There are a variety of groups, such as Wounded Warriors, raising money for veterans and their families. What is the government’s obligation here? It’s always the people who help these causes.

The government has $300 million for Egypt, but nothing for Wounded Warriors or for homeless vets.

In 1966, when the government called, I went to Vietnam. Now, years later, many of us face the end result of exposure to Agent Orange deforestation chemicals.

We were just 18-year-old kids who didn’t know we were being sprayed with poison. Agent Orange was developed by Monsanto and I can’t believe no chemist or doctor asked about spraying this poison on our troops. I have prostate cancer, Type II diabetes and a variety of other ailments that I connect to my war service.

When I returned home from the war and came through the Seattle airport, I had trash thrown at me and was called a “baby killer.” It was quite a lot to endure as a kid.

Despite all the bad press the Department of Veterans Affairs is getting over health care issues now, I can say the treatment I have received is second-to-none — and from a very dedicated staff.

For those of you who don’t know, the VA’s Butler health care facility is highly rated for its care — counted among the best in the United States. I hear people say they have been waiting six weeks to be seen by a doctor at the VA Butler health care. I can’t believe this. Why would I get great care and others have to wait six weeks? It doesn’t add up.

If the government was fighting a war on my street, I would close the window blinds. But if the fight was for the American people, count me in.

Through all of this, we were brothers who fought without America’s support; brothers who will always be the best of America.

God bless America — government not included.