Commentary: Veterans nursing home promises and threats
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Mark Sheldon
Guest commentary
I
'm a veteran, but I'm no hero. I have two honorable discharges, and 15 years' active service.
I was in the Marine Corps from 1970-74. Vietnam? Didn't go. Didn't kill anyone, didn't get shot. I mixed napalm and assembled bombs stateside.
I was in the U.S. Army 1985-1996. Panama and Desert Storm? Didn't go. I trained troops and made sure they got bullets, rations and pay -- stateside.
I was in Salt Lake City and Ogden in 2007. Still no hero -- I didn't say anything, I listened.
Kudos to Sen. Scott Jenkins ("my senator," Plain City). I applaud your idea about taking this matter to the governor. I didn't hear anyone volunteer -- I'll go with you for that talk.
To the Rose Red Foundation: At the Capitol I sat two rows behind and two chairs to the left of Mr. Roy Brown. In Ogden, I was in the row in front of you, three chairs to the left -- the pudgy bald guy with the ponytail. I was right in front of the guy who went on and on about private enterprise (the military is full of privates), but the enterprise part of it means "make money."
I heard the remarks and grunts and hisses from behind me after the veteran with five tours of 'Nam and a purple heart spoke. (He is a hero. He probably killed people. He got shot.) I didn't appreciate your threat.
You said the same thing at the Capitol. You forgot to mention your cut. So I'll quote you: "Give me a figure." How much will your foundation -- and you, CEO -- make for saving us?
How about this? You want a figure -- $1.5 million will start the planning. I heard that over and over and over. Give it to us. I know (even) 10 percent of $1.5 mil isn't much -- but it is $150,000. Your foundation will be in the black, and you'll have put your money where your mouth is. And, most importantly, we will appreciate it.
It's a win-win situation for us, you, the state and the feds.
I didn't mention -- I'm a 60 percent-disabled vet (service connected) and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). I work for a veteran' s organization in Ogden.
My family won't be able to afford a home for me when I'm (hopefully) much older. I'll need a place.
I wish we'd stop crying about whose ball it is and get this necessity together.
Thanks to our legislators for listening to us -- we do appreciate you.
And, as always, Maj. George Wahlen, it is an honor and a privilege to sit in the same room with you -- even if I don't say anything.
Sheldon lives in Plain City.
