Veteran Veritas

Following is a letter forwarded to me by a local combat veteran of the Marine Corps. His name has been deleted, but he has given permission to publish his petition for explanations for the declination of life insurance as a result of having a PTSD diagnosis. ( Note. Since this was posted the author has elected to share his name. It is Pete Bourret. He is a combat veteran of the Marine Corps who served in Vietnam.)

I am familiar with this very sad fact of life. I am equally conversant with its prevalence and the gross lack of justice involved. The impunity embedded in our nations Insurance industry is soon to become a national disgrace. The irony of the fact that a warrior can defend his/her nation and its system of capitalism and in turn not be qualified for life insurance, is beyond comprehension.

Someone, somewhere, has created some bogus science that states that Post Traumatic Stress shortens ones life span. This veteran is asking to see proof of this assertion. I am asking to see studies, from either the National Institute of Health or the VA, that indicate this confabulation.

Can you imagine the impact on a young soldier with a family when they learn that the mental health care they received on the heels of war is preventing them from protecting their very own family’s finances. I see rage on the horizon. I see class action law suits. And worse, I see the myriad of caring outreach programs at Vet Centers and VA clinics backfiring when the word travels that you are sealing off your future financial options. Who do these folks think they are? Maybe we should just draft all executives in the insurance industry first.

So the citizen soldier who is wounded in war is rendered incapable of being a full citizen in the country they just upheld. Is there a more poignant hypocrisy to be found?

We will be re-visiting this open wound in the veteran community over the next several months. Possibly, the parent company of the Citizen, Gannett, can help us out with a feature article in USA Today, which is known for its veteran and military coverage. Or are they too owned by the Insurance Industry?

November 11, 2009

Pruco Life
PO Box 8660
Philadelphia, PA 19176-8660

Denise Holmgren
Vice President, Underwriting:

This letter is in response to your companies response to my request for specific information, which I have requested on multiple occasions yet have failed to receive; a copy of your original letter will not suffice.

Please advise me if I should conclude that your determination of my uninsurability was based on my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis in general. I ask this because I have repeatedly requested the specific information (three times) that you utilized in your determination; however, I only received several hundred pages of my VA mental health records without any specific details. Let me be as clear as I can be: I expect you to submit to me the specific language that caused your organization to draw the conclusion that I am not an appropriate candidate for life insurance.

This is my last request for this information that you have an obligation to provide to me in a timely manner. I find it ironic that I am writing this letter to your organization on Veterans’ Day, yet it seems that your company fails to honor veterans who served and became casualties of war. The fact that your organization believes that a veteran with a PTSD diagnosis is a poor candidate for a life insurance policy shows that there is great ignorance about this diagnosis within your organization. Had you bothered to check with my psychiatrist because of a concern, you would have discovered that I am much more than the basic notes that he wrote. You were too busy to do that because we know that the business of American business is the bottom line. For veterans like myself, when I volunteered to serve as a combat Marine in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, my bottom line was to defend your freedom and to protect my fellow Marines. I guess our values do not coincide.

In closing, I ask you to re-evaluated your process for determining insurability in the area of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Regardless, it only makes sense that potential recruits to the Armed Forces should be made aware through full disclosure that serving is also hazardous to their insurability should they be traumatized by of combat. As a retired English teacher with too much time on his hands, I will gladly set the educational process in motion. I think it is time that people learn how your organization actually “supports” the troops.

Happy Veterans’ Day,

Peter Bourret/USMC

Well over a million troops have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since the advent of, “Shock and Awe” in March of 2003. A recent study by the VA has indicated that approximately 30% of the returning combat veterans are experiencing post traumatic stress disorder upon returning to civilian life. Most of these are young men and women are the future of our communities and our country. If these young and some not so young, as we have seen a much larger population of career soldiers and Marines in this conflict, are not diagnosed soon after coming home they frequently turn to substance abuse and behaviors that may interrupt relationships with family, friends and superiors. The Vietnam experience witnessed vets being reviled, rejected, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed,(PTSD entered the DSM in 1980). Many of these men and women isolated themselves, rebelled and eventually drained our society of its most precious resource; their productive lives. Will history repeat itself for this new generation of veterans? This must not come to pass again

There is a sacred place here in Arizona that is duty bound to prevent and ease the pain of transition to polite society. It is called the Merritt Center in Payson, Arizona. The Veteran Program that is now in its fourth year has been the source of healing and camaraderie for combat veterans from 7 Wars. From WWll to Tekrit the Merritt Center has hosted men and women who have one thing in common; War.

Since its founding in 1987, the Merritt Center, a non-profit organization has been working with individuals seeking positive ways to move past traumas that have disrupted their lives. The Center has a virtual potpourri of offerings from Sweat Lodges to native talking circles and deep massage therapy so as to get back in touch with the body and its ways of holding pain and emotion. The professionals who volunteer their time are all highly skilled in alternative techniques that bring a sense of closure to past bodily and emotional disruptions.

By observing the needs of the new returning veterans, by way of there trained mentors who are spread across Arizona, and noting the sad history of neglect by their predecessors- the Center has chosen to offer a free program for returning veterans of war.. A series of 4 weekend retreats over the course of 5 months, separate ones for men and women bring a perspective of healing and renewal to the veteran who will most likely not find anything quite so potent inside conventional medicine and therapy.

Over these four weekends the participants are given presentations about the core nature of trauma, its signs and symptoms, and guided at all times by combat veteran mentors who are graduates to the program, many of whom have been helping their comrades for years. A few of the techniques that are learned are; trauma release exercises, body energy work, guided visualizations, drumming, journaling, and Native American talking circles that are quite popular with the vets. Concluding the program is a Sweat Lodge ceremony to purge the toxins of the mind, body and spirit. At the final session the veterans new and home families gather in harmony to celebrate their strong bond and new commitment to healthy living.

The four weekend program seeks to achieve the following goals.

* learning to recognize and release the triggers of trauma
* releasing the negative experiences of combat
* learning new skills to reduce nightmares, flashbacks, and hostile behavior
*reprogramming the mind to expect and trust safety
*creating a new “band of brothers and sisters” who will share the lessons and spread the word
to others vets returning to civilian life.

The nearby ancient Pueblo Ruins coupled with the spa, forest paths, flower garden, hammocks, meditation areas and a ton of quiet places, makes the Merritt Center one of the most unique places in all the west. I for one have been enriched beyond words with the honor to be one of the mentors for this most blessed program that is 100% FREE

For information, contact Betty Merritt at 928-474-4268 or visit the website at;”www.MERRITTCENTER. ORG”

Each day I wake and think about the intention of this Post, I know I am at risk for feedback that…. well lets say, might not be from the book of Miss Manners. Unfortunately, that is the state of nation, with the exception of many of our own Bloggers, who have clearly been most supportive of each other since this site launched back in the first week in July.

This quote from E.B. White summarizes the emotions that flow through me each day,as I contemplate what may be worth publishing for the good of the order and the furtherance of civility.

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were challenging, that would be no problem. Then I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day”

I suspect this may capture the sentiment of many retirees as myself.

The project here at “TucsonCitizen.com”, does however, provide an existential sense of usefulness for myself and apparently for a slew of veterans who chime into this site, as the viewings of “Veteran Veritas” are amongst the highest of all the Blogs.

“Whooda known?”

Thank you fellow vets, friends and families for riding with us in this new blogosphere adventure.

SPIRITUALLY DEFINED

An event or series of events either induced by war, sexual trauma, physical abuse,or accident that is outside the fruit of the spirit.( Galatians 5:22-23). The experience results in a deep wounding of the heart;(Lamentations 1:20, 2:11, 3;13-18) creating the formation of an idol of thought, frequently defined as intrusive thoughts, causing change in behavior and attitudes.(Psalm 135;15-18, Psalm 115; 5-8, Galations 5;19-21). This behavior inspires a false worship creating a separation from God(Isaiah 59;1-8) which leads to a broken heart and spiritual torment.(Job 18;5-21).
The condition of PTSD has worsened and become more prevalent in recent times, as a result of both war and an increasing violent society.
I know this small divergence from the clinical approach, which I know well, may not resonate with all readers, but for the few it does. let it be. Psychology can only take one so far in the pilgrimage of awareness. A spiritual dimension is needed to bring a lasting contentment or the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Okay Citizens of the World, and the astute and quick to respond TucsonCitizen.com bloggers and commenters, I anticipate that I will be nabbed here for being “partisan”, as some of our fans see it everywhere to the point where I think that during a Monday Night Football match they would want the game to be stopped because the opponent does not agree with them, and are therefore ‘partisan!’ Whatever.

Here is my educated and small world take on Health Care, colored with 34 years industry experience. VA System, St.Marys and UMC Mental Health, while in Nursing School, and as a Veterans Benefits Counselor.

This is small stuff folks so be gentle now, the summer of aberration is over.

All the flap about the Government destroying free market enterprise does not pan out. Most all Health Care markets are a near monopoly pre-determined by the giant HMO”s who pretty much decide who will take a certain market and leave another alone. Retired health care professionals will testify to this gimmick. It is very much like the old Mob families. Except the mob was managed better.
But here’s the thing. The VA Home Loan program, which I know intimately, has been sitting side by side with FHA el al, since the 1940’s. Has it dented, damaged or demeaned the competition in the home loan industry? No, not one iota. In fact it has bolstered the entire competitive nature of the home loan industry, and regulated itself so as to not have the internal fraud, and disgusting greed and malice that we have seen this past 5 years.

I beseech you, who do you want as your trustworthy Uncle in this scenario, Uncle Sam, or Uncle Guido? The argument of the Government,(which is still us, last time I woke) destroying Capitalism in America is pure nonsense. Even the icon, Reagan knew this well as he vociferously defended deficit spending. Without the Government intervening, Capitalism is but a paper dream, especially now.

And last, from my small world, I just want this one on the record, as my bookie told me to!

In the next few weeks or so, we are going to witness the VA Health Care system come off the bench and enter the health care game as a ringer. They are going to make some 3 point shots from, “downtown” as the sportscasters say, and blow partisanship right out of the saddle.

Not unlike Ted Kennedy’s Title lX Legislation for gender equity in sports that passed 35 years ago, no Donkey or Elephant will ever squawk about their daughter getting an athletic scholarship for a College sport that heretofore they never would have been awarded. My cousin Christine Caliway got one for the UofA Basketball team. This never would have happened without that fine bi-partisan legislation. Something tells me this debate is similar. If 24/7 Cable television took a 30 day break like Congress does, it may happen faster.

So, stay tuned, I say the VA is coming to a theater near you.

This survey is also used for our own Veterans Administration Hospital here in Tucson. I thought the results of the survey were worthy of adulation, and a bit of bragging. While all the cities being compared would be of little interest to our readers, our comparison to the National results are noteworthy.

Inpatient Satisfaction: National 62.1% Tucson VA 71.1%

Outpatient Satisfaction: National 55.6% Tucson VA 59.7%

Provider Wait less than 20 minutes: National 78.9% Tucson VA 85.9%

Getting Care quickly when needed: National 78.7% Tucson VA 80.6%

These are SHEP scores from October 2008 to March 2009 provided via Health Care Trends the newsletter for the Southern Arizona Health Care System.

It is no wonder so many winter veteran visitors wait until they come to Tucson for their health care. It appears that not all Government health care is so maligned.

Back in March of 1976 a lawsuit was filed in the US District Court, Northern District of New York. A veteran named Edwin Cosby discovered that he even though he had an Honorable Discharge he had a derogatory spin code in his separation papers known as the DD-214.

Virtually unknown to all veterans of Armed Forces, the D.O.D. began inserting these descriptive, cryptic codes as far back as June of 1956. Instruction Memo 1336.3 ordered the military departments to insert a coded number on the documents used for employment references.

In 1974 the D.O.D testified at a Congressional hearing that only a couple hundred thousand documents had a code number and that the Spin coding system would be abolished. That never happened and by 1977 over 20 million veterans with Honorable Discharges had a spin coded number which they were never aware of and mostly likely are not to this day.

Congress attempted to pass a law regarding the use of spin codes, yet all proposed legislation has failed. Big Brother is alive and well.

The use of these codes can seriously hamper the veterans efforts to find gainful employment, obtain a loan, or procure insurance. Banks, life insurance companies, State and Federal agencies, and major corporations use these codes. Lists of the codes have been sent to Federal Aviation Administration, Housing and Urban Development and the Office of Personnel Management.
And we are worried about socialism!

Veterans can, however, ask to have spin codes removed from their DD-214.

To examine a list of the codes go to “http:www.landscaper.net/discharge.htm” or visit “http://veterancourtcodes.com”

Tomorrow night, Saturday the 25th at Hotel Congress 6-10pm is our benefit concert supporting the Returning Veteran Program at the Merritt Retreat Center. The band “Still Cruisin” accompanied by the “Shere Delites” are performing for us. Veterans are free. Donations accepted for Merritt Center 501-C-3. See “MerrittCenter.org”
What was once known as shell shock and now as Post Traumatic Stress, has come to the foreground in recent years as veterans of war transition to civilian life. We have learned much about this gap of time that can be critical to the quality of life of the veteran. The Merritt Center four week basic training for recovery and healing was designed with great care and compassion by one woman named Betty Merritt.
The Merritt Center and Lodge is a non-profit retreat center in Star Valley, Payson, Az. It was founded in 1987 by Betty for individual or group renewal and empowerment skills. In talking to veteran friends Betty learned that “combat is nasty stuff.’ Her dream was to ease the pain and anguish of these men and women and prevent the self destructive behavior that families witnessed in the Vietnam Veteran who was seldom welcomed in polite company. The program is spread over several months and attempts to provide new structures of self and a release from the traumatic triggers and residual symptoms of combat stress. The staff are all volunteers and provide their services gratis to the vets. From professional therapists to the cooks, everyone is a volunteer. The family like setting and the freedom of the forest creates a perfect, safe setting to simply let go. The validation and trust that comes with a group of vets who all have one thing in common is the source of a level of healing that cannot be found in a traditional setting. Having been involved in the program as a graduate, and now as a Mentor for 3 years, I can attest to the efficacy of this very unique and sacred place.
With a spiritual focus the participants are able to look at what brings them solace as they drop some of the triggers that loop them into the “fight or flight” syndrome, that frequently lead to vocational and marital problems.
While the program was designed for the OEF/OIF and Afghan veteran, it was discovered that there was still some healing to be done in the general veteran population. Which is to say that the participants are coming from all wars. One evening we had 5 wars around the supper table! Where in American history has that ever occurred? It is quite clear that the effects of war are timeless and have no respect for rank or position in life. To have that experience with a band of brothers is simply transforming.
The Returning Veterans Program costs the Merritt Center approximately $150 for each of the 4 weekends. With the help of the volunteers and private donations the retreat remains free to any combat veteran of any war. We hope to keep it that way forever.
There is also a program for Women that will include the wives of the military. The woman’s program just completed their second retreat.
The dates for the Men’ Retreat beginning in 2010 are; January 15-17. March 5-7. May 14-16. July 9-11.
The dates for the Women’s Retreat are: Feb. 5-7. April 16-18. June 4-6. July 30th-Aug 1st.

Call for application at 928-474-4268. or email “betty@merrittcenter.org.”

For starters, I sure hope this adolescent poppycock does not get milked for the balance of the summer. And by adolescent, I do mean the content of the question, which will be settled soon, but the way it plays out in the media, and the cottage industry and frenzy it creates in the minds of already marginally sane ideologues.
With that as a preface, I say that if Obama is not a citizen of the USA, then we have to be gravely concerned about the skill set of the FBI, CIA, NSA, and INS, as all of these agencies are mandated to vet a United States Senator prior to their taking the Oath of Office. If he ain’t the real McCoy than he is bringing down four agencies in the process. Fat chance.
The indolence of the major media in not knowing or addressing this fact of process and protocol is a story in itself.
Media indolence, however, is abound. In the 2000 Presidential election there was story flying across America about how overseas ballots were not “postmarked,” and therefore invalid. Americans bought this poppycock too. As a one time contributor to the Stars and Stripes I can tell you with certainty that correspondence from men and women at war is not postmarked and never has been since WWl, It comes by way of the Armed Forces Postal System and is frequently not dated. No media outlet reported this simple truth and milked the story and lathered the people of this fine land for months.
If you take this country of origin issue to its extreme than George Washington’s Presidency should be annulled as we was not a citizen of the United States. He was born in a British Colony. Mitt Romney’ father was born in Mexico, John McCain in Panama, and Barry Goldwaters birth place was questioned. So what’s for breakfast?
And why in the world anyone thinks a Birth Certificate is sacrosanct is beyond reason. Have you ever been in to an OB.GYN ward when a child is born? They will write in the name of the parents you tell them to write. No one asks for ID! Doctors will pre-sign the Birth Certificate leaving the fathers name blank. And someone thinks that these un-notarized documents are some form of Divine Edict?
The newspaper announcements of a child’s birth are equally valid as they name time,and place. There are three announcements of Obama’s birth in local papers in Hawaii. I suppose those news outlets were part of some grand conspiracy that is tied into the predictions of Nostradamus! My word, lets bring back the Lacey Petersen Trial for the summer.
Get some professional genealogists on the evening news and close the case. Hard to do when you have to fill 24/ 7 cable news for Mr. Murdoch. I think I will hang with the Tucson Citizen bloggers myself. No one here is taking any “527″ money.

I just completed the 14th workshop/retreat for combat veterans at the Merritt Center in Payson, Az. I cannot say enough about how unique and powerful this venue is for the learning of new life skills while transitioning from war to civilian life. While the local VA does a stellar job in their service to returning vets, this program is a spiritual addendum to conventional care. By spiritual, I do not mean mainline churchy stuff. I am talking about deep soul sharing and the validation that combat veterans afford each other in dialogue and structured Native American Talking Circles, Sweat Lodges, and Hopi Ceremonies. This is not your Father’s therapy! I wish I could take every single returning veteran to this sacred place before they enter the workforce. And it is free!