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| A Hero’s End My name’s Mr.Gilley, an honored vet of this land but now I lay here, I’ve no legs; on which to stand. My hands are all crippled, with little control, I’m proud that I served, though the war took its toll. The V.A. Hospital is my home now, they’ve said; but each day that passes, I must fight to be fed. They bring in my food on a tray near the door and don’t care to see, I don’t walk anymore. I lay and I watch as my foods getting cold for someone to come by; its hell to be old. It’s like this each day, I fight to get fed. If this has to be home now; I’d rather be dead ~ His name was Robert, he was losing life’s race just forty years old, when brought to this place not taking him serious each time that he came, They said “stop the scratching, its dry skin” they claim. He kept getting worse; as his skin cracked and bled and now he can’t walk, but they don’t have a bed. they make him go home, but he has to come back. more sores on his legs, his toes have turned black. He was diabetic; they were very aware. Why didn’t they see and why didn’t they care, as nothing got done, he fought to be brave, after six months of fighting, he is now in his grave. ~ I would see this poor man, about eighty years old, He just wanted coffee; yet each time was told, we’re out of it now, and no time to make more, it would break my heart, as he’d walk to his door. He would walk up that hall with his cup in his hand, can’t they make him some coffee, I don’t understand. It was not much to ask, and it’s not hard to do. this man who fought wars did a lot more for you. So I asked was there reason, he's always turned down, the nurse just said no, and she gave me a frown. And I asked could I take him a cup now and then? She said if you’d like, it’s your money you spend. So I took him a cup; but what made it worth while was that sad lonely face turned to a sweet smile. They just need to know that someone does care; It is not their fault that they have to be there. ~ Is this a hospital or not…I haven’t a clue, if they can’t help the sick just what can they do? There are so many stories, that’s left to be told, Why does this happen; how can hearts be so cold. Who, once were our hero’s, our soldiers, proud men now lay in they own waste and wait for the end. What did they do to deserve this affliction? Protecting our freedom; was that their conviction? **************************************** I know not all V.A. Hospitals are bad, but sadly some are and truly need to be changed. I was there only nineteen days when my brother died, I only saw things that happened on one floor of that hospital and it was horrible; we never left my brother alone till he died. Some of the men and woman there had no family and were pitiful; they weren't taken care of like they should have been. I want to do something to make this change; I just don’t know exactly what to do yet. I do believe that when it is our time to die... then nothing will stop that, but Robert did a lot of needless suffering from the beginning of his illness till he died, and I do believe that if the doctor's and other people in this hospital would have done there jobs better; then Robert would not have had to suffer so long and so bad. My mother spent six months crying, because these doctors acted like it wasn't serious, for six months my family went through major anxiety because of this hospital, my mother knew she was losing her only son, we knew that we were losing the only brother we ever knew. visit after visit to this hospital was the same; it seemed as if no one cared. After a while he did get to see a doctor that actually tried to help him, but he still didn't find the cause. He was admitted to the hospital on June 2, 2003 and lost his fight for life on June 20, 2003 at the age of 41. His liver had stopped working due to being on the same medication for almost 20 years. My brother never faught in war, but he loved the Army and would have died for the cause and he was a Hero to us. I also believe that everything happens for a reason, that is why I wrote the poem above; to tell some of it in hopes that someone will hear the cries. I can't do anything for my brother now; he is in a much better place than we, but just maybe I can help someone else. Because no matter which war; no matter which country; these men left our shores with the will to lay down their lives for their country and no matter what you have heard or what was said, every single one went to battle for the same reasons to protect our families; our country; our beliefs; and our freedom. These men had one intention; to serve with pride for the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Now as forgotten soldiers sit in their emptiness, most have lost their faith in the government they've served and their pride for the country that they once fought for. Where are the families that once couldn’t wait to see them return home? Where are the people that once called them Hero’s? And they wonder where is the God that once saved them from dieing in the war and they wonder why he did? Now as they lie in their beds or sit in their wheel chairs, they wonder was it even worth it and what they did it for. They remember the ones that fell beside them their friends, their comrades, their brothers who gave the greatest sacrifice. With no hope that it will ever get any better than this, most have lost their will to live; especially with a country that won’t even do for them half as much as they did for it. I think it is a shame that the men and women that served our country can’t even die with a little dignity, and if we sit by and watch....we are all to blame. We can start by seeing that our loved ones are cared for, wither it be a V.A. Hospital, Hospital or nursing home, even if they were not Hero's to this Nation or even in the service at all, they were someone’s hero is life. And they all deserve to be taken care of and to be able to die with some dignity. So don't just put them away for someone else to care for, because chances are they are not being treated to well and if they are, Give Thanks for it. By: Donna L. Eaton In memory of my brother: Robert Edward Lashmit Copywrite © (2004) |
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| This is a link to the OMI (Office of Medical Investigation) They investigate and review the quality of care that our veterans receive. http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/teletriage.shtm |
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