Hurry Up And Wait! – Opinions From E. Curtis Johnson

We’re in-between Memorial Day and D-Day. On Memorial Day we remember those who gave their lives for our country. Seventy years ago, on June 6^th, 1944, the largest coordinated attack in world history hit the beaches of Normandy, France.

In this season of remembrance, here’s the good news. After five years as a prisoner of the Taliban, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, was released by his captors on Saturday. Here’s the bad news. Someday, he may need medical help from the Veterans Administration. In addition to other allegations, the VA stands complicit in the deaths of 40 veterans who died while awaiting medical attention.

My name is E. Curtis Johnson. Considering the multiple factions of the Taliban, and complicated tribalism, I can understand why it took 5-years to negotiate Bergdahl’s release. I’m familiar with the meaning of the military axiom, “Hurry up and wait.” I didn’t realize that phrase had lethal connotations. How terribly ironic: a branch of the government that’s supposed to heal wounded soldiers was the instrument of their deaths.