Hawaii’s Veterans – January 2010 edition
To Our Local Veterans
By DR. Chuck
This is the second in a series of articles and information for our Veterans in Hawaii
We believe because we want to believe until we are deceived.
Well here we are into another year and I can only hope and pray it is a better one for all those in need and suffering psychologically, physiologically, financially, and spiritually. 2009 was a tough year for many of us, and for me it was the year from hell! It seems like when things go wrong it generates a spiral affect, and everything appears to be turned upside down like the old adage of turning over the apple cart.
There were financial problems, two cancer surgeries, sleep apnea, diverticulitis and hypertension, this is not to mention PTSD and legal problems. Then just as I get to the point where I feel it is the final straw and I can take no more, things start to fall in place, I finish my book Leah, The Island Princess and turn it in to my agent in hopes and prayers of a sale to one of the mainstream publishers. I was finally after fourteen years I was taken off Individual Unemployables and given 100% scheduler, a feat in itself since I was 90% and 10% IU. I began to start to appreciate that which was good, like my family and mission in life, helping those in need, I was given a gift, the ability to write and help others. This in turn helped me. I was commissioned to Colonel by the sitting Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for Humanitarian service and finally Really Hawaiian .com allowed me to write a monthly article to better serve our local Veterans.
So as we must, we need to move forward and strive to do the best we can and to reach out to those in need and those helping those in need. We cannot depend on external organizations helping and must reach out to those that are helping like Christian Works Hawaii.
This new year is the first time in over three decades a cost of living allowance will not be granted. For those of us that are compensated Disabled Veterans we will receive a one time payment of 250.00 dollars then our regular payment every month afterwards. For those just on social security, a one time payment of 150.00 dollars then regular payment thereafter. This saddens me as we are behind the curve already and have been since the big pay raise for minimum wage. The minimum wage went up almost forty percent, everything went up commensurately, then disabled veterans received a 7% increase placing us 33% behind the money curve, then the following year we went farther behind, and now with a 7% increase in the federal government and none for the rest of us we are even farther behind in buying power, Where will it stop? It all looks good on paper, but when you get your check and see how much less you get for what money you have you then start to take notice of what is happening. IT is starting to appear as though we are eliminating the middle class and soon there will be the working class poor and the wealthy, and that is when we start to have real problems!
Let us work together as one voice sounding loudly for what is rightfully ours, the sacrifice we have made through shedding our blood and giving of our youth.
May you be mightily Blessed this New Year and all your needs met and most of your wants.
Love and Respect,
Chuck
To all those that have tried to get through to read the article and make a comment it should be easier now!
Chuck
Aloha! I am Thomas Thundereagle Medicine Elder of the (TSALAGI)Eastern Cherokee Nation and A Twisted Hairs Elder of the Storytellers for over 400 tribes from Alaska to Peru. I have known Dr.Chuck Sanders and his family for many years and have worked along side him. I am also a three tour Vietnam, Panama,and Desert Storm Veteran.Chuck has more dedication to Veteran’s issues on a one to one basis then any Veteran’s advocate I have every met. Chuck is tireless and extremely motivated to each individual case depending opon its merits. All Veterans who have un-resolved issues and have given up on the system…should seek Chuck out. I believe he can turn the tide on your claim…or help you to initiate a new one. As a spiritual Native American healer and teacher…and keeper of the Crystal Medicine for the Big Island, I am truly blessed to call Chuck my brother and close friend. Please help support Chuck and visit him at the Market on Sundays…you will not be disappointed. Ahui Hou! Aho! Tom Thundereagle thundereagle2244@yahoo.com
Dr. Sanders is fighting for the veterans to get the help they need for putting their lives on the line!
I LOVE READING DR.CHUCK, HIS ARTICLES ARE INFORMITVE. I APPRECIATE THE TIME HE TAKES TO GATHER CORRECT INFO.
*As a disabled vet I find it a shame that we have to live BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. We served our country with our BLOOD so a lot of you fat cats can make more money and live the good life. Not for nothing but where’s our fair share????
It is time for Veterans to get the honors and benefits they deserve. We can only hope America wakes up and starts serving those who gave their all for our freedom.
WOW, this is a great site and products.
When I first came to the Big Island, I had nothing. An old friend of mine lived here and was going to take me in and teach me his business. I sold everything and bought a 1-way ticket. Unfortunately he died suddenly 3 days before my arrival. WOW, i was lost but I got on the plane.
One of the first people I met was Chuck Sanders through a Christian group. The limited Hele-on bus was difficult to do anything (could not afford taxi) later I bought a bicycle. I called Chuck and he dropped everything to come get me immediately.
I had no idea that there were any Veterans benefits I could get 30? years after Vietnam. Anyway he saved me from a terrible predictament. So if there are any vets out there please contact him nad get the help u need.
*Can’t say enough for Chuck ! He has even helped someone that really hurt him , It’s called Bitting The Hand that Feeds you. But the old adage is……..what goes around comes around! No One can keep a good Man down ! *
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I’m Carolle, I have known Chuck and his family for many years now, and truley, he’s an “Outstanding” individual. There are very few Veterans here who like Chuck, give endlessly, day after day, for the sake, and cause of our Veterans.
As a DAV Chapter 9 Service Officer, Chuck has consistently provided “top of the line serrvice” when helping Veterans file their Disability claims. Many Veterans, including myself have benifitted from his wisdom, knowledge and driven sprit to provide Veterans the best possible opportunity to get the benefits they so richly deserve. I still and will send Veterans to Chuck, and will reintroduce awareness to VA Honolulu of his efforts and need for support. God Bless America, and God Bless you Chuck!
I want to express my sincerest appreciation for all the support and comments from those i serve and will continue to serve as best I can!
Love and Respect,
Chuck