Mullen apologizes for comments on wounded care

Mullen apologizes for comments on wounded care

Disabled American Veterans had issued a statement blasting comments made recently by the JCS chairman
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday May 4, 2010 19:07:43 EDT

A call by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs for community organizations to step in to help wounded war veterans make the transition to civilian life has drawn complaints from a major veterans organization and an apology from the JCS chairman.

There is nothing wrong with asking community-based groups to help, but the primary responsibility for wounded warriors rests with the federal government, said David Gorman, executive director of the Washington headquarters of Disabled American Veterans, in reaction to remarks made over the last few weeks by Adm. Mike Mullen.

“It is the exclusive responsibility of the federal government because it creates disabled veterans,” Gorman said Tuesday in a statement. “It is the government’s solemn duty to care for and treat all veterans who are wounded and disabled in America’s wars. It is unfathomable that Adm. Mullen would suggest such a plan, asking charities to provide the care now given so compassionately by the VA.

“It makes one wonder if Adm. Mullen believes it is best to return to the days when disabled veterans sold pencils on street corners and relied on the support of charitable organizations,” Gorman said. “The DAV has the greatest respect for Adm. Mullen” and said the organization commends Mullen’s “remarkable service to our country, but one must wonder what he was thinking.”
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Mullen apologizes for comments on wounded care