For a recheck, a cbc + blood draw a few days after my cardiac event. I sat, purposefully, along side a broken old man. A US Army div hat on his head. The unit # and Saigon Vietnam lettered above the brim of the black hat

I discussed these very issue with this feller.
In his wheel chair. Missing a foot. Squinting to focus his vision. He told me his name was wolf, a nickname, bc when the staff called him. It was "Timothy such & such" that the receptionist called. Before he was called, Wolf told me after I pressed. Of when he was evicted from the giant brick hotel/ VA home for disabled vets that still sits rotting in Silverton Idaho. Built new and staffed complete in 1978. Materials used to last a century +. Wolf told me the place was very good. But closed in the early 90's.

It was built on cheap land. Using right to work state labor. And it was considered upon its completion. Gold standard disabled vet govt housing.

Wolf said there was already a waiting list in '77 when he was prioritized for a room bc he was from the area and had multiple amputations. I hadn't noticed when I sat down. It wasn't just his left foot missing. It was his left arm from elbow down and his left ear. He showed me the scars on his neck. He didn't care to discuss the cause.. talking with him further. He has been homeless on and off for the past 25 years. And now he is frustrated by all of the technology he must use to access the va benefits available.
I gave him my phone number on a biz card. Told him. If he needs a meal, a bath or a bed. Call me anytime. If he just wants to chat. Ring me up. I emphasized id like to help however I can.
I have not heard from wolf since.

Wolf thanked me. He was a happy & Proud man that morning I talked with him. I had to press him a bit to get his story.. it was obvious to me. Wolf was trying with his might to maintain dignity within a system that yanked him out of the N. Idaho silver mine and tossed him into a jungle on the other side of the globe back in 1968. A 20 year old that was happy, had a fiancee when the draft uprooted his life. When he was wounded in 71. His fiancee helped him for a while. But eventually, wolf landed in the VA home for amputees.

The last few days, I've been working on that letter I pasted above. I hope you too are disgusted by wolfs mini bio.

"Use em, abuse em, & lose em" has to stop!
( Wolfs laughing motto concerning veterans care in the USA, not mine.

I'll step off my soap box with this closing message. A magnetic ribbon on the tail gate of your truck is not supporting veterans. It is supporting the all too common grift that steals your empathy away from men similar to wolf. Placates your capitalist mind.

Supporting our veterans means action. Voices!! A refusal to accept the VA's/ USA GOV's - unspoken motto. "Use em, abuse em, & lose em"

God bless the USA my ass!

Jesus weeps!!!!

✌️