Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Veterans have earned healthy skepticism of government. Why? Atomic Veterans, Edgewood Experiments, Abestos, laser, radiation, depleted Uranium exposures, Tuskegee airmen Syphilis and Agent Orange. Some past examples of service members being used as guinea pigs.
More recently we have Bromide pills, The Peanut Butter shot, Mefloquine, Combat Cocktails, Covid and Anthrax Vaccines. Personally I’ve had six Anthrax shots and others of these exposures. Many effects of the above mentioned are a mystery.
When planning a mission, business plan etc. there is no half rights. Half rights lead to wasted resources, time and ultimately failure.
Mission planning often proceeds without support. This would be the case of the much needed shelter at the Fargo National Cemetery.
Initially being told no on a shelter Mission planning proceeded to privately build one. The mission went forward and like a successful Guerilla Warfare mission support was gained from many areas. Many big guns from business and politicians stayed silent and a few fired against us. Most of the populace opened their doors. With each burial testimonial support grew.
Now mission parameters have been achieved. Victory it seems is at hand. So it seems.
It was announced last Friday, the VA will grant the land and build a shelter at the Fargo National Cemetery. But is this a victory?
My rudimentary understanding is the VA will supply the land. It will allow a building and even build it.
They will not however fund the building. So, a privately funded building on federal land? It appears so.
Once the building is built the VA will assume total control over the building.
Where does this leave the companies that came on board to build this pro bono for veterans and more importantly their families? Let’s not forget the NDSU students that invested in design efforts.
What about the donors that donated for a shelter? Will they be ok, giving it to the government?
Lately another 60 Billion proposed to Ukraine, and VA medical resources going to illegals. Yet we privately fund a shelter for veterans and their families that is given to the government? I wrote this yet do not understand it.
What will the building look like? What will day to day operations look like? This past Monday was Presidents Day. We have families members come out almost daily. Would the shelter have been open on a federal holiday? What about daily operations?
Yes, this shelter is still a mission. A mission that cannot be completed half right for the veterans and families.
Part 2 March 7. More half right theories and bolstering skepticism.

Send me an email: 11btwk@gmail.com.