MichaelMoore.com

188 Weeks ...by Kevin & Joyce Lucey

Kevin & Joyce Lucey are the proud parents of Cpl. Jeffrey Michael Lucey (03/18/81 -- 06/22/04), a 23 year old USMC reservist forever, who succumbed to the hidden wounds of PTSD

So often, we hear our leaders and powerbrokers speak of their uninhibited support for our troops and veterans. We hear of their trips to the wards of the VAMC or Walter Reed and see the results of their photo opportunities being flashed over the TV screens and computer monitors. During special events, it is not unheard of for one of these leaders to point out to their audience recognizing a military family and or veteran heralding their sacrifice for all to hear ... but then what happens with all their support ... what happens to their glorious words of praise and recognition?

Should they not be followed up by actions ... should they not be the "launching pad" of a continuum of services and assistance. The reality of all this is that the words and recognitions are all that they are -- they float away on the breezes as do the colorful leaves of fall glide along on the winds of October.

The Dole-Shalala Commission report has been issued for how long -- what has become of it?

This was so strongly demonstrated when CBS informed this nation that this country in 2005 lost more than 120 veterans every single week to suicide.

The reactions on CBS were strong words of shock and intentions to address the issues. Congress had a hearing at which Mike and Kim Bowman opened up their memories and wounds -- sparking outrage and pledges to look into the matter.

Then all went into recess -- on vacation -- and as they enjoyed the holidays and began the New Year ... how many men and women put a noose around their necks or loaded a bullet into the chamber? How many of our heroes have we lost because no one thought that our loved ones' lives were important enough to immediately address the issues? Who will go to the loved ones of these horrible tragedies and tell them all those well worn phrases and make the "promises" but then try to explain to all why no one has done anything significant over all this time.

We try to understand this but we can't. It has been 188 weeks since our son committed suicide -- almost two and a half years after Jeff's death, we then heard of the tragedy of Jonathan Schulze of Stewart, MN. We heard and read this story despite all the assurances given to us by VA officials that all necessary corrections would be made to prevent "more Jeffreys." Stories have kept surfacing; more issues keep coming to light while more of our men and women needlessly die at their own hand.

If anyone will truly support our men and women in uniform, they must do more than talk and make speeches.

Let not this Congress assume the mantle of shame and dishonor as the past Congresses before them have -- in which they cloaked themselves when they and this administration turned their backs to our soldiers and veterans; when they left them behind on the "battlefields of their broken spirits, shattered minds and lost souls."

Let this Congress instead be known as the Congress who cared for our Veterans and Military Families -- in which the Congress can actually realize what many Americans think and believe is done for our heroes and their loved ones.

Whatever their actions be or not be will dictate part of their legacy -- let us all pray that they will decide to care for our loved ones who believed in them and who answered their nation's call to arms.

Let this nation truly and proudly care for its troops and veterans.