MILLION VETERANS PROGRAM, MVP

The VA sent out a mailer for joining the Million Veterans Program.

The MVP is asking veterans to join 940,000 others to help improve health care for veterans.

As a veteran of the Gerald Ford Army, the VA sent the request to my address.

That alone shows efficient dexterity in such a huge agency.

To join the Million Veterans Program I’d need to do a few things, like:

 

Provide a blood sample for genetic research.

Give access to my health records to share with researchers with a promise to not share my name and personal information that could identify me.

Complete surveys to share information about my health, lifestyle, and experiences.

Agree that the VA can contact me in the future about their research program.

 

We’re all good here?

Ready to go?

Not exactly.

 

The Vietnam Draft

Young guys in the mid and late Sixties had the draft to contend with.

Some tried to dodge it, others lined up after failing to dodge it.

Muhammad Ali had a few words:

 

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?

No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars.

But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality.

If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs.

So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.”

 

Back in the day guys signed up for the draft in order to qualify for federal student loan programs.

After an honorable discharge they qualified the GI Bill for education.

Even then VA knobs had something to say about veterans, like you’re not really a veteran if you weren’t a leg.

You weren’t a veteran unless you were deployed.

Based on that thinking, I’m not a real veteran, just like the insurrectionists on Jan 6 were just normal tourists.

 

Furthermore From The Vietnam Era

“I ain’t draft dodging. I ain’t burning no flag. I ain’t running to Canada. I’m staying right here. You want to send me to jail? Fine, you go right ahead. I’ve been in jail for 400 years.

I could be there for 4 or 5 more, but I ain’t going no 10,000 miles to help murder and kill other poor people.

If I want to die, I’ll die right here, right now, fighting you, if I want to die.

You my enemy, not no Chinese, no vietcong, no Japanese. You my opposer when I want freedom.

You my opposer when I want justice.

-Muhammad Ali

 

Ready For The Million Veteran Program?

From The Army:

For example, after twenty years of conflict around the world, the Army’s own polling shows today’s youth have a disproportionate perception of their likelihood of being injured, killed, or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if they join the military.

A large percentage of women believe they will be sexually harassed or assaulted.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal poll, far fewer today believe patriotism is important (23%) than those in 1998 (70%). Today’s military-age adults value flexibility, self-expression, individual identity, and leisure.

They are much more likely to believe that climate change is a greater existential threat than is China or Russia.

 

It’s taken time but the VA has recognized Agent Orange for the Blue Water Navy.

They call it the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

What would you guess the Blue Water Navy veterans called it before 2019?

 

My Army service ended in 1976.

The VA mailer for the Million Veterans Program came yesterday.

Shall I wait forty-seven years to respond?

Does that sound like a reasonable timeline?

The Veterans Administration is doing their work today with open burn pits.

Please Note: If you were deployed before 9/11, were a part of special forces, or were re-deployed within three months, you may get a notification in the registry portal that you do not have an eligible deployment. This is due to technical constraints but does not necessarily mean you are not eligible. To continue completing the questionnaire please click the blue banner stating “Request Eligibility Review” and follow the additional steps.

If you need technical support or assistance logging into the registry, call 1-877-470-5947.

 

Should you join the Million Veterans Program?

Maybe you already have.

Carry on.