By Art Garcia, Contributing columnist
Well, friends, let me give you an update on what has been going on with my veterans disability check. Remember, I’m the guy who got his check stopped a couple of years ago because the government said I had a warrant in California. Well, seems that warrant was dismissed or rather discharged back in October 2004, right about the time my checks stopped.
Anyway, everything has been cleared up, or so I thought. The VA said they had stopped the proceedings for awhile because they didn’t have the paper work to show the warrant was cleared – even though I showed them one back in May. Seems it wasn’t the right paperwork. They wrote and told me this around August 2006. They also said they could take care of it over the phone. Well, I sure know better now. They have lied to me. They continue to lie.
The beginning of December I went to the federal building myself and called the California Department of Corrections and got my warrant problem straightened out – or so I thought again. They now tell me it could take another 60 days. I mean, come on people. Ten months for a check that in reality should have taken probably as long as it has taken me to write this article.
Know why I say this? Because the person that stopped my check informed me that as soon as I had gotten the warrant cleared, call her and she would start it right up. Well, know what, ol’ friend? You guessed it. There is no way to get in contact with this fine person any longer. It used to be allowed. However, that made things much too easy to get our checks. Heaven forbid we should be allowed that luxury!
You see, friends, it sure seems to me that somebody, somewhere is telling these people to make it as miserable and long to receive what we have rightfully owed to us, that maybe, just maybe, we will give up. I’m sure there are some vets who do just that – give up, I mean. However, here’s one that is too damn stubborn to give in. Besides that, I need the money. Isn’t that quaint?
You see, this problem we veterans are having isn’t only our problem. I truly believe this is all of ours: yours, mine and your neighbor’s next door.
I mean, we are all Americans. I joined the marines because I loved my country. I wanted to do my part for being allowed to be part of a great nation. Having said all of that, I feel somewhat cheated. I mean, I believe I’ve done my part. Now it’s time for Uncle Sam to do his.
As I said we are all in this together. Is this how you want your government to treat disabled homeless vets? I think not. This is a reflection on us all. If any of you readers out there have any pull with the Veterans Administration, please contact me at the Street Roots office or e-mail me. Thank you for your time once again.
Semper Fi!
