Paul Davis: Veterans have earned better care than this

Published online on Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, Nov. 11 became a legal holiday in the United States in 1938.

In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring American veterans of all wars, declared and undeclared.

As we gather on Veterans Day to honor veterans past and present, watch the flag ceremonies and parades, how many of us know the ideals that each fold of our flag represents? Veterans know because these are the very ideals they fought and sacrificed to protect.

The first fold stands for liberty.

The second fold represents unity.

The third fold stands for justice.

The fourth fold symbolizes perseverance.

The fifth fold stands for hardiness.

The sixth fold stands for valor.

The seventh fold symbolizes purity.

The eighth fold represents innocence.

The ninth fold signifies sacrifice.

The 10th fold stands for honor.

The 11th fold stands for independence.

The 12th fold represents truth.

A veteran remembers what they fought to protect every time that flag is folded.

All veterans are owed nothing short of our absolute best efforts for the sacrifices they have made and endured on our behalf. "None Should Be Left Behind." Sadly, this is not the case today.

Veterans are faced with ever increasingly arduous and seemingly insurmountable obstacles to partake in the "American Dream" they sacrificed to protect.

On Jan. 5, 803,000 veteran claims were backlogged at the Veterans Administration. On May 4, the number of claims backlogged at the VA increased to 915,000. Claims processing averages six months if approved and up to four years if in appeal status. There is a clear increased risk of suicide among veterans caught in the backlog. Roughly, 150 to 200 this year will die by their own hand while standing in line awaiting help.

Traumatic brain injury. Veterans face a higher rate of suicide.

Veterans currently reported as homeless by the National Alliance to End Homelessness -- 195,827. The VA 2009 CHALENG Report states 131,000. The VA reports that twice as many veterans may actually be homeless annually.

The VA has funded a total of 10,400 beds for homeless veterans while needing 40,000 more for this year alone. In the face of the "Zero Tolerance for Veteran Homelessness Act of 2009, the sum total of the current effort is addressing approximately 5% of the veteran population in need.

Fiscal year 2010 recommendations and authorizations, totaling $224.9 Million would only amount to $4.70 per day per homeless veteran, and only 18,122 veterans could be adequately served or approximately 13.8% of the veteran population in need.

There is a 24% increase in totals of homeless veterans with families.

The VA has classified 1,049 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as being at-risk for homelessness.

19% of Iraq veterans screened positive for potential mental health disorders including post traumatic stress syndrome.

11% of Afghanistan veterans screened positive for potential mental health disorders including PTSD.

Peter Dougherty, director of the VA Homeless Veterans program, said in a telephone interview: "While the overall number of homeless veterans has been going down, the number of women veterans who are homeless is going up." Approximately 8,000 female veterans are homeless.

Between 2,257 to 4,514 female veterans are incarcerated in U.S. prisons.

The president of the United States has stated this situation is "simply unacceptable." What would you say? Veterans fought and died so we would not have to, regardless of what we believe. Honor must find its way back into the response to the needs of those who have honored us.