Over 1,000,000 Illinoisans voted for Mandatory Full Funding of VA Healthcare!!

Over 1,000,000 Illinoisans voted for Mandatory Full Funding of VA Healthcare!!

by William H. Heino Sr.

In order to keep the public informed, of the 23 county, November ballot initiative, on Friday Aug. 29th, “Operation Firing for Effect” had a Veterans’ Awareness Day March that all came together at the Daley Civic Center. The veterans’ message was for Full Mandatory Funding of VA Healthcare. With a small group band providing music, the veterans’ vocal chanting and shouting their message in the civic center grabbing the attention of the thousands of noontime lunch hour passersby’s, and hangouts, the message of Full Mandatory Funding Of VA Healthcare was made.

Those that were a part of the force behind huge success in Illinois? Speaking to the crowd were Cook County Commissioner Tony Perica, Chicago alderman, Richard Mell, James Balcer, and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn. Many other veteran’s addressed the crowd as well.

The gathering attracted many video and still photographers as well. However, looking at the local TV that evening, and three of Saturday morning newspapers, this was not enough to grab not even 2 lines of mention in print news or on local television. Television news thought that a story about a dog, which they will repeat in the next 10 minutes along with a weather update, was more important than the plight of veterans’ healthcare. Newspapers thought that the public should know, Released mink don’t fare well in wild. Not one single item of this veterans’ event appeared in the news media.

I know by the public’s vote for veterans mandatory funding, that the public does care. However, veterans are concerned, they wanting to make sure that healthcare funding for veterans returning from Walter Reed , Iraq and Afghanistan do not have to experience having to someday shout out, at another time and day, that same message in Daley Plaza