Support our troops and CLOSE WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER

[madison]

Unbelievable.


<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050825/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/base_closings_45;_ylt=AsHlP6LNuN.rAFQwUsh3mzZsbEwB ;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl" target="_new">news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050825/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/base_closings_45;_ylt=AsHlP6LNuN.rAFQwUsh3mzZsbEwB ;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl</a>

[JerryStopher]

{sarcasm} Bush really loves us veterans, doesn't he?

[Krista]

Its surely about money, but wouldn't it be better as well, if there were better facilities? I mean, Walter Reed is Historic, but if they can get better care somewhere else, why not?

[manskater]

Motherlode - I also thought from listening to some cable shows that this was to also create a more modern facility for the veterans.

[madison]

manskater,
How about they build some new facilities FIRST, and then close Walter Reed? Hard to know who to believe now, but it's good enough for presidents to get their annual physicals, so it can't be that bad. Also the location is worth millions+, so you do need to take that into consideration.

[manskater]

MOtherlode we have an administration that does everything backwards if at all so this is not a surprise. Hoepfully the war veterans do not suffer.

[JerryStopher]

They can take care of Congressmembers and Whitehouseoccupants at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. The problem with closing Walter Reed is that it's already operating at capacity, and Iraq war vets are not getting all they need, so taking it away is indeed a risk to them.

[missmarysgarden]

Walter Reed closing is to save $$$$ - period. My husband is a Benefits Adjudicator for the VA. No one has a clue how our veterans, from Korea to Iraq, are being lied to, recruited under false promises, dumped out of VA hospitals (if they are lucky enough to get a bed in the first place). How can people be so gullible or so deaf?? At the very time that the Bush administration was stepping up recruiting goals, justifying sending our National Guard members to Iraq, praising them for their courage, blah, blah, blah, he was pushing to cut veterans benefits and cutting the budgets for vet hospitals and other vet services. Why weren't people screaming? Or was their vision obscured by the "flag-waving?" Those of you who had an opportunity to vote in the last election will have an opportunity in the next election. Never forget. Our vet retirement home here just failed a surprise inspection because of filthy beds, unfed patients and safety issues. So if you are being recruited, and the recruiter is talking to you about all the great benefits, check it out. Ask questions. Get it in writing. Ask a vet how long they have to wait for an appointment. Ask how impoverished you have to be before you get a penny for retirement. Ask to tour a vet home. None of its good.