Why do veterans still not get the care they clearly need?

To the editor:

I read about the tragic events in the April 5 Review-Journal article "Tortured soul," written by Keith Rogers, and felt anger. Senior Airman Jason Klinkenberg, who killed his wife and himself Feb. 20, was failed not only by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but by the Air Force and the Department of Defense and, marginally, by the lack of veteran unity in the Las Vegas Valley.

As a voluntary veterans advocate, I have been unable to penetrate the bureaucracy in local offices. For about seven years, I have attended meetings of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition and have been successful in advocating for the acceleration of the construction of the new veterans hospital in North Las Vegas, but more importantly, domiciliary (veterans' homes) where inpatient therapy programs would be established to treat traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism and legal and illegal drug addiction.

Our troops' problems must be identified primarily on the battlefield, but certainly in Senior Airman Klinkenberg's case, when he was denied discharge and attempted suicide the first time.

All troops should have their discharge extended and an extensive study conducted to identify traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. (The military's concern in an exit interview is mainly directed toward reducing future disability claims.) While in uniform and under military discipline, they should receive the best and most extensive treatment and outpatient treatment available -- not just a pill.

Finally, upon discharge, they must be handed off to a person in the Department of Veterans Affairs, not given an 800 number or be expected to rationally request the best treatment. We must recognize we have a societal bias against mental illness, not only in the military, but in civilian life. Note the incidents of mental illness in our civilian homeless population, which includes a substantial number of veterans.

In the April 5 story, combat veteran and veterans advocate Jonathan Abbinett issued a warning: "There's a nightmare that's about to unfold in the next 10, 20, 30 and 40 years, and it's going to make the Vietnam veterans' generation pale in comparison."

That statement must be followed by this question: With the tragic experiences of our Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, some still unresolved today, why have our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans not received the essential services and facilities for healing?

FRANK PERNA

LAS VEGAS