We Remember

BORN ON THE 4^TH OF JULY

Blog Post 6 of 11

If you have seen Tom Cruise in the graphic 1989 movie, Born on the Fourth of July, you may be surprised to find out that it was the true story of Vietnam Veteran, Ron Kovic.  

Instilled with patriotic values from his family’s rich military service, Ron joined the Marines in 1964 and was immediately shipped off to Vietnam. He was shot in the spine during combat in 1968 and became paralyzed from the waist down, receiving the Purple Heart for his service and courage.

Unlike his fellow compatriots of prior wars, he did not receive a hero’s welcome upon his return, but instead endured the disdain of Americans who were enraged about the Vietnam War.  Following his med-evac (air lift evacuation) to the states, Kovic languished in VA hospitals whose conditions were deplorable at the time.  He would be in out of these failing institutions for years.  

During the 1972 at Republic National Convention Kovic, gained national attention as he interrupted then President Nixon’s acceptance speech and stated:

“I’m a Vietnam Veteran.  I gave America my all, and the leaders of this government threw me and others away to rot in their VA hospitals.  What’s happening in Vietnam is a crime against humanity.”

For the most part, today's Veteran’s Hospitals are still neglected but offer better services than Kovic's time.  The VA medical centers have become teaching hospitals with many having the latest in technology and instrumentation.  I know this to be true from being a patient at several facilities in Japan, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Massachusetts.  Their buildings may be in disarray, but the mantra of these institutions is to serve those who serve us. 

The VA Boston Healthcare System has received 5 Centers of Excellence Awards for its Cardiac Surgery unit, PTSD clinic, Women’s Health Center, and its treatment centers for the acute patients of mental illness and substance abuse.  It has been named the Top Places to Work for the 6^th year in a row of the 8^th annual, employee-based survey project of the Boston Globe. 

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