Lewis Black | 11/11/18 New Haven CT: Thank Your For Your Service (Veterans Day)

Lewis reads a rant from Silas, an Air Force veteran who has experienced the hypocrisy of how civilians, the VA, and the military treat those who have served. His message: saying "thank you for your service" isn't enough.
Submit rants to Lewis: www.lewisblack.com/live​​​​​​​​
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#LewisBlack #VeteransDay #ThankYouForYourService #NewHaven

[@jakefromstatefarm4219]

8 year Marine vet with 2 tours in Vietnam. Thank you to all my fellow vets in all branches, who served before, during, and after me, whether you saw action or not, THANK YOU!

[@russells.soehnerii8308]

I was an 0351 Assaultman from 1979-85. Semper Fi.

[@cjhmarine0621]

0621 field radio operator with a reconnaissance battalion. 2006 to 2012..err rah and Semper Fi!

[@beedee9534]

VA a big insurance company that doesnt pay

[@timh.boston649]

Lou, I’m a disabled vet, I served in the Marines saw combat in the Persian Gulf, and I’d like to thank you for standing up and speaking on our behalf. You’re a good man Lou.

[@LimitlessThinker]

It's a mess! I go to the VA. I know exactly how he feels. I'm proud he articulated what we go thru, so well. I couldn't choke out the words.

[@gjd1942]

Lewis Black can be crass and yet in an odd way is eloquent at the same time. Perhaps it's his honesty that shines through and I like his candid demeanor. It impressed me that he spoke out for this veteran who has had to go through so much after giving his service. When will Veterans be treated with the dignity and accountability that they deserve and have earned.

[@jamesstorey2476]

I am a retired US Marine. To answer your question, "Never".....Veterans will NEVER be treated (by the Federal government) with the dignity and accountability that they deserve and have earned. I guess I am one of the "lucky" ones who retired with more than 20 years service and essentially with no real disabilities.

[@mikey65dean]

When people stop voting for democrats and republicans

[@Tia-Marie]

I served during OEF and missed your USO tours, but I want to thank you Lewis Black for the humanity you’ve given us vets.

[@Master-Ganja]

Trenton oif oef vet here man ty 4 ur service brother

[@robertcowan7610]

Hey Trenton, U.S. Army OIF 1&2 Vet here. Retired young due to combat wounds. Had over 16 years in before having to retire though. Thanks for your service. I have no idea if it would've ever have been possible for me to have seen Lewis Black or anyone else on a USO tour because I was with a Special Operations team in Iraq. But I'm really appreciative of him and any other performers and thankful that a lot of service members did get to see them. All my best. Hooah!

[@naidaspencer627]

As a Disabled Vet. This is not so uncommon. It took me 12 years to get my disability. 12 years of extreme poverty and now that I have it The Va makes me travel three states to just get test for my issues. I cant travel that far. So I fought for them to treat my issues and they make it impossible for me to get the treatment I need.

[@CFTrucker]

I'm sorry.

[@chrisnewton5126]

Hang in there sister.

[@jcoll2727]

I am so sorry, we the public need to provide more support, by communicating with the idiots we voted into office. I personally apologize to you as I have not done my part. I promise to do better.

[@letastorms4930]

Haida,I feel what your saying an uncle of very close friend of mine was in the hospital needed an amputation, he got it,to bad they removed the wrong leg . 9 years ago and he still fighting for settlement t,but has both legs gone,the other from another institution.

[@JamieEckles]

I pray it doesn't take 12 years for me. I finally had my travel board this year and recently had my case remanded back to the regional office, which my attorney says might not be such a bad thing. I feel ya on the travel for testing. I was told I had to go to North Little Rock for a lung capacity test because Memphis (where I've had them before) couldn't do that test. I had to cough up enough for bus and Uber fare and wait 2 weeks to be compensated for the trip.

[@gunner678]

Very true, I am a veteran 23 years Army...nobody has ever thanked me because I usually dont tell anyone! Thankfully I served in the British forces so I am looked after by a universal healthcare system. I feel sorry for my US colleagues!

[@wishinifishin5172]

My father had served two tours in Nam and six more years after. He was well taken care of by the VA. At the age of 70 they, on their own had recognized that they made a mistake. He has two purple hearts from gun wounds on separate occasions. They immediately compensated him for every year since discharge. 1972. They gave him an additional $3300 a month they should have been given him. I call that a attempt to make it right. I lost my hero in February. Every soldier he served with showed up. The ones that were still alive. It was a wonderful thing to hear about my dad from back then. The VA is fucked up, but not as it's made to seem all the time. Thanks for laying it on the line. -Proud son of ARMY 1ST CAV ST. SRGT

[@Dr_Philknows]

Lewis you are a fine human

[@pappinr]

That is a terribly sad story about how the bravest souls in America are being shafted by the most cowardly souls in America. I live in Canada, and I don't think our vets are treated any better. If I was running things, I would happily hand every vet who retires or who has to retire because of medical (and by medical, I also mean emotional because that is as real as losing a limb) a cheque for a million dollars. They deserve it. They earned it. We shouldn't make life difficult for them. We should make life as easy as possible for them because we OWE them! And maybe a million isn't enough. Maybe give them a home if they haven't got one already. Or pay off their mortgage if they have a home. We must in SOME VERY SUBSTANTIAL WAY, put our money where our mouth is when we say "Thanks for your service". Thanks for the insight Mr. Black!

[@danepatterson8107]

Vets are screwing over vets within the disability system. The post 9/11 veterans are having disability showered on them of they even set foot near Iraq or Afghanistan. The system that awards disability needs reform.

[@SneakyShark]

Not much better in the UK imho..

[@maestermercy8512]

@@danepatterson8107 Taking care of U.S. Vets isn't an award for disabilities. Taking care of our Vets is our duty. Taking care of Vets is what they have earned. Taking care of Vets is what they were promised when they signed to put their lives on the line. Only vets screwing over other vets are the ones who wrongly judge their brothers & sisters & refuse to empathize with them

[@danepatterson8107]

@@maestermercy8512 I am a veteran with disability who works in the VA. I know what I see every day.

[@dojinho]

What are you talking about? You start with the premise that anyone who enlists in the military is a hero; this is not the case. There are lots of reasons to become a soldier. Being a hero is not a requirement. But of course, this part of the BS being called here by Silas. If you are serious about wanting to help the victims of this sort, the first thing to do is to militate against war. This would also help the victims at the other end, you know, those who get maimed or killed by falling bombs or liquified by high powered machine guns from a helicopter for going about their business in their own country. Instead of encouraging jobless people to join the military to get their million dollar cheque when they lose a limb, let's encourage them to find another career for adventure, or to stay in school and get a good education. As sad as Silas' story is, can you imagine the sad stories of the innocent victims of US' extreme violence? My heart goes to them, first and foremost! My advice to Silas: advocate against war. Tell people not just your sad story, which is awful enough and a definite eye-opener, but everything you saw in action.

[@joshuasmith7369]

Medically discharged from the army and still waiting on VA benefits for the last 14 1/2 years.

[@richardpetrey2010]

As a Marine vet of 30 years, I thank you for your service and I hope you get what you have EARNED!!!!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Tom_The_Cat]

It's pretty morbidly ironic that the ad before the video was for US Air Force recruiting

[@JoeSmith-xm3wb]

Tom The Cat -Don't believe it, that isn't irony, that's all Done on purpose by these gov/google input analytics specially made & designed to mock you (us) even further...those muthariders!

[@DBMe33]

This is absolute insanity.

[@maggierezac5820]

@Story of O, yes it is! Especially when one considers who is -cough- 'running' the US VA at the moment! Three rich bastards that are members of Mar A Lago who apparently convinced the "Cheeto in Charge" {props for that nugget from the above} that they could do a mighty fine job of running the VA! Apparently, their 'idea' of 'saving money' is to just not pay the Veterans at all! Wow! 😤 Like those who are getting jacked on the GI bill & facing HOMELESSNESS because they haven't gotten paid for over four months. That's happening TODAY! Peace all.

[@GeminieCricket]

That is RED TAPE.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

No; just greed and being dickheads. The veterans problems come up in discussion every so often when one of them comes into our e.r.. The dickhead doctors want us to send them away to the VA hospital 20 miles away. Then I get the wonderful discussion about how 'they knew what they were getting into when they signed up with the military, so they got what they deserved', from all the well off conservative bastards clearing a MINIMUM of $100,000 a year, who have also never served a day in their life helping anyone except themselves. Dickheads. And these fools keep putting republican politicians who don't give a crap about anyone else, right back in office.

[@JamieRobles1]

It's to slow help, funds and other resources because actually giving to a Veteran makes no one any money. Withholding money for as long as possible gets you a bonus.

[@mainely8007]

@@maggierezac5820 As a vet, I thank you for your comments and support. I concur that Trump putting three out of touch rich a_holes in charge of something so critical as health care for vets is appalling. The notion of witholding care, benefits and treatment just to save a buck is the little trust fund rich boy game; they are notorious for stiffing people, not just here but everywhere I've been on this planet.

[@ericr4764]

I wanted to cry after hearing this.

[@blackfirefox666]

Thank you Silas, for your service and your story, and for Mr. Black for bringing it to light. Something has to be done about this, and soon, it's disgusting how our vets are treated!

[@509Gman]

Recruiting command: “we can’t figure out why our goal numbers aren’t being met.”

[@Calvan42]

I once spoke to someone in recruitment and they told me that I can join, just don't tell them anything if you have an injury or mental illness. I told them that I should not likely be a part of the military. I already have PTSD. They said they will still except me as long as I don't tell them about these things. It felt like they didn't care if I couldn't handle it, if I could be a danger to myself and others, or risk being a security risk. They didn't want Me to join, they just wanted a warm body. I felt like they would have taken anyone. Even people we really shouldn't have in our military. "Just don't tell them and you'll be fine~" it put a bad feeling in my gut, so I didn't join. Really sounds like I dodged both a figurative and literal bullet there, especially after hearing that. I've had older vets tell me they're taken good care of, but there are so many younger vets that have told me stories that make me want to cry. The messed up stuff that has happened to people in the field, and even before they have a chance to get out of basic. The military is a really fucked up situation on all fronts, during and after. Our bravest are glorified and made out to be shining examples of human being. Yet we don't even treat them like human beings. I feel for every man, woman, and otherwise who has marched into danger their orders and their guns to only find themselves lost in a broken system that could really care less till veterans day comes. We all need to pitch in to help those who need it most, I may not have joined the military, but maybe my job isn't to be a soldier, but to help them and theirs after they come back. That is everyone's job, especially our governments.

[@thomasmcginnis3783]

Lewis Black is awesome for giving this some traction. Every time someone speaks out, there's a chance to do something. SPEAK OUT.

[@leroystea8069]

That is incredibly heartbreaking to hear. I had no idea this was going on. Thank you for sharing. I'll see what I can do to help.

[@reggiehigh22]

I'm a military brat from my father who served 27 years. He will not tell me what he has done but he made sure to tell me always read the fine print because there are things you can't charge and things that can make work for you. He will say so himself that he is one of the lucky ones to have the disability of over 200% pay off.(both knees one done twice, both shoulders, one hip plus half the thigh bone, one foot, one hand, and a metal plate in his head. He has all the limbs but that's all metal in him for those parts to hold together and/or replace the bones) He will also tell me that because i'm a single male the government views me good for only two things, fighting in a war and paying taxes.

[@paulmakinson1965]

A society is judged by how it treats it's most vulnerable members.

[@gusmonster59]

I would by who it chooses as it most valuable members as well. Celebrities are not valuable members, yet they are often revered as gods.

[@truecrony]

Thank you. I've heard how often there are so many resources for Armed Service Veterans. I didn't realize how broken the system is. Most people probably don't realize honestly.

[@nolanmeeks973]

Thanks Lewis as a retired veteran of 21 years I understand your situation and empathize and I appreciate you bringing this

[@honeys.9579]

LB is an amazing performer and his career is legendary. My family and I have been huge fans for many years.

[@mysnellvilleblog]

Imposter On Hold And he didn’t have to read that letter but he did. He rocks.

[@joelisSHI]

I am a vet. Every word is true. He is lucky. I won't ever get back pay. I've been handicapped with cancer and a heart problem 7 years and can't get disability pay. I have a sticker from the doc for my car, but everyone has just said no every time I applied. I, like many, have given up on begging. It's what they hope for. , (

[@arx754]

joel: Have you talked to an attorney? Neighbors of mine (husband has a degenerative spinal disorder) applied and were turned down, but got an attorney, and it took about a year, I think, but he (husband) finally got SS Disability. There are attorneys who specialize in this. You might think you can't afford it, but i THINK the attorney got paid AFTER they start getting the benefits.

[@meganconnell-cox6425]

JOel, please reach out to me, I may be able to help you. SERIOUSLY, I have notifications set for this, I will get the message if you reply. Please, I hope to hear from you. I also posted a comment way up at the top. Please, REACH OUT.....

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day Lewis, Oh, my... I was on the verge of tears after your read of that poor bloke's message. Probably would have wept too except I was so damned angry at this Veteran's horrendous treatment. There's a few people who complain about the ADF (Australian Defence Force) and Australian Dept. of Veterans' Affairs but that is nothing to the mammoth cluster f**k that is the US VA and ex-service persons' plight. It truly breaks my heart that most 'developed' nations are so actively keen to put young people into uniform and appeal to their highest feelings of patriotism, service, duty and honesty. Then, the moment they take their uniform off for the last time; the screwing begins. The nation who had these young men and women who were openly willing to lay down their lives for their country are now treated worse than the corpses that arrive back home in a flag draped casket! The ex-service person's suicide rate, even here with our tiny population, is catastrophically high, in the US it is truly appalling. ONE suicide because a veteran is being screwed over is ONE TOO MANY! To have multiple thousands of suicides every year is an unsurpassable disgrace. People who gladly die for their mates in combat show the greatest form of love and dedication that is possible to show. I donate to Veterans' charities as much as I could but as I'm on a Permanent Disability Pension after serving in the Air Force, I don't have a lot of money myself. If I had a son or a daughter who wanted to join up I'd have them kidnapped if I couldn't persuade them not to strap on a uniform, like their stupid young dad did. Don't get me wrong, I was proud to serve and, compared to the Veteran you spoke of, I had a 'dream' ride through the red tape. I urge everyone reading this to do as you suggested and donate to a Veterans' charity AND to send letters of complaint to their local and national politicians. To me every day is Veterans' Day, every day is ANZAC Day (our national day of commemoration). It doesn't matter if you are a hawk or a pacifist; these people desperately need our help. Thank you, Lewis. I love your comedy and I salute your dedication to this much forgotten crisis. Yours sincerely, Bill Halliwell.

[@anitaclarke7085]

Thanks Lewis and all who Serve !!!

[@johnpunchard8161]

That one person who didn't like this video or went thumbs down must not have a soul. The VA retirement situation in this country is so screwed up. Every veteran who served honorably should get the benefits that they earned and deserved for fighting for the rights most of us take for granted.

[@RavenSkyeSL]

You dont know if they downvoted because they hated what the soldier had to go through, different reasons could be for the thumbs down

[@Patricia-zt8ub]

Everyone is getting screwed by this president. Him and his Republican cronies need to be thrown out of office now. We need to fix this mess. How can a president who is supposed to care about the entire country give tax breaks to the rich and corporate rich and screw everyone else over? He is a traitor along with the phony Republican Party. the Repubs hitched their fate to Trumps, we need to be sure they go down with trump in 2020. His delusional followers need to be brought out into the light.

[@DanielSutfin]

Bless you Louis for reading that I don't go out on Veterans Day. Because when I came back from Vietnam we didn't get thanks we got spit.

[@rene8877]

I like the fact this was shared, but we really need to treat our veterans better.

[@kucam12mischablue]

you'd expect that someone that served and protected to be served and protected in return. especially under this new administration and its big promises. disgusting demagogues.

[@thesoundsmith]

You'd expect that a BUNCH of vets would just get organized, gear up and blow the entire top brass of the VA all over their boardroom walls.

[@hks2377]

David Kempton I’d absolutely love it if they’d do mass protests in every city, like the recent women’s marches. Frustratingly, most military members & many veterans vote Republican & watch FOX, so they are told, Day in & day out, that only entitled, jobless libs hold protests! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

[@rahn45]

At least two decades and four presidents, and all the military money gets put into bombs. Course when you cycle the administration out every 4-8 years, it's not surprise that the deep state who get to hold their seats of power for decades on end end up being the one who's actually in control of the country.

[@MarkLawsonY3K]

@@thesoundsmith you mean we could VOTE ???

[@xaenon]

@@MarkLawsonY3K What's the point any more? Democrat or Republican, it's all poison and it will kill you. All voting does now is to let you decide whether it's cherry or grape flavored.

[@Shane-The-Pain]

Thanks for giving a voice to the regular people.

[@markjohnson5276]

Well they got to fund those tax breaks somehow. Can't have the super rich and corporations those veterans fought for suffering or whats the point.

[@thesoundsmith]

It is NOT enough that they WIN. YOU must LOSE. Win/Win is a GOP Loss.

[@jenniferloftus2363]

Exactly. Corporations are people with rights. You can't expect a corporation to suffer.

[@michaelpondo6324]

Thanks for this comrdy skit that shows how our government treats its veterans. I just wonder how many vets voted repubs.

[@1977Yakko]

Out of control spending is causing the debt and deficits. To assume tax cuts cause the debt/deficit is to assume that money belonged to the govt in the first place. I'm not saying the corporations needed the help or to operate virtually tax free. Even with the tax cuts, tax revenues are up but the spending is still outpacing the revenue gathered. Tons of waste, fraud and abuse to go around as well. It'll sink this country fiscally sooner or latter. Probably sooner.

[@web-angel]

@@thesoundsmith it's not just the GOP though. Both parties are guilty of doing the same thing.

[@dojinho]

Kudos to Mr. Black for caring!

[@hotdrippyglass]

Thank You Sir for publishing this. It is screaming into the wind but it still needs to be said.

[@georgejohnson1124]

Ya, I rode that Merry-Go-Round for years before obtaining the benefits I was entitled to. It's just like Silas said, a real goat-rope..............

[@thegauvinator3075]

i have 2 medical implants from serving in the US ARMY overseas was in a real bad accident which i had no control over. Of course i was denied benefits i have a brother in arms who was denied healthcare after 28 yrs of service sadly he passed away as has most of my squad saltpeter we used to jokingly say not so sure now no one respects veterans and please dont thank me for serving i concur with myr bretehren BTW I'm canadian and moved here when i was 7 what have you done for this country ? love you lewis keep up the good work and tell katherine the same

[@missiesmith949]

OMG! That brought tears to my eyes. :( How can we do that to our veterans. We condone this by not taking any actions towards our elected officials.

[@KanWoo76]

I was here! This was my first live Lewis Black experience. . .unforgettably hilarious!!

[@klams8851]

That breaks my heart. Nothing gets changed but Spanky gets his golf game regularly on the taxpayer dime.

[@danepatterson8107]

I'm a vet born on veteran's day. Never ask a vet if he saw combat. All service is equally noble. And Mr. Black, there is a great deal of abuse of VA disability by veterans. I work for the VA now. The people who do the bare minimum are veterans riding the system that can't fire them. The people at the top are veterans who received a disability rating that enables immediate, unqualified promotion. It's terrible. The vets who need and deserve help can't get it and the vets who get the most money for disability clearly don't deserve it. Go look at the difference the modern vet's standard of living to the Vietnam vet.... You've got vets who haven't missed a day of work in their life collecting 70%+ disability, plus retirement

[@StevenRud]

Thank you very much for addressing this... even though I don’t live in the US, it breaks ones heart to listen to this...

[@germaniagarmania6138]

Thats the respect we all need: to give room to the story. All else follows naturally.

[@anthonymontgomery6529]

I appreciate him addressing this. The bureaucracy is overwhelming for most of us. My anxiety has kept me from completing the process since 1998. I am an employee at the VA hospital and still can't deal with the hoops it takes to go through the process.

[@meganconnell-cox6425]

PLEASE, REACH OUT TO ME. NOTIFICATIONS SET SO i WILL RECIEVE IT i MAY BE ABLE TOHELP YOU. iT TOOK ME 15 YEARS, THEN ANOTHER 6 MONTHS-1 YEAR, AND EVEN STILL, i JUST HAD ANOTHER CMP ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO FOR INCREASE IN MY DISABILITY BUT, IT IS WORTH IT!

[@markdiorio468]

Thank you for reading that, Mr. Black. It means a lot to disabled vets, like myself. 💜

[@vincewallett]

This needs to go viral!

[@HopskotchBunny]

Thank you for sharing this with us. This is devastating to learn. I am so sorry to hear this but feel motivated to write and call my Congress people and try to help. No member of the military should have to endure this horrible treatment.

[@denniswilson9227]

Mr. Black much of what you read is true and I wouldn't dare disagree with you. My story is very different, but with the same result. I love America, born in Alabama, raised in Detroit. I gave up fighting the system in 1994 and returned to the last place I thought would treat me fairly, GERMANY. I would love to tell you about it when you have the time.

[@paull.4143]

Dennis, Go to Lewis' facebook or twitter page and make this comment. That is where his staff is sure to see it, not on You Tube.

[@_dave4460]

i am the proud holder of the infamous article 99 from usaf though i was taken directly from a hangar to diespensary. see the movie of same name; it’s crazy inside the va. the last time i went i sat 10 hours. checked in at 06:45 hrs but by 19:00 hrs not a soul had been called. as the civilain staff closed up i asked and got a smart-assed, you’ll just have to try again tomorrow won’t you?! i returned the next day, though my letter of appt had the prior day’s date. i sat another 10 hours with same result - not the first man or woman was called from the desk where the civilain “staff” ate donuts and had pizza delivered. i never returned and have no plans to do so...

[@nonoozabletodogmaisaiah4577]

When I was in school, I was told America was special. Still waiting to see the evidence.

[@pirbird14]

I don't care what you did in the war (which is one I probably disagree with); but, you performed a service as per the contract. You are therefore entitled to remuneration as per the contract. You ought to be entitled to all the rights of a citizen of the US - civil rights, human rights, labour rights etc. You did your job; you are entitled to remuneration.

[@pirbird14]

@@TJ-USMC You know nothing about me.

[@pirbird14]

@@TJ-USMC In yer dreams, pal.

[@pirbird14]

@@TJ-USMC Why, thank you. There's hope for you yet.

[@pirbird14]

@@TJ-USMC Just remember to take the same advice yourself.

[@pirbird14]

@@TJ-USMC I did.

[@Mimi-cq4bg]

This rant makes me want to weep.

[@rutabagasteu]

And relatives wonder why I won't go near the VA.

[@dallasrensel837]

Mr. Black is some REAL HUMAN BEING . After coming really close to not making it back from Vietnam because of a severe case of Malaria ( The doctors at Quang Tri Marine base said they didn't know if I would still be WITH them the next morning ) I was choppered out to the hospital ship. I was told on the ship ,after some time by a Major ,that I would qualify for a military comp pension because of the malaria and dysentery I had gone through . He told me that it would be a federal offense for me to give blood and that the effects would be with me all my life. Before being discharged from the Army I had some kind of breakdown and I was kept 41 days beyond my due date " FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT " After coming home to my small town I ended up having to go to the hospital mental ward about a half dozen times over several years with what the Psychiatrist started out saying it was paranoid schizophrenia ,then depression, etc., etc., and finally ended up with good old bipolar My VA experience left me with not wanting to have any future contact with them. For the Malaria I was to travel a couple hours to the VA in Pittsburgh with a jar of my feces. After spending the entire day there my wife and I were told from their info that since I was able to hold down a part time job that there was no reason that I would have any military compensation. At that point I just wanted to get away from anything to do these people. I was based at Dong Ha in 1969. The worst place and year for Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. For awhile family and friends tried to talk me into trying to investigate this issue further . Kind of hard to explain to anybody what a bunch of bull I thought the VA. was and why I didn't want anything to do with them. Even my brother who was a Vietnam Vet and is in the VA. system can't understand my resistance to go get their help. I guess I just lost all faith in the system. When I hear people not being able to understand why those homeless veterans can't lift themselves up and do something with their lives or why all the crazy suicides .......... well you can't expect people to understand something they haven't lived through I guess. God bless brothers and you too Lewis Black.

[@daveluttinen2547]

This not only breaks my heart but also this is an outrage. How the United States treats its disabled veterans is a humanitarian crisis and needs to be addressed. Wow. Thank you, Lewis, for reading and posting this rant.

[@mysnellvilleblog]

Thank you for this!

[@jefmatttab]

Thank you Lewis, that needs to be screamed to the entire nation who is enjoying the freedoms brought forth by the people who serve

[@philrabe910]

Thanks, Lewis! I'm going to post this to my FB page!

[@papascabs2767]

Thank you Mr. Black... I have a similar story as well. I wish people would stop telling me, thank you, also. It does make me feel better hearing you bring it up... we put up with so much at the VA that you start to feel crazy...like, I can't be the only one seeing this shit, right? Good to know someone cares!

[@m.f.richardson1602]

Thank you.

[@djh3_88hinskey5]

Thanks for sharing this. Most folks have no idea how this VA and retirement work. I filed 2 appeals on mine and after the second I was told basically stop bothering them or they will reduce my current status.

[@tomcartwright7134]

Lewis, thank you!

[@ThomasLeonard454]

God Bless you Lewis Black for this piece. As a Vietnam veteran I Thank You. ❤ I have not been compensated for my hearing loss yet and that is now over 50 years ago. The last time I tried to get help they told me that there had been a fire in the Navy records and mine were lost, so it's kinda Fuck you veteran.

[@jacquesdelafetedelahathcoa3681]

That is correct. I have permanent PTSD. I can't be cured. I'm bi. It used to be manic depression. But since I have been to both the North and South poles looking for Santa Claus for Jesus... I'm bi polar.

[@operationopenup]

Powerful message about veterans from a veteran . I'm actually familiar with the system and how they handle disabilities and compensation. I know a person quite well who had an arm missing on one side and an alternate missing on the other and the system told him he had to prove he was disabled... AFTER a doctor examined him. Apparently they missed the fact that he had an arm and a thumb missing.

[@resurectiondelpantion9268]

I feel like we can all still be proud of being an American. ONLY IF!!!!! This country drastically changes the way it is. If we live in a country that is still willing to say we are clearly wrong let's change what we did. Then that means that yes we do live in the best country in the world......... As of now I say the most stereotypical thing that you probably heard millions of times over. I am not proud of being an American. anyone at Washington should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!!!!!!

[@thesoundsmith]

America has been killed. Not just trump, it began with Reagan. When the GOP stopped acting in good faith, the path was set. Trump just broke the stagnation and showed us the true face of Republicans. There may be a lot of GOP that don't like or agree with Trump, but as long as they continue to VOTE with him, so fucking what? THIS IS WAR, PEOPLE! The GOP refuses to fix the environment and WE ARE OUT OF TIME. Bottom line - in the next 150 years, most air-breathing species will become extinct. Including every Republican that can't afford a 100-year supply of manufactured oxygen. And THERE'S yer NEXT Mad Max-style sequel. Where if you don't have a good mask and a supply of oxygen attached, you will die within, say, an hour. And everyone works for, fights for and dies for the oxygen bottles, so OxyContain Inc. the one manufacturer, is God...

[@resurectiondelpantion9268]

@@thesoundsmith you're thinking too deep into the future and that's only if things don't change. More realistically you need to think of baby steps. one thing at a time little by little the little voice can change something. 100 pennies makes a dollar. And that's how you speak their language because they only speak in dollars. Wilma Mankiller was a woman who proves exactly what I'm saying. A native American who not only proved she could be a politician that wasn't corrupt and made a difference for the better of minorities. But also changed other politicians minds. Helping social security, getting cops to wear 100% bulletproof vests and having minimum wage be risen by $2. The only thing is no one capitalized on her progressions. My point is we can do this for veterans. the public is being known to the mistreatment of veterans to this very day!! If you can help you should......... At least that's the way I was raised

[@bobe7559]

Thank you for that, Lewis. 😢

[@scotelliott8577]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!

[@ohmyblindman]

I hope all the young people out there are listening to this. Forget serving, just not worth it.

[@francosworld5030]

Powerful Reading,,Wow,,All True in my experience. Keep in Mind Sergent that when some people say "Thank You" they mean it from their heart and it is not Empty. Vet's Thanks Vet's Also! Thank you for you're Service. MAJ. Franco

[@mefi9788]

Thank you for this.

[@BravoFox2124]

God bless

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

Thank you Lewis black, I would gladly have you as president.

[@reggiehigh22]

If only the nation was so lucky to have someone who wouldn't hide the faults of our country but someone who would bring the faults to the surface for us all to see so then we as the people can help change us for the better, but to play their games you need to bow down some and I don't see that happening with mr. Black. Also the other politicians or the 1% would have him killed off to make sure the status quo of them get rich off the nation's decline stays the course.

[@Boomer-cf2br]

When I had a problem with the VA I contacted my Congressman and he brought the roof down on the place, I got a new competent Doctor, I get any appointment I want within 2-4 weeks and treated like royalty at the Battle Creek Mi VA. I can't say enough about the good changes at this facility.

[@Winterborn5]

I'm a disabled vet as well. And all of this is exactly what happens to many of us. Its insane.

[@jodihedge8566]

That rant was Brilliant!!!!

[@terrycollins7706]

Thanks man ✌️

[@ivomonroemiller]

I love ❤️ this

[@waltyc.8577]

Lewis always makes me laugh. Today he made me cry.

[@babak1969van]

This is the same story in every country. Veterans in my country went through an 8 years war came back with ptsd and got nothing from no one. Saddest stoyever

[@PkSage89]

Thanks Lewis.

[@1notgilty]

Amen to that Brother. I silently cringe every time someone says "Thank You For Your Service" to me. I nearly died in a VA hospital from service-related health problems. Fortunately I walked out of that chamber of horrors but many of those with me didn't. In the months that I was a patient after the end of the Vietnam War not one elected official ever came to the VA hospital to visit any of the sick and injured vets. Not one, ever! The high point of every week was the once-a-week BINGO game run by the American Legion and the VFW. I know it sounds funny but the patients really looked forward to those weekly BINGO games because it was the only thing they had to look forward to. I think about that stuff every time someone tells me "Thank You For Your Service" and "Have A Nice Day". Many kudos to Lewis Black for posting this video for vets.

[@bernardbarnett8440]

Thank you Mr. Black.

[@ericmelton4630]

I'm subscribed your my hero.

[@Roadiedave]

Shit! I remember now. I was in Qatar when you came through. I think with like Ms. Universe and Kid Rock. I was stuck in a folding chair out in the desert waiting for nothing to happen so I could shoot it. You and Kid said some stuff to us over the radio. Thanks for coming out. Even though I missed you personally, i appreciate it.

[@patfraizer4469]

Than You

[@russmartin9549]

I was having breakfast at denny's the other morning. Saw a couple of soldiers sitting in front of me in a booth, talking about the hell the just returned from in th middle east. Couldn't help but pay their bill and thank them for their service

[@hoboken5224]

Lewis, I'm still reeling from the fact that they spit on the Honorable Senator Richard Blumenthal. This country will never cease to amaze me.

[@kitcoffey7194]

POWERFUL.

[@michaelgill2105]

This is Why our Vets deserve Better and should earn their Right to have the Respect and Admiration they Deserve and the The Free Discounts on Anything they want cause they've earned it with their Hard earned Sacrifices and Honor and Duty

[@irenemesecke3076]

What a sad reflection of how the stars and the stripes is an oxymoron!!!!!!!

[@jacquesdelafetedelahathcoa3681]

Hillary Clinton robbed the Marine Corps.

[@jacquesdelafetedelahathcoa3681]

Looted stole raped and robbed.

[@jacquesdelafetedelahathcoa3681]

Do the Hills Have Eyes?

[@jacquesdelafetedelahathcoa3681]

But. She will be immortalized in a mortuary. So. Keep looking up.

[@nigeljames6017]

Jack Seriously, go and see a psychiatrist really soon. You’ll either do harm to yourself or others.

[@0755575]

This happened over 20 years ago when I was a Naval officer. One of my petty officer's husband was medically retired from the Navy. They closed their joint checking account and open separate accounts because the VA did not like that she as an active duty person had access to VA money via the joint account.

[@cash2nrg]

Good one Lewis...hard to beat excellence

[@charlesmeade9111]

ty

[@djg2263]

This is so sad😫! It's just awful how vets r treated! 🤬😡

[@1xsol]

Sad. But oh so True.

[@lillygardens1]

Omg!!! We have a problem!! Shame on you V.A.!!!! God bless you Cylus!! ❤️

[@shannonhunt7966]

My dad is a Navy vet. He had a massive heart attack which left half his heart died. When his doctor said he was unable to work, he applied for social security benefits, the government denied his claim because they believe that he could still work. This was 15 years ago. When he finally reached the age to receive his benefits, the government jerked him along for another six months or so before he got his first check. If it wasn't for the V.A. doing their best to keep him around. He would not still be around today.

[@huckleberry5653]

Amen! ( USMC disabled veteran)

[@killersheep1588]

Keep on telling it like it is!!

[@mathijsbeaujean8378]

Flippin'hell, that made me cry. And I'm not even American.

[@jupitercyclops6521]

Makes me mad as Hell. Our fat cat war pig politicians wage these wars for $. Then they sit back getting rich while many of our vets end up homeless. Then they pass laws against feeding homeless and making it against the law to be homeless in the first place. Its sickening. Their greed knows no bounds.

[@eddieohearn17]

I should add that within the VA each region is run differently. I went from one that was close to efficient to one that screws the pooch every visit. The doctors in the new region I am in see bored with any problems I might have. The old region, shit I had 5 doctors that were eager to assist rather than one who rarely stood up from her computer.

[@johnnyb3245]

heartbreaking

[@alphabeta591]

I am in an eerily similar situation.