Posted on Jun 9, 2015
MAJ Senior Observer   Controller/Trainer
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For the past 14 years, the American public has largely sought to thank our troops and show their support through measures both great and small. From "Support Our Troops" bumper stickers to airlines allowing Military personnel to board flights ahead of all other passengers. With the Wars now winding down, Navy Veteran and Team Rubicon employee Ken Harbaugh explores a much deeper looming dilemma as he sees it: The Risk of Over-Thanking Our Veterans. He goes well beyond the simple courtesies of the 10% discounts and the pats on the back from a grateful nation - he points to the exploding costs of caring for the Veterans who have been at war these past 14 years, the soaring VA budget, a Comp & Pen system that is often gamed by Vets for a payout, and the potential fallout and resentment this may ultimately engender with the broader taxpaying public who may ultimately ask if they are paying too much?

What do you say, RP Nation? Does Mr. Harbaugh raise some valid points? Or is he merely a Veteran who is better off than most who is on a soap box and pointing fingers? What say you?
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Responses: 34
TSgt Joe C.
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We can never thank our veterans enough IMHO MAJ (Join to see).
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LTC Self Employed
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My wife showed me it's supposed to statement from Bernie Sanders saying that we spent six trillion dollars to involve our veterans and all these wars but we can't spend a few billion dollars to take care of veterans. I think Bernie Sanders has a point even though I don't agree with him on many things. We have over 20 suicides a month from veterans dealing with being homeless having substance abuse problems or not having adequate service done by the VA or ability to get access to services to help them due to budget constraints or whatever. I don't think we have thanked veterans enough because they're still living the war in their head from the past trauma of combat or loss. Let's fix the VA let's fix the veterans and mitigate the suicides!
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SFC Caretaker
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I think if we stop honoring our veterans we should eliminate the armed services in every branch and "special" branches as well. No military, no FBI, no CIA, no HS, no law enforcement, nothing!!! Let everyone fend for themselves and see how it all goes!!

Why would a subject like this even be brought up! Ridiculous!!!
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Thank you Maj. for the great picture and article share.
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