On Friday, Nov. 13, The Laurinburg Exchange published answers to the question “Do you think your service is appreciated throughout the year or just on Veterans Day?
Three out of five answered this question in the negative. I found the comment made by Richard Strickland especially true and accurate.
He said, “If you haven’t served in combat you are not appreciated“. His statement applies to those who served during peace time in Europe, or other places around the world. I don’t believe the public is aware, or even cares that there are two kinds of veterans.
The ones who receive VA benefits and others who I call the second-class vet, or the forgotten vet. These are the veterans who served this country honorably throughout the world, away from family and friends, but aren’t eligible for VA benefits, because of a law passed by Congress in 2002 disqualifying anyone with a combined income above $ 34,000 per year. It is a crying shame that these veterans have been excluded from something I believe they have earned. With all the waste in government, why is it that some veterans must be penalized even though they served faithfully? Over the last 10 years I have contacted all of my representatives and senators Republican and Democrat, the VA in Fayetteville and local VA, in the effort to resolve what I think is wrong and unfair treatment of a certain group of veterans by the government/VA. The results have always been fruitless. So I have to conclude with Mr. Strickland, he is right, there are some vets who are not appreciated.
Horst Hanak
Laurinburg