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Vet's Benefits

By Harold Trainer

I am a Vietmam era veteran. In May President Obama signed a new law for veterans care. One which would create an extensive program for caregivers of post 9/11 veterans injured in the line of duty. This includes money, health care, education and other benefits for caregivers.

However, the caring for veterans of previous wars like Vietnam or the Gulf War are not included in these important benefits. No money, education or health care for these caregivers. Congress debated equal treatment to all veterans but they determined it would cost too much. So they said no.

The inequity is angering many veterans locally and nationally. You don't set one generation of veterans against another. If you are going to send our men and women to war you need to pay the total cost for them. For Obama and congress to leave the Persian Gulf kids and the older vets out is wrong. Are they any less than the Iraq vets? Basically, you have to run a nursing home for many of our veterans and that costs a lot of money. Most veterans cannot afford it.

When we challenge our young men and women to put on a uniform and risk their lives for our country the country needs to take care of those who answer the call. I urge everyone to let our government know that you believe all veterans should be included in this new law so that all can receive full caregiver services. If we can afford to send them to war we can afford to take care of them.

Harold Trainer is a retired Air Force Officer and Vietnam Veteran and lives in Prospect Kentucky. He is an adjunct instructor of Business at Jefferson Community College.