Does it even matter, I ask myself as I read and hear the outrage of so many Americans about the care of our wounded veterans coming home. I understand politically it will have huge leverage for the Democrats as they show their disgust and outrage and question the support of the troops. The media is having a field day.

I understand politically the Republicans will retort that at least they allocated money to improve and help our defense budget get bigger and meet the needs of the military .

Where does the blame fall? As a former military wife, University of Michigan graduate and even a registered Democrat, it is time for self-reflection and to stop the finger pointing if we truly support those who serve. Those generals the administration/ Pentagon fired and made scapegoats were merely that - scapegoats to quell the fires.

The fault lies on the shoulders of all of us. The fault lies with the Dems and the Republicans. The fault lies with every American who did not go to visit our veterans at the hospitals and see their conditions. This was not hidden. This has been there right in front of the noses of every Washingtonian. Being from Potomac myself, I know millions drive by Walter Reed every day. Yet far less went in to make any kind of difference.

This is only the beginning of a huge laundry list of poor conditions that exist everywhere including here on Florida's Gulf Coast. The abuse and neglect has not just been wrought on our current heroes coming home wounded, but for veterans of all wars who have been forgotten, misused for political purposes, and not heard when they mentioned that they were having any trouble getting their health care needs met.

We have been so busy dividing our country and ourselves from one another...arguing and screaming about the war and whether we should have been there or not, their voices with small complaints veiled in soft dignity fell on deaf ears.

From the moment one steps on the premises of a Veteran Administration Hospital, it should be welcoming, warm and clean with the top care we afford the wealthiest of Americans. There should be no difference between the care the President and Senators get than the medical care our wounded veterans receive. After all, these heroes were willing to lay down their lives for the very freedoms we too often take for granted. The bumper stickers and yellow ribbons mean nothing if they are welcomed home to such poor care and treatment.

There are millions of military heroes working in those Veterans hospitals trying to help our wounded amid a meager budget and lack of concern,even indifference until the ugliness of it all was slammed down our throats....until we could not look away any longer.

In this season of Lent and Passover for so many millions, let us remember what it all means, valuing human dignity within ourselves after struggle and for others among us. Let us remember that this means offering aid if able to do so to others in need... to preserve the dignity and freedom of all. Our wounded have suffered enough emotionally and physically and to threaten their dignity with these abhorrent conditions cannot continue.

Alessandra Kellermann Operation Healing Angel

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