Applebee's Restaurants: Honoring Vets

As I listened to Quinn & Rose this morning, I heard some wonderful news. Applebee's Restaurants will be treating vets to dinner at their restaurants next Wednesday, November 11, which is Veteran's Day. All you have to do is show proof of your service. For more information, go to http://www.applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx. Businesses that go to that length to thank our veterans deserve our patronage.

My VA Experience

Just like a recurring nightmare, I'm back. Been a couple of crazy days here in my little corner of the universe, and, unfortunately, my blog took a back seat.

On Friday, I had to take my dad to the VA hospital in Pittsburgh for a routine pooper snooper (colonoscopy). While I wasn't crazy about getting up at 3 a.m. in order to have him there in time for his appointment, I'm so glad I did. I had a great time.

How do you have a great time at a VA hospital you may be asking? Well, I guess it depends on what makes you happy in this life. For me, it was about the vets.

After getting my dad checked in and settled into his place in the short-procedure unit, I had a few hours to kill. Stop number one? Where else? The smoking shelter outside. This was my favorite place to be. Not only did it give me the opportunity to satisfy my nicotine craving, but the people there were great.

I had the privilege of striking up a short conversation with a few vets who were also partaking of tobacco. One was a black man who appeared to be in his late 50's, and the other was a white man who looked to be about 48. Both were there for medical care. In fact, the black man was being released later that day after a stay.

We talked about a myriad of things. The Steelers, their satisfaction with the care they had received, etc. I avoided the political issues of the day as I didn't want to ruin this precious time we were enjoying. I couldn't help but think that in some manner I was an honorary member of their respective units due to the fact that I was treated with such respect. If BHO says he was humbled to receive the Peace Prize, maybe he should talk to these vets. THAT is humbling and well worth every second.

After going to the waiting area and trying to cop a few z's before the hubby called and woke me up, I decided to explore other areas of the hospital. I headed to the cafeteria for a Diet Coke and took some time to read a few more pages of The Fountainhead. Not wanting to fall asleep in the cafeteria, I went to the store down the hall. I looked at all the merchandise available without buying anything (although I saw plenty I liked). Had to stay in motion to keep from crashing. But my heart and my thoughts were still out in the smoking shelter, so I headed back there.

My former conversation mates were gone. My heart sank. Then, checking the time, I decided to call my BOF, Amusing Bunni. It was so nice to finally be able to speak to her, and we chatted for about a half hour before it was time to go up and see if my dad was done. I will be the first to say that she is a real pistol! We laughed and expressed frustration over the way the country is going while relishing the time we were able to talk.

I headed back up the the ninth floor and was glad to see that Dad had returned from a procedure that would make me feel like I've been to prison. He was alert and hitting on the nurse while complaining about wanting to go home.

The nurse on duty was absolutely great. Pretty, outspoken, and funny, she made Dad's stay better with her radiant personality. She brought Dad a breakfast tray as he hadn't eaten since Wednesday and, being diabetic, he needed to eat. Dad was eating his food and saying how it really wasn't bad food for a hospital. The ray of sunshine at the nurse's station then told Dad to enjoy it now because, on orders from the VA, trays of food in short-procedure will be a thing of the past. Crackers and juice are going to be the standard because the VA muckety-mucks said that the beds need to be made empty faster. In other words, treat 'em and street 'em. I was appalled. If ANYONE should get red-carpet treatment in the healthcare industry, it's our veterans. To rush them out the door just screams disrespect in my eyes.

When it was finally time to make the trip home, I thanked the nurse for everything she did and headed out the door to the car. On my way out, I saw the black man I had seen on my first trip to the smoking shelter. Seeing him fumbling for a light, I gave him my Steeler lighter and told him to keep it as I had another. I saw the gratitude in his eyes not for the lighter, but for the respect and admiration I tried to show him. I left the VA on a high.

My only regret is that I don't live closer to the VA hospital. I guarantee that if I did, I'd be volunteering in any way I could. These guys are a great group, and the Pittsburgh VA gave excellent care to my dad. I know that this seems to be the exception in the realm of VA hospitals, but it should be the norm.

To all vets who have served this country: Thank you. You will always have my undying respect and gratitude, and you will always occupy a special place in my heart. God bless each of you.

Veterans Take a Back Seat to Illegals

Chad Groening, writing for OneNewsNow.com, has posted an article about how illegal immigrants in this country are put ahead of U.S. citizens, even veterans, in Medicaid programs around the country. Have we heard anything from the MSM on this issue, kids? For our citizens, ESPECIALLY veterans, to be bumped for healthcare because an illegal immigrant needs it is un-American.

Dean Heller (R-NV) proposed an amendment to the Obamacare legislation that would've prevented illegal immigrants from accessing government-subsidized healthcare. The Dems defeated the measure handily.

Susan Tully, national field director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, says not only are illegal aliens not excluded from the healthcare proposals, but they are already getting benefits before American citizens. She cites the example of a disabled woman in Wisconsin.

"She has to go to what they call a Title 19 dentist -- somebody who takes this government [dental] plan," Tully notes. "She cannot get in to see a dentist because illegal aliens and migrant workers fill the waiting rooms because they're all eligible under Title 19 for dentist care."

Tully says that clinic is not taking any more patients, adding that even veterans are being pushed aside when it comes to access to benefits.

"I've had up in Minnesota a veteran who's having to wait 18 months to get in to see a doctor at a VA hospital, but refugees from Somalia can walk into any clinic at any time and get seen by a doctor immediately," she points out. "We have this crazy, inverted system that people who are less deserving have the first slice at everything."

The first thought that springs into my caffeine-deprived brain right now is probably the same one yinz have: How the hell do ILLEGAL immigrants get to access American taxpayer money??? God forbid you not have proof of residency to enroll your kids in school, but if you want the American taxpayers to support you, it's overlooked. For crying out loud, I don't favor Americans accessing taxpayer money to relieve themselves of the responsibility of providing for their families. I'm sorry...how frickin' insensitive of me to even bring it up. Looks like "re-education" is in my future.

Secondly, if ANYONE should be bumped to the front of the line, it should be those who have served their country proudly and with honor. What, in God's name, has happened in this society when we put veterans behind someone who shouldn't even be in this country? That is a total disgrace and makes all the sacrifices our soldiers have made seem in vain. What a crying shame.

I look for immigration reform to be the next hot-button issue in light of Dear Leader calling us "demagogues" on his trip to Mexico last week. Whether it comes to the forefront or not, this is definitely something we need to let our representatives in Congress know is just flat-out wrong. Our veterans deserve a hell of a lot more out of the country they've defended.

To each and every brave man or woman who has served this great nation: Thank you. You will always have a special place in my heart and my undying gratitude and respect.

*saluting*