Desert Storm Diaries: Update Matt Letterman

Matt Letteman is now in the Air headed home to Missouri.  He was release today from the VA Hospital DC.  He was hospitalized from July 21 until today.  He got a world class Compensation and Pension Exam and he got a very complete testing which added to his known medical problems.  They were able to stabilize him and get him in better shape than he has been!

The people that were involved included every major department of the hospital.  The following people had the most direct contact and were instrumental in this success.

Ross Fletcher MD – COS VAMC
Patrick Joyce MD
Mitchell Wallin MD
Freidhelm Sandbrink MD
Mohammed Yaseen MD

The 2D Nursing Staff

Tara Parson-Grant Audiology

WRIISC Staff
Bonnie Benetato – Ph.D (Miracle worker)
Mian Li MD, Ph.D
Brenda Jasper M.Ed, PA-C (The Fixer)
Michelle Prisco MSN,ANP
Matthew Reinhard Ph.D
Kelly McCoy Ph.D

Dr Lee – Thank you for the world class C&P

WE know we probably didnt get every name of each department that saw and had a hand in improving Mr Letterman’s physical condition, all the other doctors that interacted behind the scenes, the nurses in managerial positions, the ER department, the physical Rehabilitation staff, the laboratory people, the diagnostic testing staff —almost every department there we want to recognize and thank them!  We want to recognize certain people at VA headquarters that also tracked his progress.  All deserve a Big Thank You!

More Thanks:

To Senator Bond’s staff who will continue to track Mr Letterman and help in resolution of his claim problem.  The American Legion service officer that has accepted his case to work to completion.

To the people that met Matt along the road into DC and assisted in any way.  To the Command post(The two Mike’s in Ky) set up to track Matt’s trip and keep him from being lost too much.  To the group of veterans that cared for their fellow veteran.  To the media that did the story from Ozarks First and to the TV station that did interview as he crossed from Illinois to Kentucky.  To the people that donated to help Matt and his five children.  That support will help him make it hopefully until his VA claim is done!

To the Desert Storm Veterans that have become family and reach out to help each other survive.

To Steve that put Matt up in his house and got him to medical care when he collapsed and was a cental point of contact.  To his grade school friend, song writer, singer Nancy and her family and friends, thanks for the Song The Forgotten Soldier.  To his friends and family back home he is headed home better than he was when he left!

To all the veterans and non veterans that read the stories and kept up with developments.  To the spouses of veterans, friends, and so many others that shared their prayers.

To the VA for making the tractor go home in order to protect this veteran from a set back after all their excellent work.  Yes the tractor is on the road too!

WE want to recognize all the work that was done.  It shows it can be done.  WE hope next time a gulf war veteran does not have to feel so desperate to put their life on the line to get care and attention not only for himself but for others.

If you are a veteran, please do not jump to do this.  AS I posted in March we lost a Gulf War Veteran doing a cross country event from Oklahome to DC, who died after three days after he reached Little Rock.  Yes you can die at home too but the truth is coming out that gulf war veterans are physically ill.

So please value your health, think stay alive!, because we need each of you on this earth for as long as we can be!  Your family, friends, fellow veterans, etc do not want to loose you!