Vietnam,....FlashBacks with Flair

Thoughts on 9-11's 8th Remembrances

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:25:00 +0000

The sun shone brightly here in Indiana this morning, much like it did on that fateful day eight years ago. In New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, the sky was gray and shedding tears, fitting for the lasting grief of the Victims Families and friends.
I followed my usual traditions, a call to my friend Les, who called me that morning to tell me to turn on CNN, as someone had flown a small plane into the side of the World Trade Center. I saw the gaping hole, and smoke beginning to stream out from the North Tower, and immediately told him, "That was no small plane, I've been in that building, and only an airliner could make that hole". We watched for a while in silence, then Les said, "Who would do such a thing, and I said,"Usama Bin Laden", he said "who", and I answered, "The same asshole who blew up the USS Cole".

Later that evening, the Gang had gathered at the Pub. We were all in shock, and felt as though the nightmare would end soon, and would have been a mass hallucination. We talked about how our innocence as a nation, and our lives of taking our safety and freedom for granted were over. We decided that this was Our generation's "Day that would live in Infamy", as Pearl Harbor Day had been for our parents. Those of us who were Veterans wished to have our youth back, so we could enlist, and go kick some RagHead Ass.

The coming weeks renewed my faith in the younger generation, as thousands quit their jobs and schools to enlist, and to volunteer, or just to serve their Nation in whatever way they could. I knew that the togetherness, the unity and goodwill that followed 9-11 wouldn't last, but that renewed pride and patriotism were a joy to me during their short existence.

A few days before 9-11-01, my family had had a reunion, and all us Morgans gathered here in Mooresville, Indiana, and saw family from California, Florida, New York, and points all over America. When 9-11 happened, we all had each other to commiserate with about the attacks, and that was a comfort to us all, and I think the tragedy of the attacks actually brought us closer than did the reunion. Turns out, that no matter where we grew up, or what our politics were, all the Morgans are Patriots.

I'm going to end this, and ask All of You to share your memories, and tell us where you were 8 years ago today, thanks for responding, and God Bless America !

Navy Close-Order Drill, 2009 Style !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:18:00 +0000

One of the guys on the Vietnam Vet's Forum at "Classmates.com" posted this video, which shows some of the best rifle and drilling you could ever hope to see !
Click below to view it on Utube, There are some Marine Corps Silent Drill routines linked here too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgcGNDxuyoI

Welcome Home Brothers and Sisters !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:57:00 +0000

Hello, The post title refers to a New Group effort my Cousin Jeni and I are putting together on The Web. Originating from a Group she started on FaceBook, we now have a web page devoted to it which is linked to this Post's Title.
The basic Idea of the Group is to start a National effort to see that Every Returning Veteran from Iraq and Afghanistan, get a Huge Media-covered Welcome Home!
You Know, Like the ones We Never Got ??
Anyway, I would appreciate it if you would visit the site and check it out, maybe even click a link or two to make my sponsors happy ! Sign the Guestbook, and leave any comments you have, good or bad !
You know Me, and God knows I can take criticism ! LoL
____________________________________________________________________________________

Now, on a lighter note, My buddy TJ is running a GiveAway on his popular website.
The GiveAway is to promote the Start of his and his Son's new Store on Esty.com :
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6883788
They are selling his son's excellent Ceramics, and they are something to see, so click on this post's links to learn more and see some beautiful Ceramic Art Works. Thanks

Happy Independence Day Weekend !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:51:00 +0000

Like Most Patriots, This weekend of Cook-Outs and Fireworks is my very favorite. For many years after returning home, I had to view the local Fireworks display from a distance. The reason for that was that my "Startle Response" was so strong, that my body would automatically dive for cover. Needless to say, I couldn't be doing all that flinching and cringing in Public, so I would find an appropriately distant hillside to park on, and explain to my kids that I wanted to avoid all the traffic downtown. I found that if I was setting off the fireworks myself, or watching them be lit, I could anticipate the Boom, and not cower down reflexively !

I Love all the Flags on display, the Martial Music, the neighborhoods gatherings where folks that aren't that social year-round, can enjoy the company of their neighbors, and everyone can comment on how much the kids have grown, how bad the new mayor is, and other events around the "hood".

I'm going to enjoy this year's Celebrations all that much more than recent years, because We have a New President, our overseas allies are working with us again, and despite a serious recession and at least two wars going on, it seems that people are more optimistic now than any time in recent years.

I hope Your holiday weekend is a Glorious One, and that everyone you meet tells You, "Thanks for Your Service to Our Nation".
Thanks from me !

Saluting The “Greatest Generation” ‘09

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:24:00 +0000

I found this fascinating quote today:

As a Patriotic sort, I watch these events, and all the speeches every year, all that’s available. This year two major thoughts occurred to me; (1), The remaining Veteran’s who are able to make it to France is quickly declining each year. More are in Wheel Chairs and using Walkers each year. For every one of the Vet’s who are able to make it to these Memorial ceremonies, there are dozens who are spending the last days of their lives in Veteran’s Hospitals, Medicare funded Nursing homes, and other lonely places that are all Far Less than what these humble Heroes deserve., One veteran made it to France this year, left yesterday’s gatherings because he wasn’t feeling well, and died in his sleep last night. Sad, Yes, but in another sense, he died in close proximity to all those friends and strangers who strove for survival and Victory, those bloody days 65 years past. Even the least likely websites are saluting these Heros today, check out this first link, it is from a website called “TransBuddha, a stopover on The Road to Enlightment” : http://www.transbuddha.com/content/june-6th-1944/Saluting The “Greatest Generation” ‘09, Apr 2009

You should read the whole article.

As Vietnam Veterans, We grew up with the Veterans of WWII as our local leaders, teachers, and heroes. Thier successes were the stuff of legends, their few failures, sad proof of the terrors they endured. Now, 65 years later, the numbers of our heroes are sharply declining, and who's gonna fill the shoes of these, "The Greatest Generation ? "

"Secretary of War" Robert Gates on 60 Minutes

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:18:00 +0000

Yes, I realize there hasn't been a Secretary of War since the 40's, but that's what Bob Gates calls himself, and how he feels about his job.
I admire that!. He's got a point. His actions in recent months; cutting future weapons systems in his budget, concentrating his expenditures on safer vehicles for our troops in Afghanistan, along with better weapons for the battles being fought today.

He says that the Pakistani's have the troops and wherewithal to defeat the Taliban and Al Queda in the Northwest Territories, but he thinks they are hedging their bets. Keeping some doors open to the Taliban in Afghanistan, because they, (Pakistan), aren't sure we're going to win that war. I think that's unacceptable for a supposed ally, especially one who's taken Billions in Military and Financial Aid from the US since 9-11-01.

I was also impressed with Mr. Gate's statement that he has kept an account on every service man and women killed or injured since the day he took office. Asked by Katie Couric if he liked his job, he responded that because every troop in both Iraq and Afghanistan was someone he had sent there since taking office, that they were on his mind constantly, so there was no way anyone could like or enjoy that job. I hope he was doing a subtle slam of that 'Cowboy Rumsfeld', who seemed to be a "Happy Warrior" and never gave a damn about anyone he sent to die.

As one who remembers every "SecDef" since the disastrous Robert McNamara, and has even met and shaken hands with one, ( Paul Nitze ), (Whoops, Wiki just informed me he was only a Deputy SecDef), anyway,.. I met him when he was Secretary of the Navy, and was impressed enough to read several of his books and articles published both before and after he founded the "School for Advanced International Studies" at Johns Hopkins University. That school now bears his name, following his death in 2004, at age 97.

Sorry for the little detour, but for a "Cold Warrior", Paul Nitze was a moderate and rational man, much like Mr. Gates appears to be. I'm glad Bob Gates chose to stay on with the Obama Administration, and Glad Obama had the good sense to ask him to continue with the job he's done so well.

Comments anyone ?

Herman Helps an Officer !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Howdy, Glad to see Y'all,
I've been home for about a 10 days from my little mini-vacation to visit old friends in Bloomington,{IN}, and my Old Gray-Haired Mom in suburban Bethesda,MD.

While in Bloomington, I was made aware of just how damned Old I'm getting ! My nephew Ryan took me and my youngest Brother downtown to the College Bars, the area where we spent way too many years working in the bars, and chasing College Girls. What made me aware of advancing old age, was that all those little coed Hotties we used to chase, now look about 12 years old ! Plus, many act it too ! LoL

The next day we went down to the Elks Club with our Nephew and Bro'-in-Law, to visit with some extended family. While there, I met a new shipmate who was a retired Naval Intelligence Officer who served a lot of time in Southeast Asia when I did, and was still in the service when NISO became NCIS.

We were chatting over cocktails when the subject of the VA came up. Having been an Officer when he retired, he had a slightly different health care package than do we "4-and-Out" guys, but in the course of our conversation, I learned that he had 2 Purple Hearts, a couple of Silver Stars, and several other Combat Ribbons.

We started talking about pensions and stuff, and I was shocked to learn that he knew next to nothing about the "Improved Pension", hadn't ever applied for Compensation for his PTSD, and had never been told anything about his benefits by the VA.

At one point in our conversation, he said, "I've learned more from you in 15 minutes than I've known about through the VA in all the years since I retired !".
Well, for somebody trying to help my Brother and Sister Veterans, that was pretty cool to hear ! ( I damn near threw my shoulder out patting myself on the back! ).

That was a nice experience, and one I am going to work on, because the man gave me his email address, and I'm going to send him a lot of the links I've got here, and all the VA's links and phone numbers I've amassed over this 5 year ordeal to get my PTSD Claim approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, Another Subject

"HippyVet's Daily Opinion Blog" Launched !

Late last month, just before I took some time off, I began my first "Paid" Blog.
I learned about this new Blog Network through my Blogging Guru's Job Board at Pro-Blogger.com. These people were looking for Bloggers across a whole range of subjects, and I applied for one about Politics. Politics being the only thing in the world that I know as much about as I do Cooking and Bartending. This was not only an opportunity to increase my income from Google Adsense, but also a reason to focus on one subject, as I had planned to do with my Chef's Blogs before getting this job.

So, If you would like to check-out my newest efforts at Internet Success, please go to this link, and while you're there, leave me a comment or two, and maybe click on an Ad that interests you too. Thanks, Herman
_______________________________________________________________

Herman Presents "Spiders On Drugs"

Go Navy !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:33:00 +0000

I think the Whole World is in Awe of Our fantastic Navy Seals, who were able to take-out 3 of the 4 pirate / terrorists holding the American Ship's Captain hostage.
I'm also impressed that President Obama had no qualms about authorizing deadly force to deal with this scum.

Most people can't even imagine the precision marksmanship it took for those Seals, on one bobbing and rolling vessel at sea, to hit their targets on another, (much smaller), vessel, with even more motion on the high seas. The fact that they took all of the pirates out of play before they could shoot the Captain, is nothing short of miraculous ! The sad part of this tale is that there are still 200+ people, aboard several ships, who are still held captive in Somali territorial waters.

This is a country that has had No government or legal structure since the Clinton administration's ill-fated "Blackhawk Down" incident in the 90's. When we sent Cruise missiles in there to take out Bin Laden's chemical weapons factory, we should have followed up with a brigade or two of Marines, and put all those warlords on notice, that if we see you armed, you are dead meat !

By now, those innocent civilians would have some sort of leadership structure, and even if it were radical Islamists, even that would be better than what they have now !
After our horrible experience there, it's a small wonder that neither the United Nations, nor any African country has tried to bring a stop to the violence and anarchy that rules this sorry part of Africa, and that says a lot about the State of Courage and Principles in the 21st Century !

A Good Definition of PTSD

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Trauma survivors with PTSD often experience problems in their intimate and family relationships or close friendships. PTSD involves symptoms that interfere with trust, emotional closeness, communication, responsible assertiveness, and effective problem solving:

Loss of interest in social or sexual activities, and feeling distant from others, as well as feeling emotionally numb. Partners, friends or family members may feel hurt, alienated, or discouraged, and then become angry or distant toward the survivor.

Feeling irritable, on-guard, easily startled, worried, or anxious may lead survivors to be unable to relax, socialize, or be intimate without being tense or demanding. Significant others may feel pressured, tense, and controlled as a result.

Difficulty falling or staying asleep and severe nightmares prevent both the survivor and partner from sleeping restfully, and may make sleeping together difficult.
Trauma memories, trauma reminders or flashbacks, and the attempt to avoid such memories or reminders, can make living with a survivor feel like living in a war zone or living in constant threat of vague but terrible danger. Living with an individual who has PTSD does not automatically cause PTSD; but it can produce “vicarious” or “secondary” traumatization, which is almost like having PTSD.

Reliving trauma memories, avoiding trauma reminders, and struggling with fear and anger greatly interferes with survivors’ abilities to concentrate, listen carefully, and make cooperative decisions — so problems often go unresolved for a long time. Significant others may come to feel that dialogue and teamwork are impossible.
Below is a link to this really good, online stress reliever, try it out, just swirl your cursor around, and watch the beautiful graphics that result ! http://www.neave.com/imagination/

Hope you enjoyed it !

Slow FlashBacks to some Good Moments In Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:42:00 +0000

This story is about snack foods. That sounds kind of a strange subject for a Vietnam FlashBack, but Munchies were serious business over there. Even if you had regular access to a PX, (or as we call them in the Navy "The Commisary"), you could only find good munchies on the first of the month, and only them if you were above E-3, and got in the PX early.
So here we are at NAF Cam Rahn Bay, and the nearest PX to our base, and the Best in I-Corp, was the Air Force PX. So when Payday rolled around, off we would go, and if we went too early, we couldn't get in at all, because the Air Force and Army NCO's had first entry privilege. Plus, a lot of the Army guys were buying for their whole Platoon, or entire Company !
By the time we Swabbies made it in there, all the salty snacks, all the good candy, and even things like Vienna Sausages and Potted Ham were mostly gone. My personal favorite were these Planter's Cheese Balls, or Cheese Puffs, which came in a foil lined can, and didn't get stale and greasy on the slow-freighter from "The World".

So, I would often find myself on the Night Watch, with two or three aircraft full of hungry Pilots and Crew coming in, who would do their post-flight work, then adjourn to our ramp-side Beer Locker, and drink cold San Miguel, while bitching about how they were so hungry, they could eat the "North End of a Southbound Mule".

Not only was I hungry as well, but it was killin' my San Miguel buzz having to hear thier crap, or doing it myself if I'd been lucky enough to get some flight time that day.

Being an enterprising sort, I first tried to get some Air Force guys to buy me a buncha stuff, but that usually ended up with them selling it at thier barracks, and giving me my "script" back. "Script" was what we called the "Military Payment Certificates" we were supposed to use instead of American Currency, because the "Powers That Be" in Saigon were convinced that the "Red Chinese" were buying all this currency from the Hookers and bars, and were gonna flood the World with it, and devalue the dollar on the world market !
LoL, would those old boys shit if they knew the Chinese now own us fair and legal !

Anyway, back to "Munchie Quest 1966". So, I knew the Master Chief who was the supply guy at the NAS Mess Hall, and asked him if he had AnyThing we could have to eat after the Galley closed. A few days later he came out to my table at breakfast, and told me to come to his Office when I was done eating. In the hallway outside his office is this two-wheel dolly stacked high with cardboard boxes. He said "There ya Go, That outta shut them flyboys up fer a while !". Inside these boxes were like dozens of these huge oval can of Sardines, and the top couple of cartons were cases of Saltines.
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I took them with a smile :-}}

Back at the hootch, I opened a can of the Sardines, and those thing were Huge, Like 6 inches long, and packed in "Mustard Sauce". 2 or 3 of those big fish, and a fistful of crackers, all washed down with icy cold San Magoo, and we were fat and sassy !

So, that satisfied us for a while, then, about the time we were telling each other we would never eat another damn sardine in our lives, I found another munchie source !

Seems like word of my late night snacks was circulating among the Pot smokers, and these Army grunts approached me about trading some Stateside munchies for some of mine ! I was shocked and amazed, and wondered where they were getting their weed, 'cause ours sure wasn't making us that damn crazy !

Turns out that these troops were "Force Recon", small units that would go out-in-the-bush for a week, 10 days, two weeks. They needed stuff that was durable, and crush-proof, like canned sardines, and the Crackers were in Tin Boxes too. Perfect for surviving in a 90 pound pack, out in the rain, steam and streams, and the occasional flooded rice paddy. Plus, they said the Gooks always reeked of fish, so they'd fit right in ! ( B.O. as Cammo ? ).

All of a sudden, we've got cans of juilliene frys, cheese balls, rold gold pretzels, even the occasional Taco chip. My contributions to the beer fund had reached way beyond all the beer I could drink if I'd stayed ten years, so the Pilots and Plane Captains started saying, "stick that dough in your pocket Morgan, you've done enough for the Beer Locker", and I did !

Here I go,....Thinking Again !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:39:00 +0000

Hello Friends and Neighbors,
I've been busy these last few days. I bought my first Domain the other day. I purchased the name "CasualCommerce101.com, from the folks at Freeservers.net, who have hosted my subdomain, CasualCatering.freeservers.net since about 1999. I actually did a few gigs brought in by that site, and spent countless hours practicing my " HTML for Dummies " to build some pages from scratch.
Some A-hole had already snagged CasualCommerce.com, so I had to add the "101" to mine. That's cool, because I've spent a lot of time on Highway 101, having lived and worked there, as well as cruising, surfing and partying at various California beaches and towns of that address.

A couple of Posts ago, I mentioned that I was rethinking my blogging strategy, so after tons of reading, and watching informative videos, I've decided to go with the advice from many Quarters, and "Write what I know ".
That won't effect the intent, or content of this Blog, but it will mean that I'm rebuilding my old catering site, to offer recipes, cooking tips for singles and single parents, and generally realigning my advertising to reflect the subjects I know the most about.

Food, travel and politics, plus outdoor events planning and tavern kitchen consulting and management are a few of the subjects I know the most about, if I can blend some of them into 1 site, I can possibly make a living from it, or at least have one blog pay for the rest of my online endeavors !

So, stay tuned for more Vet's issues here, and while I'm at it, the "HadIT" link on a feed from here, is an incredible forum, full of Vet's and their spouses who have 'Been There, Done it, and Tie Died the T-shirt', so check them out too, because they have been around the benefits merry-go-round more than a time or too, and have probably forgaotten more than I know !
Don't take that as a put-down of my advice or knowledge, just get your advice from a variety of sources, and when You find what fits for your case, share it with us here ! Oh, and if you visit a site I link to from here, tell them where you found it !
Thanks Brothers and Sisters, Peace, Herm

Happy Saint Parick's Day !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Yes, It's the time time for the "wearin' of the Green", and the eating of the Cabbage, and time also for a great excuse to drink and party.
For most of my life, this was also one of my busiest days of the year!
Whether I was working in a Restaurant, Club, or Tavern, this is one of the most important days of the year.
In about 1976, my boss asked me to create an authentic Irish dish, something we could serve on St. Paddy's that was unique from all the Corned Beef and Cabbage that every other place in town served. I went to the library, and started looking at Irish cookbooks, and I found this Potato / Cabbage dish called "Concannon". It is basically sour cream mashed potatoes with the chopped cabbage mixed in, then baked into a tasty casserole.
Well, I've been making it every since, have shared it with people all over the country, and even people who hate the normal St. Paddy's Day fare, like this dish. One time, when I was off-work and sick on St. Paddy's, I had three ex-employer's, or their cooks call, and ask me to give them the recipe, before their customers all got mad and left, So, Yes, it's good stuff.

Now, I don't know what this has to do with Veteran's issues, except that the Military always celebrates Saint Patrick's with a cabbage dish at the Chow Hall, and green beer at the Clubs ! At least they did during my time of service, who knows, it may be politically incorrect these days, seems like everything fun is ~!

About My Week !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Well Friends, Brothers and Countrymen, my 1st check from Uncle arrived last Monday !
It was the most anticipated, and most needed check I've ever received. I went and borrowed my old truck, AKA "Whitey Ford", from my ex-partner/boss, and drove about 70 miles north of home, to where my bank is located. Why so far you ask ? Well, it was real convenient when I was delivering the RV trailers, and, the people there are so nice !
Even though it's part of a big National bank, I know all the tellers and managers, and they know me, and all their customers by name. That's way hard to find these days. Plus, the Branch Manager is an Iraqi Vet, and is also a Hot little Mom, who's as nice as she is smart ! Another rare combo !

I wish there were words to describe how nice it feels to have my rent caught-up, as well as my two Phone bills, and 5 credit card companies that have reminded me every day for four months that I'm over-limit and behind !

I have slept so well, that it's just unbelievable too. Since I've suffered with Insomnia as part of my PTSD, since 1968, getting 6 or 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep is very surreal.

Now, what have I done for my brother vets this week ? Well, not a lot actually, but I have been rolling some ideas around in my skull, about what I can do to make more people aware of this "non-service connected" Pension.
During the entire four years I was seeking my C&P for the PTSD, not one person ever mentioned this program to me. Like it was some inside secret !
I mean, not just the VA itself, but even my DAV guys who knew how desperate I was, ever said a word, or suggested I check it out ?
It was the "At Risk" Veteran's counselor at my local VAMC who told me about it, when I told her in October that I had to have a place to live besides my work truck before the snow started blowing in. She told me about it one afternoon, and within 2 hours, I had called the VA, spoken with a service officer, and filed for the pension over the phone ! Because Indy VA had all my medical and financial stuff on hand, he was able to do it all in about 20 minutes. WoW

So, if You are being dicked-around for your legitimate claim, and need some help to survive, call your Regional VA, and get help filing for this benefit. You've earned it !

ReDirecting My efforts Here.

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Hello Again Folks, I'm Proud to announce that I received my "Award Letter" for my non-service connected pension! Yes, applause is in Order! Yeah Me!
O.K. That said, I'm still determined to prove and qualify my PTSD claim. This pension is a rather temporary fix to my financial situation, and will also speed approval of my Social Security Disability. The problem with the "non-service connected Pension, is that it has an $11,000.00 cap on earnings, at which time you no longer qualify. With 100% rating on the PTSD, not only will I continue to get my health care for free, but will qualify for Glasses, Denture replacement, and lots of other things I can't afford to by from the public sector. Plus, there's no cap on earnings, so if I'm able to drive a pickup, and deliver RV's and trailers around the country, I won't lose my VA C&P checks, and can easily stay below the threshold of Social Security earnings.

Now; That said, I'm going to turn this blog onto a more informative and interactive forum. To do that I'm going to need feedback from every single visitor who finds something worthwhile here. I will be linking specific VA pages here, so that anyone can easily access the topic I'm talking about on that particular Post.
For example, this is the page where the Non-service connected Pension rates are discussed. That's today's subject, now, what if you want to learn about who qualifies for this pension? "Then I would link you to this page"

So, I hope whether you are a "Modern Combat Veteran" a fellow Vietnam Veteran, or even a Korean War Vet, I hope to have some interesting and helpful links here, and will attempt to post new materiel every couple of days.

Thanks Again for visiting, See Ya Soon, Herm

Poverty Sucks,.... But Sometimes it Pays !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:07:00 +0000

I'm Proud and Thrilled to announce, that after being rejected for four years by the Indy VA for my PTSD Claim, I just learned today that my "non-service connected" pension, that I applied for last October, was awarded last week, and will be retroactive to December. Although a percentage of disability rating isn't required to qualify for this "income-based" benefit, they still ask for a ratings officer to evaluate and approve the claim. So, in my case, they gave me 50% for my back, 20% for my GERD and Stress-induced Colitis, and 20% for Depression and Anxiety.
The Dirty MoFo's in Indianapolis could have given me these same ratings 4 or 5 years ago, but it was like they had a personal animus against me, and weren't giving me anything, regardless of what the experts at Battle Creek VA said, or what my Doctors at my "home" VA said.
Let me state right here, that I won't rest until there is a "top down" housecleaning in the Indianapolis Veteran's Administration, and all those bureaucrats who have screwed us Vietnam Vet's for decades will never lay a filthy hand on today's Noble Veterans !
They aren't fit to shine the shoes of the lowliest private in Iraq, and if I have my way, shining shoes will be the only job those losers will ever have when they are fired and denied Their Pensions !
The contempt I feel for those idiots is immeasurable, and after I attend the Battle Creek PTSD program in a couple of months, I'm going to personally take a copy of my diagnosis and care plan to them, and ask for the head jerk by name !
When that happy day comes, I will receive my back pay for at least three of the five years they've been denying me. What has galled me most, is that they, (Indy Va), have never once offered me Vocational Rehab, a stipend to keep me from becoming homeless last year, nada. On top of that, they repeatedly insulted me by saying " While you are a "Vietnam Era" veteran", when they had my DD-214 right in front of them, that states that my Vietnam Service medal is "Authorized to be worn with 3 bronze devices" for re-awards. They also never bothered to check my contention that my squadron recieved an "Air Unit Combat Citation" for the last tour I made with them, a tour that wasn't complete until a month after I came home for discharge. Now that I've got time for such things, I'll get my DD-214 corrected to contain that medal, and another one we earned in late '66 for "Gallantry" in combat. That one was probably for rescueing PRB and Swiftboat crews during "Operation MarketTime".
O.K., I hope a Brother Vet, or Sister Vet reads this Blog, and find some encouragment from my finally receiving the benefits I deserve. Keep trying folks, never give up, and never give in ! ( Thanks to John Mc Cain, for that slogan, as well as all he endured for our Nation's honor.)
Peace & Love be Yours, Herman

ReThinking My BlogoVerse !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:46:00 +0000

In recent days, I've been Stumbling around the Web, Reading other people's Blogs. I've paid particular attention to the ones that deal with two of my favorite subjects: Writing & Politics.
Now some of the folks I've visited are long-time Pro's at this writing about politics thing. People like Michelle Malkin, who's views I seldom share, but who I always enjoy reading. Even though she works for "Faux News" I still admire Michelle's straight-shooting, no nonsense style.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not putting myself on a plane anywhere near people like her, I've got a lot of keyboard pounding and political insight to go, before I could aspire to that level of journalism, or just plain writing. But, what I'm trying to say here, is that I want and need to pay more attention to my grammar, my structural ,,,,,Uh, Presentation of thoughts ? Yeah, That's the ticket !
Seriously, I've always enjoyed writing like I speak, including my Hoosier accent, vulgarity and colloquialisms, but that doesn't get it in Blog world, when you are really trying to build an audience for your Blogs, and the ideas expressed therein.

So, Mother Fuckers, this shit's gotta stop ! Really !!

Well, that's all I've got for now, so I'm off to post this same crap on three more Blogs. See Ya !

Not counting My Chicken's before they're Hatched,,,...But !

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Today in HermVille USA,
As some of you know, and as I've whined about across the Blogosphere, I've had a PTSD Claim pending with the Indianapolis Regional VA for about five years. They have given me nothing but grief, disrespect and denials for the entire time. Denying my claim despite my having been accepted into the VA's Premier PTSD program at Battle Creek Michigan VAMC. So, last October, after having been homeless, and living in my borrowed truck all summer and fall, I applied for this Non-service connected pension. I sent in a bunch of financial paperwork in late November, the exact day my ex-landlord reclaimed his truck, because he didn't want me to risk having it break down on the run I had accepted to Oregon.

Well, I got this apartment, moved what I could carry in here on December first, and proceeded to get jerked around by the Milwaukee Pension Processing Center for another 3 months. I got my Congressman's staff involved in early December, and they tried to help, but had as hard a time as me getting anything but the run-around. SO, this morning, I got an email from someone, asking me to go check-out "Recovery.gov", the Whitehouse's latest site. I went and checked it out, and then submitted a comment about how I liked the Website / Blog, but that I wouldn't be able to continue to participate in all the Administration's great new ideas, because I was going to be homeless again on March 1st. Discouraged and bored, I returned to my bed to finish the book I've been reading, and find something else to read.
Not two hours later, I get a call from a guy up in Milwaukee, asking me a couple of other questions, and then informing me that he was personally going to place my app. on a "raters" desk, and tell her it was a rush job !
Coincidence, or a responsive Government at last ?? I don't know, but the guy is Faxing my landlord the news, and informing them that action on my claim is forthcoming !!

They (The VA), will still probably find a way to screw me around, but I choose to be optimistic, as usual, so we'll see? Anyway, I had to tell someone, so Now I've told the World ! I'll keep the World Posted.

Sabotaging Behaviors, Our worst Symptom to Infinity.

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:22:00 +0000

Sabotaging Behaviors are a big component of how PTSD effects the victim's Life. From Jobs, through Children, and especially with the opposite sex, this symptom of the illness raises it's ugly head again and again. Eventually, even the most dense among us will begin to discern a pattern of behavior that we repeat, again and again, even once we become aware of it. Like an addiction, we stand and watch the wreckage of our relationships, with a sense of helplessness.

Personally, I became aware of what I was doing in my early 20's. I realized that no matter how beautiful, smart, or sexy my present girlfriend was, I would eventually screw-around behind her back, and either get caught,( on purpose?), or confess. Most of the time, the girl I messsed around with couldn't hold a candle to the one I was cheating on. There again, It's like you are watching from some remove, the actions of your hidden self.

I can't count the number of good jobs, (nor career opportunities ), I have screwed up either. No matter how much, or how little responsibility I had at a given job, I would begin to feel that I was being taken advantage of, that I was being screwed on pay, title, benefits,,whatever. If the employer was of a mind to humor me, and meet evry demand or complaint, then I would develope a personality clash with someone in the organization. This person was usually my direct superior. He/she might be the Chef, the Food and Beverage Manager, or the General Manager, I would find some reason to develope attitude, and from that point on, it was all downhill. I would provoke a confrontation, and either back that person down, and then quit, or leave before I physically attacked someone.

Is this kind of behavior motivated by Guilt feelings? I don't know! While that seems logical, survivor's guilt shouldn't last a life-time, should it?
Well, I'm off to screw-up my 2008 Tax return! LoL, more about this Sabotaging stuff later.

New Home for My PTSD Symptoms to Vent

noreply@blogger.com (HoosierHerm) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Hello, and Welcome to my latest blog. This is (hopefully) a new place for my Photos and reminiscences from my 4 tours to our wonderful SouthEast Asian Allies, and the times both good and bad that we spent there.
One reason I've needed this web presence for these issues, is to share things with my present few buddies who I'm still in touch with, and maybe reconnect with some others who are "on the web" but not at our regular meeting point at "VP-Navy.com", which has excellent pictures, award lists, and histories for all of the US Navy's Patrol Squadrons.

An unfortunate event back in the eighties resulted in the loss of most of my memories, pictures, records and documents, when an irate ex-girlfriend burned a box of important items I had left in her care while moving to a new house. More about that later. For now I'm going to post this, and get busy adding pictures and these great new videos I just discovered on another Vietnam Vet's Utube site! They Are Way cool,......stand by!