the only administrator
who had served. They asked me if I would sign up to help show the VA there was
need in the area. I agreed.
I arrived at the VFW in Bloomington with my DD214. This is
the form that all military personnel are given upon discharge. You are told to
guard it carefully as it is the only proof of service. I keep mine in a safe
deposit box.
After having my photo taken, I was given a red, white and
blue picture id. I stuck it in a drawer figuring to never use it again. After
all I didn’t need a VA loan, I had already exhausted all of my GI bill
education benefits, and I had health insurance.
I did take it to Lowes after I found out they give veterans
a 10% discount. This is an unadvertised benefit that applies to every purchase
all year round. After multiple uses, some of which were allowed, some not, I
finally got a Lowes card that grants the discount at checkout.
When applying for my last driver’s license renewal, the
State of Illinois offered to add a veteran’s registration on the license, but I
had to visit with a VA counselor. I had to take my DD214 to the meeting. He
went through my benefits and offered to have a copy of my service records sent
to me. I figured that was the end of my contact with the VA.
Anyone who watches the real news, knows the Veteran's Administration has had some
really bad press. Investigations show long waiting lists for veterans to get
medical attention. Photos of deteriorating facilities, poor working conditions,
and neglect for disabled patients have been all over the news. Several VA administrators
have been fired, and there is constant turmoil. The politicians use it as scape
goat for political gain, but never seem to fund the program as well as they
fund the latest high tech weapon system. The VA after all is for the last few
wars. Old sick injured men and women are just not creating jobs in the
politician’s districts.
It used to be that virtually every male became a veteran.
This was because the military needed many men and a few women to carry out the
mission to destroy ambitious dictators and keep others at bay. Large numbers
were needed to fight aggression by countries supported by communist
governments. Large numbers were needed to honor our commitments to countries that
were led by people who asked for our help, while using us to help them stay in
power. Large numbers were needed to hold on to territory. Large numbers of young military age into large numbers of old veterans.
But this was the old military. The new military needed fewer
people who are more highly trained. The new military uses high technology to
destroy, but not occupy. You see, the military draft ended almost 50 years ago.
This was the end of the citizen soldier.
My 50th high school reunion was “hosted” by
those at their 25th reunion. One of my classmates asked all who had
served in the military to stand. Almost every male in my class stood, while no one from the 25th reunion
stood.
So most veterans are over 70. Although in that age group, I
didn’t need the VA health benefits. That is until Covid19.
Covid 19 is deadly to those with the weakest immune
systems. This group includes those over 65, the disabled, those with underlying
health conditions. This is the precisely the situation for most veterans.
I am in San Antonio which prides itself as a “military city”.
In addition to large numbers of active duty soldiers and air force personnel,
it is home to many veterans. In fact everyone I know from Silver Sneakers is a
vet, even the women. The VA facilities in San Antonio are extensive and include
specialized units for those with the most severe war injuries.
Vaccinations are given on a priority basis to those most at
risk. After medical professionals and nursing home personnel comes the 65 plus
group. The VA was to receive vaccine for this group. They scheduled distribution
for a Saturday. With so many in the area, they would not receive enough for
those over 65. The first weekend was just for those over 75. The following
Saturday was for those 70 and older.
With so many vets in town, the vaccine distribution is
huge. So huge, that the phone lines used to get an appointment crashed in a few
minutes. Vets simply could not get through. So the VA did something unusual. They
told vets over 70 to just show up on a Saturday, and the VA would vaccinate
everyone until they ran out of vaccine. I decided to take a chance and show up.
I arrived 2 hours before the distribution was to begin. I
planned to stand outside in the cold, but the VA staff had already opened the
hospital when I arrived. I was directed down several hallways which were
already full of waiting men and women. Most were standing, but several were in
wheelchairs, electric and not, walkers and carrying canes. All had on masks.
There were a few chairs placed 6 feet apart, but we were all much closer than
that. I didn’t count, but I am sure I walked past at least 1000 people.
The Audie Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio is state
of the art. It is bright, roomy and well maintained. There was no sign of
peeling paint, filth, or understaffing I had heard so much about. It made proud
to know the VA had such wonderful facilities for our military veterans.
I was amazed at the variety of military insignia on hats
and jackets standing in the hallways. Most were proudly displaying their branch
and era of service. Most were Vietnam era, but there were a few from the Korean
War. All were waiting patiently.
I heard
not one complaint.
Mostly they joked with each other. There was plenty of
laughter. I heard several times the old army saying “Hurry up and wait” followed
by a chuckle of familiarity. We regularly heard this when I was in. Hurry up and get ready, then sit or stand.
The VA personnel were amazing. The women and men directing
us were all positive and engaging with the men and women in line. They were all
working on a Saturday, and I am sure they had volunteered to do it. They brought chairs for those who needed them and handed out bottles of water. They never once
referred to the men and women as patients, even though we were in a hospital. They
called us “Veterans”.
Although there were a few glitches for me, the experience
was amazing. I had to leave the line when I got to the front because I wasn’t
registered at the facility. That added over an hour to my wait, but I cannot
complain. When I was finally registered, the staff member who was directing the
vets, remembered me and moved me up to get my appointment. She told everyone in
line I had been waiting through two other groups to get an appointment. After 5
hours I had my first dose and an appointment for the second dose. I am sure
anyone who has caught this virus would have gladly waited to receive the
vaccine.
I cannot thank the VA staff enough. They made this long
wait as pleasant as possible. I want to thank all the veterans who stood
with me. It is you who have kept this country free. To the VA staff thanks for who honoring our service.
