In military service there is an old saying, “hurry up and wait.” When a veteran leaves the branch of service he or she served they have been promised by our politicians that they will be cared for. There are almost a million veterans who are waiting for what they rightfully earned serving our country. This doesn’t count those veterans who gave up trying, those veterans who committed suicide, those who are wandering our streets, or those who have died while waiting patiently for their benefits.
Sen. Patty Murray’s, D-Wash., last letter to me was I “need to be patient.” Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, has told me I “need to be patient.” Twice President Barack Obama personally contacted the Veterans Affairs regional office in Seattle on my behalf, and I get another letter stating each time I “need to be patient.”
My medical problems occurred in the 1960s in the U.S. Army. I finally won my case in 2007 but even with the Disabled American Veterans in Seattle helping me I still haven’t received my Statement of Cases. So I have hired another lawyer so I can file another appeal. I have been “patient” for 50 years and to me that is criminal. Every veteran in need deserves at least an answer.
Marlin Dunlap
Vancouver
