I have to say that I am super frustrated with the world that I live in. When I graduated high school I had no intentions in joining the military. But 4 months later I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After 6 months of Boot camp and training, I volunteered for a 3 month trip to Australia for Exercise Tandem Thrust.
Over the next 6 years I took several more trips to all over the United States and the world. So, all together I spent 8 years in the Marine Corps. All be it that the majority was in the Reserves, but once a month and at the very minimum two weeks out of the year.
My frustration is this, I asked for assistance from my local VA for heating oil, since it's so stinking expensive, and they told me since I was not on Active Duty, I wasn't eligible for help. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. At any time I could have been activated just like my counter parts and shipped over seas. And in all reality about two months after my Honorable discharge, my unit was sent over to Afghanistan and they have been twice for a year at a time each.
So here I am, a proud Veteran in my eyes who served in the most Elite fighting force known to man, and I get nothing paid back, but an occasional thanks.
You know the worst thing about it, I can't write to my congressman, because it's Jean Schmidt. And she is just ignorant and I have no trust in her what so ever. Especially after making comments about the Marines.
So, I guess I can write my Senator. But that will probably fall on deaf ears too. We shall see. Just wanted everyone to see how our government really treats the Men and Women who volunteer for service in our United States.