New GI Bill propels another generation

This fall, the "Post-9/11 GI Bill" went into effect, providing the most significant increase in benefits to our veterans in 65 years.

[Harold Bolquist]

This sounds like a fantastic thing for our vets. However, they give with one hand, and take with the other. My Father, who also served in the Pacific Theatre in WW2, was wounded, and decorated in the field of combat. Last month, his monthly fees at the State Veterans Home were raised 200%. Does this sound right and fair to you?

[Fred in Vacaville]

We've been trying to get our step father, a WWII Army Veteran, into the California State Veterans Home at St. Helena for quite some time now.

The waiting list just to submit an application is now about 2 years. They have been rude concerning our requests for a tour of the facility, "we don't do tours." The same has been experienced with two other facilities, Barstow and Chula Vista (San Diego County).

It is not widely known but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates domiciliary homes across the nation, many which have current openings.

http://www1.va.gov/domiciliary/

With California's horrible financial condition, I would be greatly surprised if CALVETS doesn't either downsize or complete close the California Veterans Homes in the not too distant future. Health care for illegals seems to take priority over Veterans in this state.

Good luck with your father Harold.

FinVV

[Maximus Vacavillius]

Fred in Vacaville wrote:

We've been trying to get our step father, a WWII Army Veteran, into the California State Veterans Home at St. Helena for quite some time now.
The waiting list just to submit an application is now about 2 years. They have been rude concerning our requests for a tour of the facility, "we don't do tours." The same has been experienced with two other facilities, Barstow and Chula Vista (San Diego County).
It is not widely known but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates domiciliary homes across the nation, many which have current openings.
http://www1.va.gov/domiciliary/
With California's horrible financial condition, I would be greatly surprised if CALVETS doesn't either downsize or complete close the California Veterans Homes in the not too distant future. Health care for illegals seems to take priority over Veterans in this state.
Good luck with your father Harold.
FinVV

Yes, the VA runs old soldier's homes around the country. If you want to dump off your aging vet parent in Minneapolis, St. Louis, or Omaha, the VA will take them almost immediately.

I have visited many aged vets in these VA homes when I lived in Southern California, many of them had no relatives nearby and were dumped off at the VA half way across the country. I specifically remember conversing with a 1SG from WWII who's family was all in St. Louis. The poor guy shuffled his wheel chair over to me as soon as he saw me.

[Fred in Vacaville]

Despite the fact that our step-father has grown mean spirited and angry since our Mom passed away several years ago, we offered to take him in to either ours or my sister's home. He wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Since neither Sis nor I were ever close to this man, the guilt factor for putting him in a "old soldiers home" - as you put it - is very low. Family relationships go both ways. And since he is essentially living in the 1930s & 1940s, he might be happier with like minded old soldiers, especially since he admits that he has "no use for younger generations."

[Son O Fire]

Fred in Vacaville wrote:

Despite the fact that our step-father has grown mean spirited and angry since our Mom passed away several years ago, we offered to take him in to either ours or my sister's home. He wouldn't have anything to do with it.
Since neither Sis nor I were ever close to this man, the guilt factor for putting him in a "old soldiers home" - as you put it - is very low. Family relationships go both ways. And since he is essentially living in the 1930s & 1940s, he might be happier with like minded old soldiers, especially since he admits that he has "no use for younger generations."

Sometimes it goes that way. My mother lives with my sister, but she is a saint. We don't know what we will do when she gets sick. She is 93 now.

Yes Fred. I'm the baby, but an Irish twin.

[Drewry News Network]

Guess that means more money for everyone to go to college?

http://www.DrewryNewsNetwork.com

[Maximus Vacavillius]

Fred in Vacaville wrote:

Despite the fact that our step-father has grown mean spirited and angry since our Mom passed away several years ago, we offered to take him in to either ours or my sister's home. He wouldn't have anything to do with it.
Since neither Sis nor I were ever close to this man, the guilt factor for putting him in a "old soldiers home" - as you put it - is very low. Family relationships go both ways. And since he is essentially living in the 1930s & 1940s, he might be happier with like minded old soldiers, especially since he admits that he has "no use for younger generations."

I agree. If the man dislikes relationships with his children, he can go to an old soldiers home. Maybe he'll be content. Happy sounds beyond hope.

[Harold Bolquist]

Let me make one thing perfectly CLEAR, I did not "Dump" my father off at the Vets home. It was 100% his choice. No problems with the tour, no problems with staff. They have taken very good care of him since his arrival. My problem rests with the people in Sacramento, who continue to take out their mistakes on folks who don't deserve it.

[Son O Fire]

Harold Bolquist wrote:

Let me make one thing perfectly CLEAR, I did not "Dump" my father off at the Vets home. It was 100% his choice. No problems with the tour, no problems with staff. They have taken very good care of him since his arrival. My problem rests with the people in Sacramento, who continue to take out their mistakes on folks who don't deserve it.

Gotcha! I understood completely, Svenska pojka!