Kathie Costos
June 21, 2014
There are over 22,000 posts on Wounded Times. Sometimes I forget exactly how much information is here until I read a news report and remember other reports I've read over the years. In 2010 a story broke that showed how twisted things were in this country for our veterans. It was the story of a Medal of Honor Hero from WWII dying in a California Veterans Home and the VA billed his family for "their services" to him. His name was Alejandro Ruiz.
A hero in life owes a huge sum in deathRuiz passed away in 2009 but as you read, he was treated by the VA Veterans Home since 2005. That meant while two Presidents were in office from two different parties. In those 5 years both parties controlled the VA budget and were supposed to be making sure veterans were receiving the care they not only deserved, but the care they earned.
Napa Valley Register
By KERANA TODOROV Register Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, February 28, 2010 3:37 pm
Alejandro Ruiz was buried in November at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville with full military honors, half a century after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor.
This month, Ruiz’ daughter was stunned to learn the California Department of Veterans Affairs billed Ruiz’ estate $262,500 for the care the veteran had received in Yountville.
Celia Ruiz said she thought that by pursuing the estates of former veterans, the state is disrespecting their service.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “These people sacrificed their lives for us.”
VA spokesman for the department declined comment on the case, but said it is common for the state to seek payment for housing and medical services from the estates of veterans who lived or were under the medical care of any of the state’s five veterans homes.
Ruiz received the Congressional Medal of Honor for acts of heroism on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa, Japan. On April 28, 1945, then-Pfc. Ruiz lunged alone through flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire to take on Japanese pillbox, killing 12 enemy soldiers and completely destroying the position.
Ruiz retired from the U.S. Army as master sergeant in 1964 after 20 years of service, settling in Visalia, where he lived for decades. About four years ago, in frail health, Ruiz moved to the Veterans Home of California at Yountville, where he paid about $3,000 a month for room and care.
While there Ruiz required extensive medical treatment, but the family believed the costs were covered.
When he died on Nov. 20 at age 85.
read more here
Now maybe we can all move past thinking this is about one party over another and get politics out of the discussion. Maybe we can at least fight for them on both sides since they fight for all of us. If they can get along to the point where they are ready to die for each other in combat, then why can't we at least get along long enough to fight for them as a united front for their sake?
BOHICA was never truer. (Bend Over Here It Comes Again). There is a sign outside the VA in Washington that refers to looking after the Veteran. If they could only live up to what they preach.
ReplyDeleteYep! This story sums up why most of us (veterans and families) talk about a whole different world from what is reported in the news. None of this is new to us. We also know exactly who to blame. It falls on Congress. Did you know the House Veterans Affairs Committee started in 1946? That's how long they've had to fix it once and for all. For heaven's sake Truman was President back then!
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