Election day is Tuesday. We will be voting on almost all the statewide offices, from governor to state representatives, to county supervisors. I don’t know about you, but I am SO tired of the negative TV ads and same the old “promises” of politicians! I think if I hear one more canned promise to “bring in better jobs, raise teachers pay, ect.,” I will scream! But, one group’s problems and needs have not been addressed … at least not much.

We are at war. Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with the reasons or not, we are at war. And, like every war, our young men and women are dying, and being maimed-both physically and mentally. There are a lot of news stories about some brave young hero being allowed to return to his/her unit even after some horrible injury.

But, the vast majority of our young warriors, when wounded, are medically separated-sent home-and forgotten about. The military medically separates the member; assigns a percent of disability, usually lower, after many months of “adjudication.” If the military member accepted “medical severance pay” (usually offered after he/she has been held in limbo in a medical holding company for several months), he/she just offset any VA disability compensation which might be awarded as a result of the active duty related injuries or illness! The problem is, almost everyone who has had this happen will testify they were not advised of the offset when the offer was made.

There has been a lot of coverage about this in the Military Times newspapers, and in the internal press organs of the Association of the U.S. Army; the Air Force Association; the Naval Fleet Reserve, among others. But there has been very little noise about this in the “main stream” media-and almost no noise from the politicians!

The candidates on the national scene are still jockeying for position to be their party’s candidate for president next year. They made grand statements that bounce all over the board; from withdrawing our troops completely — to considering using weapons of major (if not mass) destruction. But, they all “Support the Troops” and “Respect the Veterans!” Every politician has a “plan”. Every office seeker has already figured out how to solve all our problems; from elementary school prayer issues to universal health care to better living standards for the elderly. But, other than voicing “outrage” at the VA claims backlog, and promising to “do something” about the dire over crowding in the VA medical system, nothing is done. And the veterans suffer.

How does this affect us at the local level, and in the election on Tuesday? Well, it affects us in this way-the state legislature is the “congress of the state.” They have the money, so they make the rules. They fund the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Department. The claims office of that department is tasked with helping veterans with everything from taking initial claims for benefits to professional representation at a decision review officer hearing. These folks are supposed to work to assist veterans in obtaining their justly deserved benefits. This office is chronically, and critically, understaffed. Their turnover is incredible! Why? Funding. If the legislature doesn’t authorize decent salaries, even dedicated folks can’t afford to stay.

It is not too late to ask some hard questions of these state office seekers, and demand some clear answers. We’re lucky. We have on state senator (Videt Carmichael) who has proven, over and over, that he tries to do what he promises, especially when it comes to the veteran community. Maybe that is why he has no opposition in this election. But he can’t do it alone-we need to send other pro-veteran legislators to work with him. Our wounded and ill veterans deserve no less.



Bobbye C. Jerone is an Independent Veterans Advocate and president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 257, in Meridian. She may be reached at (601) 679-5055 or email at Bvj1101@bellsouth.net