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Forgotten After the Fight?
Topics: Rocky Nash, ANT, Bakotopia, Veterans, troops, Bakersfield, fundraiser, November, 2008, Non-Profit
Posted by MsNash Mon Jul 7, 2008 13:43:15 PDT
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Forgotten After the Fight?
It’s time to channel our frustration to help our vets - ‘Jerry’s’ story

By Rocky Nash, KRAB - Bakotopia.com contributor

You may know the comedian ANT from “Last Comic Standing” and VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.”

Who knew that as funny as he is, the guy is equally as caring - and patriotic!

In what was supposed to be a PR opportunity for his appearance on VH1’s magic-reality show “Celebracadabra,” ANT took a detour.

Instead of promoting his new show, he proceeded to rant about the hardships American veterans encounter after serving the good ol’ USA in battle.  According to ANT, many vets are bound by so much red tape and neglect, they may die before they receive medical care.


Above: Comedian - ANT

He then shared the story of a guy he knows who’s knee-deep in the quagmire of the Veterans Administration, his friend “Jerry.”

Jerry lives in a rural part of Kern County that has limited public transportation and resources, and lives on a fixed income that barely affords the food and medications he needs - let alone the transportation required to make his appointments to the VA hospital in Los Angeles.

Living on a diet of hot dogs, rice, and other choices unsuitable for his heart condition, Jerry’s miniscule budget is depleted quickly. Stricken with diabetes and heart problems, his condition requires daily medication.



To make matters worse, the taxi service in his tiny community doesn’t function early enough for him to make the trip to Bakersfield then catch the bus to L.A. in time for medical appointments. He can’t afford to make the trip to Bako and stay in a hotel, and staying the night in a bus terminal is not only dangerous for his personal safety, but hazardous to his physical health.

The thought of sleeping on a bench in a bus station to make an appointment in L.A. is unthinkable. He’s a U.S. VETERAN. Why the hell is he (and so many like him) treated like a “throw-away” person? Jerry’s not some dirt-bag hustler who is trying to milk the system. He signed up to serve his country, toured Vietnam and other places. That means he was willing to die for you and your freedom. Now he’s being ignored, mocked, turned away after hours in the waiting room and even arrested for trying to get the care he needs and deserves.

In my initial conversations with Jerry, I am embarrassed to say that I thought what some of you may be thinking right now, “Some of these vets just have a ‘defeatist’ attitude…If he really wanted the care he would find a way … Why was he arrested? Maybe he’s just hard to deal with?”

But his message was simple - all he wants is the care and medications to treat his conditions.

He isn’t getting them and he’s afraid he’s going to die. He’s not concerned with living so much as surviving. Jerry feels as though he’s being strangled by the red tape that clogs the bureaucracy of the Veterans Administration. He gets one story from the VA clinic and another from the VA hospital in L.A. after travelling all day with a debilitating heart condition. Then they send him home after they tell him it’s “his fault” or they can’t help him without proper paperwork.



He fought for our rights, and needs someone to fight for his right to simply see a doctor, get his medicines, and maintain a diet that meets his medical needs.

ANT agrees.

And because I’m the only one he knows who lives remotely close to his friend Jerry, he asked me to help.

Now, I’m asking you:  Are there any charities or organizations that will taxi veterans - regardless of their addresses - where they need to go for medical attention? Are there any charities that will help veterans pay some basic living expenses when their health prevents them from working? Are there any charities that will feed veterans according to their dietary needs at a discount, if not for free?

If there’s organization that meets all three of the aforementioned services, please send me need the name of the charity. If there is anyone who is willing to set up a non-profit organization that will meet the needs described above, I need that name, too.

ANT and I are teaming up to help right these wrongs for our veterans, with a benefit show coming in November - and we need your help.

If you’d like to be involved, send me e-mail at: rockynash@clearchannel.com.

Someone needs to help veterans get the care they deserve - will it be you?

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 32, 7-10-08

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Comment From: matt

Thank You Rocky!! Comment From: asashley

Right-on, sister!