Breanna Lidtke is author of next 2015-2016 MLHS senior student editorial
Benefits for Those Who Defend our Country
After returning home from risking one’s life overseas, some soldiers need medical attention, money to go to college, or a home for their family. According to the website U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the benefits include “all the necessary inpatient hospital care and outpatient services to promote, preserve, or restore your health. VHA (Veterans Health Administration) medical facilities provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy”. These are benefits they were promised when they signed up to risk their lives for our freedom. Some veterans wait weeks, maybe even months, for their benefits, and some are worried those benefits could be taken away all together. Veterans did everything they could for us, and we need to do the same for them.
There are several reasons why people decide to join the military. Some go because for generations there parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles went. Many people see it as a way to get out of where they live and to see new elements in life. The pride someone gains when they know they are defending their country is also an indescribable feeling that could make people want to serve in the military. After veterans serve their country, they are promised many benefits that could take several financial stresses out of their lives such as a home loan, college expenses, free medical care and burial and funeral benefits. However, are all these benefits really all that they say they are.
I, myself, will be going into the military, and would like to have the stress off my shoulders knowing I will be able to receive all of these benefits after I risked my life. These benefits are still here today, but there has been talk about limiting them. Just like any other medical issue, it is expensive and some think that VA (Veterans Administration) clinics are an expense that could be cut back. The veterans that use those clinics wait sometimes months just to get an appointment. The government needs to find a solution to help them get the help they need in a timely fashion. Making other clinics or opening more VA clinics would possibly help but cutting back or getting rid of them would definitely not. There has also been talk about cutting back the amount of money veterans are offered for loans or if they should even get the benefits of loans anymore. The government should never have the option to take these benefits away from the people who are protecting everyone’s freedom. Veterans put us first, therefore, they deserve that we do the same for them.