It was almost
un-American. As young men returned home from fighting in the Vietnam War, they
came back almost as though they were unwelcome.
Many see it as an
injustice that took place some 50 years ago. Today, some of those veterans are
facing another battle — one for benefits that come years after they served
their country overseas.
Last week, U.S. Sen.
Charles Schumer was in Dunkirk to call for the Office of Management and Budget
and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to stop playing games, end the years-long
dispute, and add new conditions to the Agent Orange presumptive conditions
list. “It’s an absolute disgrace to have our government say that you’re not
getting the benefits you’re entitled to caused by your brave service overseas,”
he said, noting 32,000 Western New Yorkers served in the war in the 1960s and
’70s.
Despite some noting
Schumer’s call as pandering, the reality is those who served in Vietnam have
faced health issues for years — some since they returned. All Schumer is
seeking is that these veterans, diagnosed with bladder cancer, hypothyroidism,
hypertension as well as “Parkinson-like symptoms” be eligible for help.
These soldiers gave their
time and service to our country while on foreign ground. This initiative
deserves support.
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