[Vision2020] Grunt's-Eye View

[Pat Kraut]

You have been so active in the 'hate Bush' at all cost that I just wanted to
know. I actually asked a straight forward question as I have no idea who you
are...just as you do not know much about me. Therefore, it is irrational of
you to be hurt by someone that does not know anything about you except for
what you or I have shared on this site. And I am fairly new so do not know
anything that was written before I joined.
Thank you for serving
PK


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "'Pat Kraut'" <pkraut at moscow.com>; "'vision2020'"
<vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 4:45 PM
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Grunt's-Eye View


Pat Kraut, so ignorantly states:

"Tell me something Tom; did you know what the benefits for service people
were before we sent them to Iraq?"

Yes, Ms. Kraut.  I have known of the benefits for service people LONG before
Iraq.  I knew of them while serving a tour in Vietnam in late '69/early '70.
I knew of them during each of my four tours in Germany.  I knew of them
during my tour to Korea.  I knew of them during my various stateside
assignments.

But, most of all, Ms. Kraut, I knew of them when I was medevac'd from
Germany, after having been in a German hospital for six months undergoing
several operations in 1987 (as a result of a training accident that nearly
cost me my life), flown to the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, where I
underwent further operations, and transferred to Fort Ord, California where
I was medically retired from the service in July 1989, rated at 40%
disabled.  Since then my disability has increased to 45%.

I have been diagnosed with severe degenerative osteo-arthritis.  I have
plates, pins, and screws in place from my right knee down through my right
ankle.

Your comments hurt me very very deeply.  I have been active in DAV (Disabled
American Veterans) since my medical retirement in 1989.  I am a lifetime
member of DAV.

Footnote:  Membership eligibility to DAV is inexpensive.  It merely cost me
$150.00 and ever-degenerating arthritis in my right leg.

I am a disably retired Army veteran and EXTREMELY proud of my service.

Tell us, Ms. Kraut.  What have you done for your country lately?

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime."

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.