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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, November 6, 2009 10:34 PM CST
LETTER: No aid available for
non-combat injury

WAYNE McDOWELL, Mattoon

I saw the letter of John Bridges’ in the Saturday paper of Oct. 31. He should not be surprised as I’m a veteran of World War II.

I volunteered for the Army in February of 1943. I was discharged in December of 1945. I received a non-combat back injury on Bougainville in the South Pacific.

I’ve tried to get help from government since early in 1946 and have always been told, “you do not qualify.”

I’m 86 and know it’s a little late but I’d like for someone to tell me why I don’t qualify.

WAYNE McDOWELL

Mattoon

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Mama says wrote on Nov 7, 2009 1:24 AM:

" Maybe they thought you got the injury from dancing with one of the native girls. (Just kidding.) To base opinion, you should give more information as to the HOW and WHY of this injury. BACK in the good ole days, military weren't generously handing out money and lawyers weren't suing the goverment.
As a postman, you delivered the mail in spite of this injury for years, and can still walk better than many other men your age. You do walk at a pretty fast clip, therefore, no fiancial help. I haven't seen you in a wheelchair, using other walking devices, just to get around. Doctors have issued pain medications or told you to take aspirin, haven't they. I overheard you say you don't go to doctors and take a lot of medication. But when see you walking, they feel THIS MAN DOES NOT REQUIRE fiancial help since can deliver the mail and refused medication and going to medical persons. Did the road get fixed about your block? "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 7, 2009 11:11 AM:

" Why would someone who was able to work for the post office for over thirty years think they needed help from the goverment? Good grief, how rediculous! "

Jim1969 wrote on Nov 7, 2009 10:32 PM:

" Harry, there have been a number of reports/stories about vets who were injured in the line of duty who were denied certain benefits due to the injury being non combat related and when they sign up for civilian health insurance their condition is not covered because it is pre-existing and because the insurance company feels the military/government should cover it. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 8, 2009 7:02 AM:

" Did the road get fixed about your block?
-------------

Ouch!

Now there you go Mama, you're going to bring back his crying over the bricks on south 15th street again. lol! "

Mama says wrote on Nov 8, 2009 4:10 PM:

" JIM, this is a vet who walked with heavy mailbag for 30 years and retired.
He walks better at 83 than most and doesn't go to doctors or hospitals, nor take medications. So what does he want?
Seems like has all he wants. "

61938 wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:47 PM:

" Mr. McDowell, First of all, Thank You for your service. Second, after your discharge you were rewarded with a nice federal job. This position has given you benefits that most people now days can only dream about. So in other words, chill. "

~STRANGER~ wrote on Nov 9, 2009 7:21 AM:

" Good thing you didn't get hurt, doing all your neighborhood lawn care/landscaping,handyman services, over the last 20yrs too.Surely you had some kind of insurance coverage while working on other peoples property. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 9, 2009 7:40 AM:

" Jim1969 wrote on Nov 7, 2009 10:32 PM:

" Harry, there have been a number of reports/stories about vets who were injured in the line of duty who were denied certain benefits due to the injury being non combat related and when they sign up for civilian health insurance their condition is not covered because it is pre-existing and because the insurance company feels the military/government should cover it. "

An excellent comment that underscores the need for health care reform, Jim. "

Rockin Rotty wrote on Nov 9, 2009 4:15 PM:

" I guess my comments about former county board members & the like, still being full of hot air, didn't make the cut earlier. Perhaps they should just keep their windy stories for the local coffee shops. "

Mama says wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:38 PM:

" Some veterans go to Danville and other veteran hospitals. A lot of the returning veterans should be examined for mental problems. I have known several who return, have excessive anger and lashout, nothing suits them.
The wife and children, and even grandchilden, suffer seeing the veteran displaying this. It has been distressing for soldiers seeing close to death situations, seeing friends killed, and the horrors of war.
So be glad, Mr. McDowell, you have had a good life, retired, then kept busy and making money. Having both legs and arms, while some return missing limbs.
You had a marriage that has lasted years. Some aren't so lucky. We don't receive a lot of help on health issues but I learned TAKE AN ASPIRIN AND SEE ME IN THE MORNING. Sometimes good common sense is how have to handle life. "

laveau wrote on Nov 9, 2009 9:52 PM:

" Its amazing that after 60+ years of an active life you are still complaining that you didnt get money for a back problem. I personally know 3 soldiers who are suffering from PTSD after serving in Iraq. One is so severe it took months for him to be able to drive on the interstate without an anxiety attack worrying about roadside bombs. Not one of them is complaining about the money they deserve. Bricks and money, bricks and money. Is that all you people worry about?! Let it go for craps sake! "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 10, 2009 3:21 PM:

" ..... have excessive anger and lashout, nothing suits them.

It sounds like you know the entire family, Mama. lol! "

Mama says wrote on Nov 10, 2009 9:22 PM:

" Lived long time HP and met a lot of good and bad, and when meet the bad, one stays away from them. lol. Lives of DRAMA isn't for MAMA. lol. "

mhsgal wrote on Nov 11, 2009 4:00 PM:

" Oh, you all crack me up!! He has been complaining for at least 40 years! Does anyone besides me remember he & his wife always calling in to the OPEN LINE on the radio? No matter what they called in about...the beautiful weather, something good happening in Mattoon, etc..somehow the subject of Mrs. McDowell's mother's bad leg always was mentioned. Tee hee "

~STRANGER~ wrote on Nov 11, 2009 5:48 PM:

" mhs gal,good one. "

Mama says wrote on Nov 11, 2009 7:39 PM:

" Some people try anything ONCE, and if don't like it don't do it again.
This explains why some have one child. "

Mama says wrote on Nov 12, 2009 4:41 AM:

" mhs gal, now it is Mrs. McD's bad leg that is topic of all conversations.
Looks like bad leg runs in family.

Take 2 aspirin all know to take for it. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 12, 2009 6:30 PM:

" mhsgal wrote on Nov 11, 2009 4:00 PM:

" Oh, you all crack me up!! He has been complaining for at least 40 years! Does anyone besides me remember he & his wife always calling in to the OPEN LINE on the radio? No matter what they called in about...the beautiful weather, something good happening in Mattoon, etc..somehow the subject of Mrs. McDowell's mother's bad leg always was mentioned. Tee hee "

I remember that, mhsgal. I recall that most of their complaints were either about the bricks on south 15th or some beef they had with one on their relatives. "

The Shadow wrote on Nov 13, 2009 2:45 PM:

" Mr McDowell, the Christmas season is upon us. Time to break out your Scrooge outfit. Oh, my bad, 24/7/365. "