The Deplorable Treatment of U.S. War Vets
The treatment of the United States’ war veterans is beyond appalling. Despite the billions and billions of dollars that is being spent on the war in Iraq, soldiers have faced equipment and food shortages, and have seen their benefits cut. And then while they’re doing the honorable thing serving in Iraq and come home after having been wounded, soldiers face deplorable conditions in military hospitals.
In recent weeks, the Washington Post revealed the truly disgusting state of affairs at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Soldiers who stayed there in the past have spoken up, as have visitors to the center, and even some staff members.
Walter Reed is often the first stop for many American servicemen returning home with war-related injuries. You would assume that the medical center would be a top-of-the-line treatment facility with all of the best rehabilitation and treatment available. However, such an assumption was proven to be entirely wrong as Walter Reed was revealed to be a place where soldiers endured filthy and unsanitary environments, rampant drug use, and less-than-adequate medical care. Upon hearing this news, the nation was shocked, and at the same time embarrassed.
What makes this even more worse is the fact that top officials were informed of the problem and did absolutely NOTHING to stop it. It disgusts me that this country would send these soldiers into war expecting them to risk everything, and then upon their return having been injured, they are treated like low-life scum. Instead of supporting the troops, the government turned their backs on them, and for that they should be ashamed and punished.