Government should honor commitment to veterans

Published 6:11 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016

To the Editor:

Recently I went to the Veterans Hospital in Portland. The sign entering the approach to the hospital read “The Price of Freedom is Visible Here.” It certainly is!

People, men and women, with no limbs, eyes, numerous bodily injuries. It is appalling knowing the fact our veterans have been betrayed by our government officials not keeping promises/contracts. I joined the United States Marines in October 1969 with the promise of free health care for the rest of my life (for veterans honorably discharged).

George W. Bush could not even make his Army Reserve meetings in Texas. Didn’t have to. Daddy was a senator. No prosecution of deserting.

Long story short, vets have lost travel pay, payment for medications, etc. Horrible medical care. And by the way, vets have taken cuts in their benefits right and left. When is the last time a senator, congressman or president took a pay cut?

Tim Jewell

Kimberly