Behind the myth of “Army Strong” and Army Strong.com:
The latest military slogan is Army Strong, and they have a branded site at Army Strong.com. However, this strength is bellied by the Iraq War and the treatment of troops in our medical facilities like Walter Reed across the country. The Washington Post recently reported:
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It turns out that when John Mellencamp performed for troops at Walter Reed Army Hospital about a week ago he was supposed to be joined by Joan Baez. However, four days before she was scheduled to appear the Army turned her down.In a letter to the Editor in today's Washington Post, Miss Baez says that she could have made a contribution to those returning from war. She writes:I realize now that I might have contributed to a better welcome home for those soldiers fresh from Vietnam. Maybe that's why I didn't hesitate to accept the invitation to sing for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.As many of you know I am an admirer of Joan Baez. I love her music and for decades I have followed her political activism against war and for human rights. But in this case I do believe the decision to not have her sing at this event was correct.She has been such a vocal critic of the war and specifically Mr. Bush that I think having her there would have been insulting to those who have risked t
I had the great fortune of serving at Walter Reed for six months during my deployment. The staff I worked with was wonderful and to say the soldiers were inspiring would not even begin to describe the great respect I had for them (and not only the soldiers, but their families-especially the wives- who cared for the soldiers in what must have been the most painful experience in their lives). I didn't find the conditions to be as described, but I don't doubt such circumstances existed.
Now, I can't imagine staff purposely wanting to harm soldiers, but if somebody is not doing their job, they should be replaced with somebody who can which is, in fact, what happened. It's really as simple as that. This weekend, I'll try to write about some of my experiences there.
What a wonderful country we live in when powerful people have to answer to the people.
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Op-Ed article written by MIDN Roly Machado in The Underground, the Naval Academy Political Science Department newsletter.A few weeks ago The Washington Post came out with one of those articles that just changes things. This catalyst of a story and the articles that followed brought to light the neglect of American soldiers at WRAMC. It also brought to view the strange complexity of paperwork inefficiency. Eventually, we found out that not only are patients being treating inappropriately and facilities not being properly maintained, but they can’t even identify who the patients are or why they’re being treated.Unfortunately, I have heard this before. When I interned for a Congressman during high school, my sole responsibility most weeks was to read letters from constituents and start up a case on their behalf. [A little tidbit on Congressional Representatives: they can, if requested, actually act as a lawyer on your behalf when it comes to problems with government agencies.] So here
Walter Reed: What You Can Do About ItA Paul Rieckhoff Bulletin Paul RieckhoffIn the last few weeks, we've seen a sea change in media coverage in this country. For once, it was the war that pushed Britney Spears' latest stupidity out of the news cycle - and not the other way around.Of course, cable news coverage of the Walter Reed scandal (or there lack of) was embarrassingly bad - by one count, Fox devoted 12 times more coverage to Anna Nicole Smith. But after four years of war in Iraq, most of the media seemed to realize it was time to cover the real stories, not the trials and tribulations of the famous-for-being-famous. The bottom line: the plight of wounded veterans is finally getting the attention the issue deserves, and it is about damn time.Unsurprisingly, the American public's furor over this issue got Washington moving faster than I've seen in years: hearings at Walter Reed, new legislation in Congress, two generals relieved of duty, and the appointment of t
The commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center was finally fired.
I’m sure by now you’ve heard all the controversy surrounding the outpatient treatment of wounded Iraq veterans, and now it looks like the army is finally doing something. It’s not perfect, since the replacement (Kevin C. Kiley) had reportedly known about the conditions as well but neglected to act on it, but overall this whole thing has actually given me a bit of confidence in new defense secretary Robert Gates. Rather than trying to shift the blame and play politics, as Rumsfeld certainly would have done, he’s been honest about it from the start and tried to fix the situation as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
As far as I can remember, this is the first time since Colin Powell that we have seen a Bush-appointee who is actually good at his job. It’s probably a fluke, but who knows?
The hospital's Commander-Major General George Weightman has been fired as of 3-01-07. Taking his place will be Lieutenant-General Kevin Kiley.It was just a few days ago that the story broke about the horrible conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Secretary of Defense Gates has been surprisingly candid in his replies to ongoing questions. But now it would seem that the troops are being retaliated against by the military higher ups. Speaking as a vet myself I have to say that if true this is reprehensible. But it is not a huge surprise either. ~RJH The News Hole article link One Way to Stop the Bad News at Walter Reed Posted: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:59 PM by CountdownJust days ago, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was lauded for his candor regarding the deplorable conditions at Water Reed Medical Center, saying he was grateful to reporters for bringing this problem to our attention, but very disappointed we did not identify it ourselves." Today we have this report from
Leaders Visit Walter Reed, Express Resolve, Photo by Ali Bettencourt February 20, 2007 Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey and GEN Richard A. Cody, vice chief of staff of the Army, speak with a medical hold Soldier about his living conditions in Building 18 outside of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.In comments to reporters afterward, Secretary Harvey stated that he and GEN Cody visited the building after learning of Soldier complaints. High Resolution ImageBoth Army leaders expressed concern and found the facilities "disappointing," and "unacceptable," Harvey said. "This building has potential and we will get it turned around," GEN Cody added. A plan is already in place to upgrade the building and will be reported on to GEN Cody to ensure Soldiers are being provided a "quality of life equal to the quality of their service," Secretary Harvey concluded.Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House or Patient-Care Issues and Walter Reed Army Medical Center or The Defense Department
