February 21,
2007
Sisters and
brothers,
The Friday night vigil in front of
the Walter
Reed Army Medical
Center started two years
ago, and continues. From the beginning, the Walter Reed Vigil has called for
funding the needs of the wounded and other returning veterans, not the War. The
Vigil has called for care for the wounded, full benefits for veterans, and jobs.
At the same time, we declare that the best support for our troops is bringing
them home now. We must not forget our sisters and brothers after their
return.
In the light of recent public
disclosures of the conditions that await our wounded when they arrive here from
the war zones in Iraq and
Afghanistan, the Walter Reed Vigil
insists that Congress act now. Congress must restore full funding for the care
of our wounded soldiers and full funding of their promised benefits, including
care for their wounds, and the effects of PTSD, for as long as
necessary.
There are already budgeted funds
earmarked for Iraq. Congress must use these funds
for the welfare of our troops, care for the wounded, and transport to bring our
troops home.
The many doctors, technicians,
nurses, and other workers inside Walter Reed devote their energy to heal and
care for our wounded. Those who toil inside WRAMC confront the horror of this
war everyday, witnessing what it has done to so many young lives. At the same
time, the army bureaucrats and politicians entrusted with overseeing the
hospital and its services fail in their duties. Funds for healing, treatment,
and benefits repeatedly end up cut or misspent. For the wounded, life in Walter
Reed can seem like being in prison.
Family members come to
Walter Reed to give the care their children and spouses might not otherwise
receive. A mother stays at Walter Reed, hoping each day that her son might show
some small sign that he recognizes her presence. Walter Reed employees, after a
long day inside, make their way home, shaking their heads, thinking of what they
have seen and wondering why this war still goes on. The white WRAMC buses, more
often now with sirens wailing and lights flashing, hurry their fresh burden
through the gate on Georgia
Avenue.
Please do not forget our loved ones. They do not want us to call them
heroes. They did their job, now they want the care and benefits promised. They
want to know that we have not forgotten them. They want to pick up their lives
and continue, and they want their buddies home from Iraq.
Contact your Congressperson, write
letters to your local newspaper, or call radio talk shows. Tell Congress to act
now. We do not need tears; we need action.
In
solidarity,
Bruce
Wolf
Walter Reed
Vigil
Washington, DC
Walterreedvigil.org
