The Veteran Thread

[Tommi]

I sit here watching it live on CNN.

Tears stream down my face for those who know, and those who do not. For those who ended their careers and their lives for coming out in the military.

For those who fought for this for years, and for those that have risen above and know our truth. Now we can serve openly and proud.

Honorably Discharged, but by the grace of God.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Tommi

I sit here watching it live on CNN.

Tears stream down my face for those who know, and those who do not. For those who ended their careers and their lives for coming out in the military.

For those who fought for this for years, and for those that have risen above and know our truth. Now we can serve openly and proud.

Honorably Discharged, but by the grace of God.

I couldn't have said it better, Tommi, thank you!!!

I wholly share your thoughts and sentiments on this important day. I am keeping, in my thoughts, all the good Marines and Sailors (and Airmen, Soldiers and Coasties), especially, whom I knew, who lost careers and lives to an unfair and discriminatory policy. I hope they can all find some kind of resolution and peace that another good Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine or Coastie won't have to endure and lose what they did.

Semper Fi......for ALL of us.



~Theo~

[theoddz]

For those of us who didn't know until now, Major Richard "Dick" Winters, who commanded Easy Company, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101 Airborne, passed away at age 92 this past January 2. He and the story of the heroes of Easy Company during WWII was immortalized in the HBO series "Band of Brothers".

Even though this very celebrated unit was so highly profiled with this wonderfully done miniseries, I think it's important that we all remember that these guys were just a handful of the men and women who so proudly served before us in our nation's wars and yes, even in peacetime. One of my most favorite and memorable quotes from this series was spoken in narrative in the episode called "The Last Patrol". I have remembered these words so often, over the years, as I've worked with so many of these wonderful, proud Veterans at the VA.

"How could anyone ever know of the price paid by soldiers in terror, agony and bloodshed if they'd never been to places like Normandy, Bastogne or Haguenau?" --- spoken by David Webster, Band of Brothers.

You know, you could almost substitute the words of "Normandy, Bastogne or Haguenau" with almost any location where soldiers have given so much, including and up to the ultimate sacrifice.

So, here's to Major Dick Winters. May he and the so many others who passed before, rest in peace.



~Theo~

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by theoddz

For those of us who didn't know until now, Major Richard "Dick" Winters, who commanded Easy Company, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101 Airborne, passed away at age 92 this past January 2. He and the story of the heroes of Easy Company during WWII was immortalized in the HBO series "Band of Brothers".

I have to blame Goofy for my watching this show at all. He kept talking about it. I finally had to see what he was all about.

It was incredibly well done. I noted Maj. Winters passing and felt both sad and proud. His group's tale made the horrors of WWII real for me. My best friend's g-father was on the beach at Normandy and survived. He still has effects from that.

[theoddz]

I found out, a few days ago, that my mother's brother, my 87 year old Uncle Bud, a WWII Veteran of the U.S. Army (European Theater), made it to Washington, DC, on an Honor Flight, to see the WWII Memorial on the National Mall. He was escorted by my cousin, Kathy.

I'm so very proud of him and even happier that he got a chance, in his lifetime, to see the memorial dedicated to him and the other servicemen/women of his generation who fought and won a World War on 2 fronts. They are, indeed, The Greatest Generation.

For those not familiar with the Honor Flight, you can find more info on this at:

www.honorflight.org



Semper Fi,
~Theo~

[Tommi]

VA Directive Issued on Respectful Delivery of Healthcare to Transgender and Intersex Veterans

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has issued a Directive to all of its facilities establishing a policy of respectful delivery of healthcare to transgender and intersex veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system or are otherwise eligible for VA care. The Directive reiterates that under existing regulations sex reassignment surgery cannot be performed or paid for by the VA and that all other medically necessary healthcare for transgender veterans is covered, including transition-related care such as hormones and mental health services. It also indicates that all VA staff must provide care to transgender patients "without discrimination in a manner consistent with care and management of all Veteran patients." (Directive on www.va.gov )

By setting an example of how healthcare providers in both the public and private sector should be treating transgender patients, this Directive is an important first step in securing equal access for transgender and Intersex veterans, and healthcare access for transgender people generally.

[cane]

Served in the Swedish army (as did all men in Sweden, unless you had a medical reason, or some other reason for not being able to).
Served as Kustjägare, which translated would be Coast Hunter or Hunter of the Coast, part of both army and navy, and like a Marine this is someting I Am, for life.