On Veteran's Day I made a post about our gov't's broken promises with which some of you took issue

[Stinky The Clown]

Some thought it disrespectful to vets that I cited our government's - our country's - pattern of broken promises.

You can see who and why some took issue. That thread is here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=9535502

Today, on the radio, I heard the story cited and linked below . . . .

Working up a sweat, and helping veterans
November 13, 2010 - 1:27pm

MCLEAN, Va. - The Tysons Sport & Health club was full of people helping out Wounded Warriors by working up a good sweat.

More than 20 Sport & Health clubs across the D.C. area were participating in "Sweat for a Vet," an event co-sponsored by the health club and Project VisAbility, that will raise funds to buy equipment that will assist in physical rehabilitation efforts at Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center.

The Tysons club hosted the primary event, three hours of indoor cycling and kranking, with a live video feed playing at the other participating locations.

Debbie Miller, founder of Project VisAbility, a non-profit that promotes inclusive fitness, says making exercise available to wounded warriors give them a chance to get back into sports "which generally gives on a sort of inspiration to get back into life.

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=2117346

I think the people doing this are wonderful. I commend them, each and every one of them. I have no criticism of them whatsoever.

But why does the need for what they do even exist? Why? Why do people need to hold bake sales to buy rehab equipment for Walter Reed Hospital?? Can anyone explain that? Is our government now a charity??? Who is withholding the funds the government ought to be spending on this gym equipment. Who is doing that?

This is just one tiny example. Every night, over 100,000 vets are sleeping on the streets, homeless. The homeless problem in the US is massive. Those hundred thousand or so are a drop in the bucket. So why are they homeless? Why isn't there funding to take care of the vets who need it?

People are holding bake sales to fund veteran rehab. How wrong is it that we have to do such things? It is simply a travesty. Yet that is where we are.

A bake sale.

By the way. The Wounded Warriors is a private organizartion working to help severely wounded vets. Again, praiseworthy. But why? Why do we need them? This is the job for the government, for We The People.

[Solly Mack]

1. Didn't offend me or mine.

[EFerrari]

2. K&R

[phantom power]

3. I think the same thing every time I see "boxtops for education"

The very fact that there is a need for "boxtops for education" in our country should be an embarrassment to every citizen.

[leftstreet]

4. "It'll be a great day when our schools get all the money they need....

K&R

[Angry Dragon]

5. It is just like the people that are against abortions

All these groups that would kill to stop abortions
don't care about the baby once it is born.
Their work is done, time ti stop the next abortion.
The people that wave the flags fiercely and say they
support the troops only care about the troops as long
as they are troops. Leave the service, you have served
your purpose, time to wave the flag some more, you are on
your own.

[madrchsod]

6. we are a nation of beg-a-thons...

it makes people feel good about giving or volunteering and that`s a good thing but it should`t be the ultimate answer. the cost of the war on the iraqi and afghan people could cost more on the than the korean and vietnam war combined.

and what for? oil and natural gas pipelines?

[Greyhound]

7. What an inconvenient observation you've made there, Stinky. K&R.

Who would unrec this?
:eyes:
:kick: & R

[xchrom]

8. Recommend

[LiberalFighter]

9. I wonder about so many things like this.

Vets, schools, police, fire. All are suppose to be paid with our taxes.

At work I would especially feel parents of school kids were out of bounds when their kids didn't attend schools in the same city or neighborhood schools when they were trying to sell candy or other fundraising products.

[jimamily]

10. HAPPY VETERANS DAY 2010!!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY 2010!! Help veterans and all those who have served our country so well find jobs today! Please spread the word. Take 2 minutes and click on our page and use the "Suggest to Friends" button on the left to invite all your friends to help veterans find jobs! www.facebook.com/chooseveterans, and www.chooseveterans.com

[Stinky The Clown]

14. The DC Metro system is holding a job fair next Friday specifically for vets.

Open house on Nov. 19 to recruit service members for Metro jobs

Metro will hold a Military Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, to actively recruit retired, former and transitioning military service members for employment at the transit agency. The open house will be held on the lower lobby of Metro’s headquarters at 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Some of the positions Metro is looking to fill include mechanics with electro-mechanical, electronics and HVAC experience; communications and high/low voltage technicians; Maintenance Operations Center supervisors with rail interlocking, track circuitry and troubleshooting experience; engineers; and rail traffic controllers.

Metro uses various sourcing strategies to attract a broad and diverse pool of qualified applicants to fill vacancies. In the past, the military services have proven to be reliable sources of high caliber employees.

The open house is intended to position Metro as an attractive option for transitioning military members seeking employment and to recognize and honor veterans for their support of Metro and service the United States.

Veterans interested in attending the open house or employment at Metro should email their resumes to [e-mail]. Special assistance will be provided for disabled veterans attending the event. Attendees should bring their military identification and DD 214 if possible.

http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4736

[Catherina]

11. The greatest disrespect is to ignore their true situation and continue the vicious cycle

Stinky, if no one told you they love you today, consider yourself told. Rec'd

[Brickbat]

12. By holding fundraisers for vets, old people, and people without health insurance,

it allows people who don't want to participate in such things through taxes to feel superior. I know, I know -- I don't know how that works, either.

[chill_wind]

13. K & R. n/t