Wadsworth Revisited...is it enough?

Yesterday I visited the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Leavenworth, Kansas. I think I like it's former name better: The National Soldiers Home, Western Branch, Wadsworth, Kansas. Yes, that has a grander ring to it...just like my ears do! President Lincoln, with the help of the U.S. Congress, established these homes as a way of repaying these volunteer soldiers loss of a limb or mind directly caused by the U.S. Civil War. These homes were grand in their Victorian design. No expense was to be spared and every effort was made to make sure these homes had the latest in modern plumbing, fixtures, safety equipment, medical services, food, and entertainment. The above image is of the lake...Lake Jeanette. Notice the band shell on the lake. In the 1870's, and until the 1930's, this is where the old soldiers, sailors, and marines would come to ease the heat of the day and listen to music. The band was provided for their enjoyment. They had dances and plays also. A huge library was provided. On pension day the canteen sold beer...70 half barrels worth! I won't tell you that this would meet our modern view of comfort. No, most of you would be appalled by the austerities of the open bay barracks with it lack of air conditioning and privacy. I believe most of you would have turned up your nose at the food the subsistence department provided. I am sure the horror of a visit to the hospital would be leaving you with thoughts of law suits. However, it is our modern eyes that make us blind. This place would have seemed as heaven on earth to these mangled men. Most of them were from farms and hard work and harder living is all that they knew until they were baptised by fire during war. These men had little in way of shelter, food, clothing, and sanitation. Just about all had body lice and sores covered their skin. Think about living as such. Now, think about coming to a place where you didn't have to worry about sores, lice, food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, and entertainment. To boot, they received pensions...money! That was a god send to these men and most enjoyed their stays until their last roll call. I wish it was still like that.

My stay at the soldier's home was short. In 4 hours I was back in my home and thinking about all of the above. I think a lot about the Veterans and how they live. I understand what is like to have wounds that don't show. Some people think that you should "just forget" about your military experience. I wish I could, but it is replayed at odd times during the day and frequently at night. How are you supposed to forget when the nightmares remind you? Yesterday I was told that I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have seen the counselor and the Psychiatrist. I feel guilty that I am not able to get over this by myself and I feel as a failed man...weak. I received my medication with dread and longed for the days when I would have been provided a band, a dance, and maybe a play. I wanted to be with the older men as they shared the days recalling their former glory with Custer. Mostly, I wanted to have pint or two of beer to forget and with luck...sleep in peace.

Upon The Road Of Anthracite

Friday. Today is the day that I visit my priest friend, Father Thorne, at the Price Chopper. As always, he asks me for the latest news about me. I was telling him about this blog and how I was telling its readers about the train Phoebe Snow. He thought for about a minute and said "I remember that train...my brother and I would watch it pull into Hoboken". He was telling me how it was the Queen Mary of the train world. Very posh!

I included the image of Miss Phoebe Snow for all to enjoy. I don't know how much longer I will write about trains and my hometown? I have had such positive comments about it that I feel I must tell the stories. Let me know if you become bored!!

Since today is Friday, I am meant to be playing chess at The Chess Club. I usually try to catch the lesson and play a few off-hand games. Yes, nothing serious to spoil my night. I wonder if Ken has a job opening?

Today was busier than normal. First, I had the breakfast meeting I described above. After that it was off to the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center here in Leavenworth, Kansas. It has a big fancy name, like the Eisenhower Medical Center, but most just call it the VA MC. I had to update my VA identification card, so it includes the words: service connected. I then made an appointment to get a hearing aid and went to Human Resources to ask about a job. I don't need much money, but some more would make home improvements and auto repairs comfortable. Later, I had to take my pretty blue Mustang GT over to the Ford Dealer. I hate doing that. Just as soon as you get there the problem disappears and you can't make anyone believe that it ever existed. The good part about the this dealer is they have free Star bucks coffee. I really like good coffee!

It is almost amusement park time. Soon I will write about the Roller-Coasters in this area. I can hardly wait to get aboard the Mamba at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri. Oh, just as a preview...the first drop is 205 feet!

My First Ship...Forrestal

This week I think I'll do a walk down memory lane. The above is my first ship. She is the USS Forrestal (CV-59). This is how she looked when I left her in December 1982. I remember many things about her, beside being the biggest ship I had ever served on in my naval career. She had a crew of just under 6,000 men. They were divided into ship's company (permanent party) which number around 2,550 men and the embarked air wing (visiting party) with the remainder. She could feed the crew in about 2 hours in 5 different messes and 3 separate ward rooms. Enlisted men eat in the mess and Officer dine in the ward room. The only exception is that Warrant Officers eat in a mess for some strange reason, as they are commissioned Officers...crazy system. The Forrestal was also fast for a big ship. She had 8 boilers which feed 600 lbs. steam into four main turbines producing 250,000 shaft horse power. That is enough to propel the ship over 36 knots. Her true speed is classified, but it is greater than 36 knots. I used to work on the ship's Bridge. It is those top row of windows on the island. I had to wash those by hand as a seaman. That was an adventure all it's own to climb over the railing knowing your about 60 feet above the deck. I visited many wonderful places while stationed on her. If you have questions just leave a comment.

This morning I had to visit the Doctor at the Veterans Affairs Hospital. Everything is about normal. I will soon own a hearing aid for my left ear. I hate it, but I need help hearing. He also wants me to visit the mental health people to discuss some issues pertaining to traumatic events the are service connected.

A Trip to Wadsworth

I like old things. My faithful readers know this by now. The older the better. The above photograph was taken in the late 1800's. I don't know if you can make much out, but it shows how the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Leavenwoth, Kansas, looked back then. Back when it was know as The National Home for Volunteer Soldiers-Western Branch, Wadsworth, Kansas. It was a well designed place with a hospital, chapel, dining hall, ball room, theater, amusement hall which included the canteen, a fishing pond with gazebo, barracks that had bath tubs and hot and cold running water, plus flushing toilets. Please remember that this was back when most folks had outhouses and if you wanted hot water for a bath you had to boil it. This was considered a very nice place to live. I can see why.

I brought all that up to say that I visited this place late last night. I was having some health issues and I thought it best if the Veterans Affairs Hospital Staff recorded my symptoms and treatment. I came into the hospital and was promptly treated. The staff took an interest in my issue and for the most part polite and helpful. I was finished within 90 minutes from the time I walked into the emergency room until the time I walked out of the hospital to my car. This time also includes a visit to the pharmacy. Great! My only issue was this: the Doctor seemed to want to protect the Department of Veterans Affairs from an increase in my disability. I understand this on one level...they must see people who falsely claim an illness from time to time, just so that person can get over on the governments dime. I get that. My trouble is I used to play John Rambo and not report every little ache and pain. I didn't want to be a "Sick Bay Commando" so I sucked it up. Very manly and very stupid! I say it is stupid because you have to prove that you have a injury and that is chronic and that it was caused by your military service. The primary way they do this is scrutinizing your Service Medical Records. If it isn't recorded there then it didn't happen while you were in the service. That is why I need the hospital staff to record my illness...so I can get a veterans compensation and pension that is fair based on my real level of service connected disabilities. My complaint is that they make it hard to do that by employing a subtle from of harassment. How does that help the veteran?