One of my biggest complaints about VA medical centers is the unsafe feeling I have whenever I am in one. Am I crazy for thinking that here in United States any facility attached to our military should be the safest property in the country?
Was Jack Nicolson’s character in A Few Good Men correct when he said, “We live in a world of walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns.” He went on to say, “You want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.”
Last week we had another attack on homeland military properties and four Marines and one Navy sailor lost their lives. These are no longer random attacks. The bodies are piling up and before more are added it is time we rethink the decision to unarm our armed services.
For the past nine-years whenever we pull up to the guardhouse at the VA Hospital in Philadelphia more often than not the sign on the post reads ‘Threat Level Elevated.’ There is a guard there who is either smoking, talking on a cell phone or sleeping. The sight would immediately cause me to feel overwhelmingly frightened. These guards aren’t even military which if you ask me is ridiculous. Is our nation that short of MP’s that we have to hire security guards to protect (or not) our armed forces, our veterans and their families?
Once past the guardhouse the parking garage is dark and unattended.
Inside the building the first thing I notice is the dingy, dirty floors, windows and walls. I don’t want to touch anything. The next thing I notice are homeless people sleeping on garbage bags filled with their belongings. Are they homeless veterans?
You never know who you will be riding in the elevator with. It could be a veteran fighting with his wife, someone having a severe PTSD episode or someone under the influence of something or all of the above.
I was thrilled last week when we pulled up to the guardhouse and were asked for ID, finally!
It lasted only a few days. Last night we drove up to and right past the guardhouse where the guard was sitting inside the house with his eyes on his phone. He never looked up as we drove past. My heart sank and my anxiety rose.
I want to know there is a man or woman on that wall, behind the camera or in the guard house protecting us, all of us.
What has more impact on our feeling of safety and security and what has more impact on someone with criminal intentions, a sign that says no weapons permitted past this point or a Marine in full uniform with a handgun on his hip?
18 thoughts on “Threat Level Elevated”
The medical care at VA centers is reprehensible. I am not sure why this can’t change, but it hasn’t.
It has been infected with corruption forever and a day.
An experience like that must be jarring. How well are we being protected, and how prepared are we for another attack?
Our military installations are not protected. So frightening.
Holy cow! Guards not paying attention- not asking for ID?! I already knew about the dingy drab understaffed interior- but the point-of-entry!!! And these aren’t MP’s??? I’m just amazed AND dismayed. This seems like the FIRST thing our government should be able to handle properly. Dear God. What a mess.
Shameful for the military. How are we supposed to have faith that these folks are protecting our country?
Such a horrible experience you’ve been having. It is sad that the men and women who put their lives on the line come home to this kind of treatment and who are those homeless? Very sad!
It is horrible.
How scary. Why is it that no place feels safe any more?
Isn’t that the truth.
I usually feel pretty safe at the VA hospital where I go frequently with my husband. But just last week we were talking about how there is no security at the door leading into the cafeteria from the outside patio. But on the whole, everyone is really friendly and helpful.
Some of them are really nice, especially the newer, smaller ones. We spend a lot of time in Florida and love the one in Daytona Beach.
I agree with you that they should be checking I.D. You shouldn’t feel scared or vulnerable in a VA facility. Perhaps a call to your local Congressperson is in order.
We call and tweet our congressional and senate reps often. They are trying. It is a huge facility that has been infected with corruption for many, many years.
Wow! What is the point of having the guards at the guardhouse then…I wonder. There seems to be so many inconsistencies with national security overall.
It makes no sense to me at all.
My late father was a disabled World War II vet (traumatic brain injury). He depended on the VA for same of his health care. When I think about the modern day vets who depend on the VA and what you are describing – the sleepy guards, the dingy, dirty facilities, people inside who look like they are homeless (wouldn’t surprise me at all), troubled vets riding the elevators – and what we as a country do and don’t spend money on- I am no longer outraged, just saddened. The VA failed my father in the end and it is failing our modern day vets.
I am so sorry about your Dad, Alana. It is a corrupt organization for sure.