To the editor:

Some veterans make the remark that in order to help veterans, veterans must join a certain veteran services organization.

Not true. Any veteran and citizen can care and be effective to causes that benefit all veterans. A good example is the late April Kauffman.

A radio host suggests that we “turn VA medical centers into residences for soldiers and veterans who are homeless.”  Others suggest we “give the VA healthcare to those who were injured in the military.”

But what do you do with the more than 8 million registered VA patients, and the 285,000 VA employees, of which approximately 100,000 and veterans?

When veteran advocates, veteran service organization members, and many veterans claim, “I don’t need VA healthcare,” “I have ‘great’ medical coverage” or “I am in ‘great health’,” I answer, “Show me the word ‘guarantee’ in your health contract or pension, and your ‘crystal ball’ that can see your medical care future.”

Lou Green

Veterans Advocate

Mays Landing