Editor:

I feel this is an appropriate time to write this and voice my feelings about the way our veterans are being treated, since it is almost Independence Day, and the anniversary of my father's death.

My father is a WWII veteran. He served in the Army for over 20 years, to keep all of us free. He lived nine years after his retirement. At the time of his death, I was six years old. I have two older brothers that were under the age of 14. My mother received Social Security for us kids and never asked for a penny of help from anyone else to raise the three of us.

Now it is 48 years since my dad died on July 1, 1961. My mother is now 93 years old, never remarried, lives in a HUD-subsidized apartment for senior citizens, and until late last year never pursued getting any help from the military for anything. She has had a hard time making it now. Mom was diagnosed with dementia late last year. Now after three denials for any kind of help for her, many months of paperwork and sending away for records that I hardly new existed, she received a letter stating that she could get some benefits. (We received some help from one of our federal politicians and a VA representative.) I dropped my mouth when I read it. They have agreed to pay her $45 per year. I feel this is an insult to our veterans, their spouses and families.

I truly understand why so many veterans feel like they are forgotten and the government could care less about them.

JOYCE BRYAN, Glenrock