Veteran's Help - Nobody Cares!!!

     I fought on the front lines in Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm 1990-1992. (I can't remember exact dates) in Gulf War I.

     I was medically discharged from the Marine Corps on Dec. 24, 1992. My fight began with the VA in 1993 when I signed up for the Gulf War Registry. I've been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Tension Headaches, but my VA Doctor told me the only reason they diagnosed my two primary problems as that is because of the similarities in the symptoms, but he said that isn't what I have. If that is what I had, then they would know what to do, and how to treat it.

     At any rate this started a long fight between myself and the VA. I was losing jobs because of my medical problems and the time span between jobs grew further apart. The VA did however put me through a two year college although I had to fight "tooth and nail" for that benefit. But in the long run, it didn't help. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA and 100% perfect attendance (only because my teachers worked around my medical problems) hell, I was being pulled from my classes to go teach classes. But after I graduated, nobody would touch me. So being desperate for work I applied for anything and everything (and I do mean anything) for example I applied for an opening at a law firm to be a criminal lawyer. Had no law experience, but hey; they were hiring. I even applied for a job at the VA Hospital that was posted. The VA job had something to do with files and only a High School Diploma was required, they never called me and six months later the same job opening was still posted, I went to check on the opening again and the lady (HR) told me they've been looking for a long time to fill that position as she handed me an application. I told her I filled out the application for the job six months earlier and she told me I must not have met the requirements for the position. (Remember a High School Diploma)

     Anyway, I did finally get a job at a bowling center where friends of mine managed. They knew of my medical problems and reluctantly hired me. In fact it took almost eight months from the time I applied for the job until they finally hired me. I can't blame them it is a business regardless if they're my friends or not. But they finally hired me and they worked around my medical problems like a charm. Unfortunately I had to give the job up because of losing my third home and having to move back to Indiana with family.

     This was back on August 30, 2001 and since then I have not had a job. I've applied to fast food restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and temp agencies and noone will touch me. Through the VA I have attempted twice to complete a work assessment evaluation to prove whether I am employable or not and twice I haven't been able to complete the evaluation due to my medical problems.

     I have applied for SSI and currently waiting for their response (hopefully I get approved) and my fight with the VA continues. In the mean time I'm faced with an outstanding electric bill and a slightly late phone bill and being $100 behind on rent. This winter killed me, but what can you do with $455 a month (40%) when $400 of that is rent? My electric comes due and it averaged $114 a month give or take so I pay $55, then the next month it is another $114 give or take but I wasn't able to pay the phone bill the previous month so I pay the $55 to the phone company. Do you see the problem here?

     So over all since 1993 I have fought the VA "tooth and nail" for benefits I earned and deserve. In the process I have lost three homes, four cars, had my electric and phones shut off numerous of times and watched helplessly as my credit was totally ruined. I now face having my electric and phone turned off again and perhaps losing my fourth home all for the sake of honorable service for my country getting sick and hurt in the process.

     The only thanks we get is to be labled as liars and a big F-You. The government doesn't care if we go hungry or homeless, but by God they will quickly rush others off to war when needed. It isn't right; we were promised to be taken care of, instead we are pushed off to the side and looked on as beggars, but if we go off the deep end and start killing people, we are considered the a-holes and everybody is left with a question mark over their heads wondering why we flipped out?

     Our everyday citizen American doesn't know what we've gone through or going through and for the most part they don't give a damn unless it is a close friend of theirs. If I lose this home (my fourth) the everyday Joe will not give two cents because it is my problem not theirs. The fact I eat maybe once a day if I'm lucky isn't "Sally Jones" concern, she has her meals.

     I'm not a special case, it isn't like the VA said "Here comes Kenneth Niman, let's start a pilot program of how we can f--k these veterans over." I always said that a veteran can crawl on their belly to the VA missing arms and legs coughing up blood and the VA will tell them, you deserve this, this and that, but we aint giving it to you, you have to fight for it. I've heard other veterans with horror stories regarding their treatment by the VA; one told me how a VA representative said "You act as if we owe you something?"

     No, make no mistake; the VA owes us absolutely nothing, but this country owes us everything. I'm not saying we deserve a hand out or a "FREE" ride, but we certainly do not deserve to suffer like this. We deserve to have a place we can call home and to be able to pay our bills and have food on the table. We don't deserve to be told to get our TS Card stamped (Tough Shit).

     I can't speak on the behalf of other veterans because I don't know their stories or issues, but I do know mine and I can't provide for myself because of my honorable military service for this ungrateful country. The government turned their back on me, society turns a blind eye and deaf ears to our situations, but everybody loves their freedom. I'm not a special case, I know other veterans had similar experiences as I have and I know they too got the same treatment from both; our government and our fellow Americans.

     Not to sound greedy or anything, but take it for what it is worth. A kind thank you every now and then is great it really is, but it's not enough at times for many veterans especially disabled veterans.

Kenneth Niman