Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Now let me see if I understand this thread properly.

If I were to ask you where, as a senior, I could get the best photographic discounts I would risk being mercilessly attacked for having the temerity to demand a break because of my age. And if I happen to be a veteran too, which I am not, I'm not even American in fact, I would be attacked with double the ferocity.

That's interesting. I suppose your attitudes are that we must all protect the profits of the companies and retailers even when those profits are sometimes obscenely high and even when the retailers themselves often offer discounts to seniors and/or veterans as a recognition for their service and as an attempt to increase their own customer base.

Yes I didn't serve, but I did spend over fifty years paying a hell of a lot of taxes and I still continue to pay them now. I don't know if that entitles me to a break but a break is offered in my country so I enjoy it. We seem to have more respect for those who have devoted their lives to furthering their societies or, in the case of veterans, defending their societies, two concepts that don't seem to exist in your culture.

To further clarify this thread, basically I must never ask for a break on anything for fear that a bit of price competition might lead to socialism or something. The fact that this is a photography forum that deals with very expensive toys, is irrelevant, no one is prepared to give advice on how to save money so that we can protect capitalism to the extreme in a most infantile hysterical manner.

Well, I'm not an American and now I understand why I'm not and have never wanted to be. I am now also better educated, I'll keep my questions purely on technical matters so that I don't trip another infantile bizarre outburst by asking how I might get a better deal somewhere. This has been a useful lesson.

Alas, I am also a member of this forum. And as a member I am embarrassed at how this thread unfolded. To that end I feel I must apologize to the initiator of the question, a veteran who was simply trying to find a break.

I sincerely apologize to you sir for the way you have been treated here and I hope you will be forgiving. It is not good to criticize the intellectually and emotionally challenged, they really can't help themselves. Instead take solace in the certain knowledge that there are other nations on the planet where you will be treated with considerably more respect and where your questions will be appreciated, respected and answered.

And please stay in our forum too. Perhaps by slowly encouraging ever more intellectually and behaviorally mature members through our example we will eventually push out the remainder who belong in a padded cell for everyone's protection including their own.

rickerb Loc: utah

Stated eloquently sir.

:thumbup:

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I believe that there would have been a little more blood when I left! Just saying.................

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Now, that was just uncalled for!

Ralloh Loc: Ohio

You started your reply with the thing about seniors. Since I'm the one who brought that up, I should answer you. Obviously you did not understand my meaning. Just because I have attained a certain age should not automatically entitle me to something. The story of the young couple is true. I live comfortably. Most new families are struggling. Why not give them a little break now and then. I don't need it. That was really my only point.

As too vets, I thank them in my heart every single day for protecting the country I love so much. I also thank them in person every chance I get. What I don't see a lot of people do is to walk up to a cop or firefighter and thank him or her the same way. You will never see a face light up as much as their's do. It really makes their day.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Thanks for your reply. I did actually get your meaning and I support your gesture. But alas, not all seniors are relatively well off, I know far too many who actually depend on the benefits for seniors. It is often those who I end up helping. I'm not well off either but I am comfortable and more so than many. I applaud you for your kindness.

That said then, I would imagine that you can relate to the original question. From my understanding not all veterans are well off after they're discharged. Perhaps this individual was one of those. Or, perhaps he was well off. There is no way to know and to flagrantly assume that he is merely a freeloader is reprehensible.

I was also going to comment about the fact that there are many others who also risk their lives every day to protect or help us. The police and the firefighters come to mind. but there are many others too like the medical professionals. But, my objection to this thread was the way someone was being treated for asking a perfectly legitimate question about an entitlement your society had chosen to give. Recognition for all the others is also needed but that is a different thread for a different forum. The question after all was simply where one can obtain an enhanced veterans benefit if such a thing actually exists.

My intent was not to debate entitlements or what should be done with them, it was to highlight the infantile vitriolic hysteria that had been unjustly lodged against one of our members. My intent was to make it clear that this kind of irrational behaviour is beneath mature educated individuals which some of the respondents clearly are not. My intent was then to also apologize for their bigoted stupidity and insensitivity in the hope that we don't lose another member of our forum, we've lost enough already.

But your gesture is appreciated and your thoughts are also noted, you raise valid and important points. Perhaps these things should be debated in a different forum at another time.

waremick Loc: New Hampshire

Thank you all for the supportive comments. I too feel that this kind of behavior is unacceptable but I feel no need to press the point with those that will not understand anyway. I have endured more than they can imagine and this is only a minor annoyance. "Semper Fi".

dragonswing Loc: Pa

Glad you get some benefits. I can't get any because they say I need to have a service connected disability first.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Someone has given you some incorrect information. It used to be true that you had to serve a full 20 years or leave the service with a disability to be included in the VA medical system.

I have three Vietnam era Vet friends that said it couldn't be true. They applied and now have VA medical benefits.

I can't pinpoint the people that did it, but I think it was Senator Patty Murray led the charge that changed things. About 8 years ago (more or less), all vets that served on active duty are provided care in the VA system. From what I understand it was not a smooth start up as there were not enough facilities. They have since been established.

Please read this link: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap01.asp

It says, "A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits."

The one notable exception is that you need at least two years if you were in after 1980: "Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible."

You start by filling out the form here: www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/

rickerb Loc: utah

my understanding is either a disability or a full retirement.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You used to be correct. I left the Navy in 1975 with that same understanding.

It changed. Two (maybe three) years ago I found out about the change. I filled out the form and two weeks later I was phoned with an invitation to an "initial review" appointment.

As I wrote above, I have three friends that were equally surprised by the change, have applied and are now in the VA system.

rickerb Loc: utah

Ahh yes. OKEY DOKEY. Just looked at the VA site and I believe I am eligible in Group Six. This will be so cool.
As you might have figured out, I am pretty excited about this development.
I think it might have been changed because of Agent Orange.
Possibly I can get help with medications dealing with COPD.
Thank you very much.

rickerb Loc: utah

Warmick, Thanks for opening this (what turned ought to be) a controversial topic.) I know that this was not your intent, but I found out I might be able to get some help with my COPD, as I was exposed to Agent Orange In 1967.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

rickerb,

In the basic VA healthcare system they will treat whatever illnesses you have. It is not like insurance where "pre-existing" conditions are a problem. You fill out the forms, wait a couple weeks and make an appointment. With them, you will figure out what treatment you need.

The different Groups are not at all about the level of medical service you get. It is about how Congress funds the system.

Applying for a disability is a separate process. If you think Agent Orange has affected your health, you have to tell the VA. You fill out a different, more complicated, set of papers. The current backlog is not good. It takes months to get through the disability evaluation process. My experience is that the medical treatment is the same whether you are disabled or not. If you are determined to be disabled due to military service, they send you money every month.

Whether they send you money for a disability or not, as a Vet you get the same medical care.

If you want help with this stuff, find a veteran's organization like the VFW. They take it seriously and can guide you through the paperwork process.

dragonswing Loc: Pa

Thanks bsprague. I will have to look into it. I checked a couple of years ago and was told that the VA hospitals are too crowded to allow treatment of non-disabled vets. They said the only way I could get treatment without a disability
was if I was homeless or my husband divorced me and left me with no money. But the way it was, they said his salary is too great and I could afford getting medical treatment on my own.