Take the Watch

Infantry squad members “stand lines”. This means that during hours of darkness 360 degree observation of the units perimeter are kept under observation by soldiers assigned a sector of the line. O.K. what’s it got to do with Vet issues today?

The United States has a bunch of new folks in Congress. They are going to cut spending and fix all the ills in America. O.K. EXCEPT for Vets. Yes, just Vets.

(Guys like me have not the time or resources to concern ourselves with others that have important issues too.)

I urge those who have an interest in benefits for Vets to “take the mid watch”. That is the watch in the middle of the night that interrupts anything like (rare) sleep. The mid watch is often the hardest. Eveyone takes the mid watch at some time in a well run squad.

Those who are concerned about Vet benefits must take the mid watch folks. Congress will attempt (in my view) to reduce, deny, review, redirect, change, modify, alter and generally screw up an already difficult to work with VA benefit system.

We have a reserve force. All is not gloom. The VFW, AMVETS, American Legion, DAV and other Vet organizations are a QRF on call for us. We have supporters in Congress too.

I know many men subjected to high explosive contact in Vietnam. TBI (to line grunts) was unknown. We thought they were “shell shocked”. Many of the young Vets have TBI. I know some that sit in their basements for days at a time. They don’t come out until they stabilize themselves. The young Vets have wives, husbands, children and others that count on their benefits. The Vets can’t work. Without governement benefits – well – the number of folks living under overpasses will increase.

We must be “on watch” folks. Members of Congress the federal bureaucracy and Excutive Branh must be held accountable.

I know Vets in their 60’s that “… go on partol…” when they go to sleep. It is a by product of warfare.

I urge you – take the mid watch.

Regards

Dale R. Suiter

Dale R. Suiter

Dale R. Suiter served in the United States Marine Corps June 1966 – February – 1970. He served with Ammo Company First FSR, 2nd CAG Q-6 and Q-3, H&S 81’s 3/9 and 1/3. His service “On the Rock” was with Ordanance Schools, Camp Hansen. Following the Marine Corp, he completed a career in public service – prison and jail operations. In addition, he completed a career as a reserve officer with the Michigan Army National Guard. His two sons and two sons-in-law are veterans of the war on terror. The family continues in service to the United States of America.