Bean, Duckworth miss the real issue

Regarding the front page article on Oct. 2, about "spreading the word on veterans programs." As a Vietnam-era veteran, I attended the same open house and benefits fair in Schaumburg as both Tammy Duckworth and Congresswoman Melissa Bean. I found it ironic that this event received very little publicity before it happened and yet made the front page of the Daily Herald after it had occurred.

I also take exception to Duckworth's remarks regarding veterans not taking advantage of benefits offered by the VA health-care system. Duckworth and Bean know that in January 2003 Congress changed the eligibility requirements that would allow veterans to use the VA health-care system. No, it is not a "matter of pride" or we "don't want to burden the system." The fact is that while we veterans served our country and were promised health care, we now no longer qualify for these benefits. The new standards of eligibility were an issue I incorrectly assumed would be addressed by Congresswoman Bean and/or Ms. Duckworth. However, this issue was not mentioned by either one of them. So much for "support our troops."

To both Bean and Duckworth, not only am I a Vietnam-era veteran, I, too, am the daughter of a Marine ( a fact you both stressed at the benefit fair). Ask yourselves how "the few, the proud, and the brave" feel about the treatment -- or in most cases lack of treatment -- veterans are now receiving.

Patricia A. Kurfirst

Elk Grove Village