Leaders Visit Walter Reed, Express Resolve

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. Both Army leaders expressed concern and found the facilities "disappointing," and "unacceptable,".

Yes, these conditions and what happened near Walter Reed is disappointing and unacceptable. A fall guy has been found and hopefully, positive changes will now be made.

That resolve has been expressed today as Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman has been fired, which is a big deal because he is a West Point Graduate and a two star General. In the New York Times article, it stated that Officials refused to provide the specific reasons for General Weightman’s firing. I have been in the military long enough to know that regardless of the event and who is responsible, someone always takes the fall.

Hmmm, maybe the General lost his job running Walter Reed Hospital has something to do with the Washington Post article, Building 18 or the fact that some Vets are coming home to some substandard care by the military and the VA. Here is a good example, Lance Corporal Jonathan Schulze from a little town in Minnesota, near where I grew up reported into a VA hospital with severe PTSD and reported that he was suicidal and he was told that they were very busy. This young Marine, award winner of a couple of Purple Hearts, who had lost buddies in Iraq, killed himself a few days later.

Schulze death didn't make the impact on the Building 18 situation but to Vets like myself, who read of it in the Army Times or heard about it else where, it pisses you off. I am sure that MG Weightman was a fine General and meant well but there is no excuse for any vets to come home so substandard care and a over worked and underfunded VA giving who can't address the needs of war wounded.

Today, I doubt the General is smiling and there are many wounded vets that won't have much to smile about until conditions for their healing process from war injuries are worthy of their sacrifice.