How my country treats its heroes

[jordonj]

These men/women put their lives at risk and on hold to serve a country that lied to them? Then to see the very government that made the promises say , "We can't afford to keep this up" and then turn around and throw away billions of dollars in "pet projects" like gambling casinos, and totally absurd projects like, "The matting habits of the tree frog" (like who gives a crap). It's enough to make anyone question serving their country.

This is why enlistment is down!  And with all the funding cuts, I have a feeling it's going to get worse...

[Hagar]

I hate to do it but I have to play devils advocate.
Now Mr Duke in my opinion is definatly a hero and deserves all the respect in the world. And this case is definatly an example of why veterans should have their own medical plan. However I do not feel otherwise that his wife deserves preferential treatment on the NHS. As tough as it may be to deal with, if you choose the NHS then you know there will be a waiting list, 6 months is actually not that long a wait, and if she is put on the cancellations list the chances of her operation being within 2 months is high.

I think you're missing my point Craig. I'm not suggesting that a national hero or his wife should receive preferential treatment at all. Nor would Neville Duke expect that himself. Everyone in the country is entitled to the same treatment as those in work contribute to it through their taxes. Those less fortunate pay nothing but get the same treatment. That is the whole concept of a National Health Service which despite the government's claims is a pale shadow of its former self & not fulfilling their promises. This case illustrates that perfectly. 6 months waiting for treatment is far too long.

[Craig.]

I cant argue the point its too long a wait. Its just that the way I read the article, its writing it as though his wife should be moved to the front of the queue. I know Mr Duke wouldn't ask that himself. Its frustrating, like I said my own grandmother had to put up with little to no mobility for a long time aswell. Untill something is done to completely over haul, and I mean litterally shut down the NHS and start again. At some point they need to stop appointments for these operations and just re-form the service as a whole.

[Omag 2.0]

I agree with both Doug and Craig! It's unfair that certain groups of the population are left in the cold, while others get proper treatment, as Doug states. But I also follow Craig's idea... many repliers seem offended by the thought this war-hero is treated this way... It's a sad story, but still I wonder why people never act up when it comes to the families of the poor souls that lost their lives during any of the major wars of our modern times... I think it's sometimes pure luck, that decides weather some-one becomes a hero or not. For me, any person that was sucked into these turbulent times ( WWI,II,Korea,Vietnam,Irak, etc.) are heroes, as most of them didn't ask to do the things they had to do...

On the other hand, there's the question just why these heroes come into financial trouble... sure, some of them will be scared by the effect of war, but like in real life, some people just can't handle their finances that well. I'm not implying this is the case here, but still one wonders...

It's still sad though, that someone should give up priceless memories from his past...

[Hagar]

I agree with both Doug and Craig! It's unfair that certain groups of the population are left in the cold, while others get proper treatment, as Doug states. But I also follow Craig's idea... many repliers seem offended by the thought this war-hero is treated this way...

From some of the responses in this thread the title I chose gives the wrong impression. I used the same sensationalist title that makes a good newspaper headline but is misleading. Please note that I didn't use the words war hero but some people obviously read it as just that.

If Neville Duke is remembered for anything it's for his considerable contribution to aviation since the end of WWII. Not many ordinary people would know anything about his war record or realise that he's old enough to have fought in WWII. He became a national hero for his achievements as a test pilot in the 1950s when test pilots were treated by the general public in much the same way as film stars.

I used this as an example of what many people of the same age as Neville Duke are facing in this country now, being forced to sell their most treasured possessions & sometimes the homes they live in to pay for medical treatment they might otherwise have to wait months or even years for. This despite contributing towards health care through their taxes for their whole working lives. Much of these compulsory contributions is wasted by incompetent management & expensive cosmetic treatment that should be paid for privately. Meanwhile an illegal immigrant who has contributed nothing in taxes either here or anywhere else might get preferential treatment & pushed to the front of the queue. This is quite wrong & unacceptable. IMHO

[Omag 2.0]

Hmm... indeed it seems we've read your post to quickly and where jumping to conclusions... But I still stand by my point, it doesn't matter whether someone is a hero or not. He/she who has contributed to society should be cared for, or should have been able to gather enough financial resources to take care of oneself.

I can see in your last alinea, your tackling 2 "huge" political problems of our time ... how do we keep our social security system from falling apart and how do we deal with economical/religious/war refugees...

That's one though nut to crack Doug...  ;)

[Hagar]

But I still stand by my point, it doesn't matter whether someone is a hero or not. He/she who has contributed to society should be cared for, or should have been able to gather enough financial resources to take care of oneself.

That was also my point. Considering what they've had to cope with during their lifetime, every person in this country over the age of 80 is a hero in my opinion. They are the the salt of the earth this nation is based on. The fact is that they now find themselves in dire straits through no fault of their own.

[quote]That's one though nut to crack Doug...

[Saitek]

That is really sad and although I would contribute if it was him, I have to say that it is his wife and sad it may be if you did that to everyone well it just couldn't be possible... I think I'd like to help buy his medals and then when the op is over give them him back.

The sick thing is that our elderly population get paid nuts and there are thousands of war veterans who have died of the cold in their own homes after surving the trenches because they just didn't have the money to turn the heat on.  
But credit where it is due - the government has done a lot (and although they could do more) I believe though the vets. here have it so much better than in the US and I hope that in time the US war vets. too will see some improvement in the way they are treated.  

[Romulus111VADT]

[quote]

This is why enlistment is down!

[Hagar]

That is really sad and although I would contribute if it was him, I have to say that it is his wife and sad it may be if you did that to everyone well it just couldn't be possible... I think I'd like to help buy his medals and then when the op is over give them him back.

I'm not suggesting that you contribute Ben as you & your employer are already doing that through your national health payments. You will continue doing this all your working life which is the whole basis of the NHS & how it's funded. The fact that a large percentage of that will be squandered is partly the reason for their predicament & will also affect you. However, I'm sure there are many like me who know & respect Neville Duke & what he's done for aviation that would have been happy to help pay for his wife's operation. They had to stop their private health plan payments as these are increased by a large amount as you get older & they simply could no longer afford it.

This thread seems to have become split into two separate debates. While it's interesting I must stress that my original topic concerns the treatment of all elderly people & not just war veterans. This might be my own fault for using the word 'hero' in the subject line. Although the newspaper article emphasised Neville Duke's war record & the sale of his medals I went to a great deal of trouble pointing out that he is my hero for what he's done for aviation since leaving the RAF at the end of the war.

[jordonj]

I know your thread has been taking a different direction Hagar other than what you set out for it to do...

The thing is, this is going on in our country as well as yours (and in other countries as well), and we are all angry about it.

It's as if Veterans have been forgotten...

[Hagar]

The thing is, this is going on in our country as well as yours (and in other countries as well), and we are all angry about it.

It's as if Veterans have been forgotten...

I realise that but it's hardly anything new. As Romulus pointed out earlier, veterans have been suffering for many years & much as I regret that I expect they will continue to do so. Politicians aren't renowned for keeping promises & most people should be aware of that. I even remarked on the fact that despite knowing it they still fall for it every time.

If you feel strongly about this you're free to start a separate topic. I took a risk in posting this one as it could be seen as political but as I get older myself it's something I feel strongly about. I can't see the situation improving & this could easily affect me sooner than I might like to admit.

I apologise if there was any confusion. Maybe I should have entitled it "How my country treats its old folk" which is actually what I intended to discuss.

[jordonj]

Well, both are relevant topics, and I do feel that both are worth talking about...

I wonder how Bjorn would have responded...?

[Hagar]

Well, both are relevant topics, and I do feel that both are worth talking about...

I wonder how Bjorn would have responded...?

Well we all know his feelings on the subject of veterans & considering his background I never found them surprising or offensive. He was simply telling the truth.

I don't know how Germany treats its old folk but I hope they do better than my lot. I don't think they could do much worse.

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

This is why I wouldn't join the Air Force.
Its utter crap that Squadron Leader Duke is forced to sell his medals etc and it should not be happening. However, it has happened and there ware steps that must be taken. This not only highlights the crap nature of health care around the world but why also why you shouldnt'get sick.
Shit happens!


A.


P.S its Caesars not Caesar's the ' is an ownership apostrophe.