With Veterans Day just passing, I thought it would be interesting to reflect on how our elected officials have responded to veterans' causes.

Over the last year, I have corresponded with U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy three times on concerns for our vets. Courtney in each case replied with either a canned response or a well-written letter. Blumenthal replied each time with a canned response. I have yet to hear from Murphy.

One letter sent concerned a suicide prevention program, Vets4Warriors, which the Department of Defense was not going to fund. Rep. Courtney replied with a well-researched and written response. I feel he was helpful in having the program get the necessary funding this year. 

Additionally, the October issue of The Military Officers Association of America reports that Courtney and Blumenthal cosponsored at least some of six key veterans’ issues before Congress. Murphy, on the other hand, was a glaring no show. 

The bottom line is Courtney cares about our vets and gets a B. Blumenthal at least gives lip service to our vets and gets a C. Murphy apparently cares nothing for the vets and would throw us off if not under the bus; he gets an F-. 

Philip Spencer, L.t Col. USAF (retired)

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