many wear the uniform

[Bob]

AP: More POW claimants than actual POWs - Military- msnbc.com More POW claimants than actual POWs
Some of the recipients of POW benefits apparently don't deserve them
Too Many POWs
Navy fighter pilot and Vietnam POW Paul Galanti stands in front of the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Va., on March 13. Galanti, who spent nearly seven years in North Vietnam's infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison, serves on a Department of Veterans Affairs advisory committee on POWs.
View related photos
Steve Helber / AP



Prisoners of war suffer in ways most veterans don't, enduring humiliating forced marches, torture or other trauma that may haunt them long afterward. In partial recompense, the government extends them special benefits, from free parking and tax breaks to priority in medical treatment.

Trouble is, some of the much-admired recipients of these benefits apparently don't deserve them.

There are only 21 surviving POWs from the first Gulf War in 1991, the Department of Defense says. Yet the Department of Veterans Affairs is paying disability benefits to 286 service members it says were taken prisoner during that conflict, according to data released by VA to The Associated Press.

 

[Alan Osborne]

Don't judge too quickly

AP: More POW claimants than actual POWs - Military- msnbc.com More POW claimants than actual POWs
Some of the recipients of POW benefits apparently don't deserve them
Too Many POWs
Navy fighter pilot and Vietnam POW Paul Galanti stands in front of the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Va., on March 13. Galanti, who spent nearly seven years in North Vietnam's infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison, serves on a Department of Veterans Affairs advisory committee on POWs.
View related photos
Steve Helber / AP



Prisoners of war suffer in ways most veterans don't, enduring humiliating forced marches, torture or other trauma that may haunt them long afterward. In partial recompense, the government extends them special benefits, from free parking and tax breaks to priority in medical treatment.

Trouble is, some of the much-admired recipients of these benefits apparently don't deserve them.

There are only 21 surviving POWs from the first Gulf War in 1991, the Department of Defense says. Yet the Department of Veterans Affairs is paying disability benefits to 286 service members it says were taken prisoner during that conflict, according to data released by VA to The Associated Press.

Can't defend this, but from personal expierence with the VA my opinion is they are broke. I draw a full retirement for almost 22 years of Military service. I have retirement orders, A DD214 that documents my service, but for the last two years I have been fighting with the VA just to get my service documented. I not filing a new claim, I just want my records straight. Problem is the VA's computer is sure I'm wrong even though the DOD's computer pays me a retirement check every month for that same service. Explain that and I'll applaud.
Alan

 

[Bob]

post traumatic stress syndrome is the biggest gravy train

 

[scooterbug44]

post traumatic stress syndrome is the biggest gravy train

Bob, have you had any experience dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome in military personnel?

Calling it a gravy train is so far from the truth it's ridiculous. :angry:

 

[traderx]

My Father was royally messed up in war. He was treated like sheet by Republican administrations and finally with a Dem administration, the VA recognized his physical sacrifice. Pubs want a strong military but tend to abandon veterans after they come home from war. Dems treat veterans with respect.

 

[Bob]

Bob, have you had any experience dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome in military personnel?

Calling it a gravy train is so far from the truth it's ridiculous. :angry:

there are many who obviously have the syndrome, and there are those working the system, just as some vietnam vets claimed injury from agent orange when they were not injured. it's a gravy train for the liars.