My days are filled with listening to the stories of veterans who have offered to give testimonials to help keep our VA in our small community of Hot Springs. My nights, once again, are disturbed by the images of those stories. It is dejavu from the two years I spent interviewing firefighters and evacuees from the Alabaugh Fire and writing their accounts in Cascade of Flames.
Some of the interviews are lengthy and because of our time limit on getting everything together, I may take a break from this blog. I want to give my full attention to the task at hand, which is trying to keep our VA from relocating to a less peaceful setting, and with less benefits for the veterans.
Perhaps I will turn to this as an escape. We will see what the next few weeks bring. If the blogs do not appear, know that I am otherwise occupied with joining our community and our veterans in a common cause.
I read that 18 veterans each day returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are committing suicide. Our VA is one of the best facilities in the United States for treating PTSD and addictions. We are trying to save it, and grow it, to help each and every veteran who needs the help they deserve. Cut backs are not meant for those who gave their service, some for two or more tours, so the rest of us could enjoy the benefits of our freedoms.
See, once I start this blog, I go on and on, and I am due for an interview. So long for a while.
Please check out our web site: http://www.theveteranstown.com/
VETERANS FIRST VETERANS FOREVER WE CARE FOR THEIR CARE
SAVE IT! GROW IT! HOT SPRINGS VA
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
We Will Make a Very Loud Noise!
"This will be a very intense few months, and the situation is very complex and fluid. But with all the talent and single mindedness of this community, we will make a very loud noise!
Thanks for all you've done, and will do!"
Bob Nelson
The above words from Bob were sent out to all of us who signed up to work on a committee to help our veterans keep our VA hospital in Hot Springs. The energy and determination flowing through this community is contagious, inspiring and heart-warming. We care about our veterans and want to keep the highest quality medical services available to them.
I have signed up on the public relations committee, and part of my role is to interview veterans who are using our Hot Springs facility. At this point in time I have interviewed several veterans and am scheduling others. Some of these veterans are reluctant to talk in public and I hope to be a bridge for them to the Veterans Administration. Their stories are clear, strong and poignant. It wasn't long ago that I interviewed people involved in the Alabaugh Fire of 7-7-7. Their stories affected me strongly, at times in a disturbing way, but mostly they moved me and became a powerful influence on who I am becoming.
I knew from my first interview that the voices of the veterans will touch me in a similar manner. For that I am grateful and proud to be a part of this endeavor.
Check out our new web site at http://www.theveteranstown.com/
Thanks for all you've done, and will do!"
Bob Nelson
The above words from Bob were sent out to all of us who signed up to work on a committee to help our veterans keep our VA hospital in Hot Springs. The energy and determination flowing through this community is contagious, inspiring and heart-warming. We care about our veterans and want to keep the highest quality medical services available to them.
I have signed up on the public relations committee, and part of my role is to interview veterans who are using our Hot Springs facility. At this point in time I have interviewed several veterans and am scheduling others. Some of these veterans are reluctant to talk in public and I hope to be a bridge for them to the Veterans Administration. Their stories are clear, strong and poignant. It wasn't long ago that I interviewed people involved in the Alabaugh Fire of 7-7-7. Their stories affected me strongly, at times in a disturbing way, but mostly they moved me and became a powerful influence on who I am becoming.
I knew from my first interview that the voices of the veterans will touch me in a similar manner. For that I am grateful and proud to be a part of this endeavor.
Check out our new web site at http://www.theveteranstown.com/
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Off and Running
Emails are flying, phones are ringing and meetings are being held. The town of Hot Springs and the surrounding areas of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Nebraska are up in arms. We are determined to go up against Washington to persuade them not to close our wonderful VA hospital and Domiciliary.
The veterans of this country have given their best years to protect our freedoms and they deserve to keep what they have. They do not want to be sent to regular hospitals, even if closer to their homes. They want, and have earned the right to be treated in comfortable surroundings, staffed by medical people who understand the needs of veterans.
Many suffer physical injuries along with PTSD, both of which may require lifetime treatment. They are asking to have their medical needs provided in the manner in which they can survive, and perhaps, even thrive, in a peacetime environment.
We know of too many stories of returning veterans who have not received the help they needed to adjust to civilian life. They have lost their jobs, families, and even their lives. What a sad statement on the lack of adequate or timely care that our country has provided for them. We ask them to serve, but are gradually taking away our service to them.
Many of our veterans have difficulty expressing their needs to others, especially in a group setting. We, as a community, are helping these veterans to find a voice in Washington. The veterans who can express themselves are fighting another battle. They fought in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, Iraq or Afghanistan. Now they are fighting the heads of the veterans administration to keep what this country should be able to afford for these men and women who have returned with scars, mental and/or physical, that can last a lifetime.
Our veterans in this area are asking that they can still be treated at the VA hospital in Hot Springs. They know that it is the finest program in the United States for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment for PTSD. The government owns the land in which they can build new facilities with less expense than building at a new location in Rapid City. The veterans appreciate the tranquility of this small community, located in the beautiful setting of the Southern Black Hills. Hot Springs has always been known at the Veteran's Town, the town that accepts and cares for veterans. Veterans come first with us. They, and we, are family.
The veterans of this country have given their best years to protect our freedoms and they deserve to keep what they have. They do not want to be sent to regular hospitals, even if closer to their homes. They want, and have earned the right to be treated in comfortable surroundings, staffed by medical people who understand the needs of veterans.
Many suffer physical injuries along with PTSD, both of which may require lifetime treatment. They are asking to have their medical needs provided in the manner in which they can survive, and perhaps, even thrive, in a peacetime environment.
We know of too many stories of returning veterans who have not received the help they needed to adjust to civilian life. They have lost their jobs, families, and even their lives. What a sad statement on the lack of adequate or timely care that our country has provided for them. We ask them to serve, but are gradually taking away our service to them.
Many of our veterans have difficulty expressing their needs to others, especially in a group setting. We, as a community, are helping these veterans to find a voice in Washington. The veterans who can express themselves are fighting another battle. They fought in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, Iraq or Afghanistan. Now they are fighting the heads of the veterans administration to keep what this country should be able to afford for these men and women who have returned with scars, mental and/or physical, that can last a lifetime.
Our veterans in this area are asking that they can still be treated at the VA hospital in Hot Springs. They know that it is the finest program in the United States for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment for PTSD. The government owns the land in which they can build new facilities with less expense than building at a new location in Rapid City. The veterans appreciate the tranquility of this small community, located in the beautiful setting of the Southern Black Hills. Hot Springs has always been known at the Veteran's Town, the town that accepts and cares for veterans. Veterans come first with us. They, and we, are family.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
It's midnight in the Black Hills of South Dakota. My husband and I spent a quiet night bringing in the new year. We greeted friends who stopped by on their way back to the Twin Cities and cozied in for the rest of the day with good books and some TV.
Before we say goodnight to 2011 I want to wish my readers out there a very happy new year. I know that friends and family read my musings, but I also want to send my best wishes to the unknown people from the United States, Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Romania, Malaysia, Latvia, and any where else in this increasingly small world we live in, who spend a few minutes reading the ramblings of this old gal in the small town of Hot Springs, a few miles south of the well-known Mount Rushmore.
I think of you when I sit down to put my thoughts into this blog. I wonder who all of you are, what you are feeling, thinking and hoping. I would love to hear from more of you by way of my email or comments. I would like to know if we are on the same wave length on some issues, or if we differ on our view of the world we share. It is strange to think that someone from so very far away can be so close to my thoughts each week.
I am sending my best wishes to all of you, wherever and whoever you are. May some of your dreams come true and may you find hope, love, forgiveness and fulfillment in the brand new year of 2012.
Before we say goodnight to 2011 I want to wish my readers out there a very happy new year. I know that friends and family read my musings, but I also want to send my best wishes to the unknown people from the United States, Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Romania, Malaysia, Latvia, and any where else in this increasingly small world we live in, who spend a few minutes reading the ramblings of this old gal in the small town of Hot Springs, a few miles south of the well-known Mount Rushmore.
I think of you when I sit down to put my thoughts into this blog. I wonder who all of you are, what you are feeling, thinking and hoping. I would love to hear from more of you by way of my email or comments. I would like to know if we are on the same wave length on some issues, or if we differ on our view of the world we share. It is strange to think that someone from so very far away can be so close to my thoughts each week.
I am sending my best wishes to all of you, wherever and whoever you are. May some of your dreams come true and may you find hope, love, forgiveness and fulfillment in the brand new year of 2012.
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