To The Reader’s Forum:

My name is Joe Siparek, and like a previous writer to this column, I am also a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, Vietnam, 1967-1968, having served, proudly, as a cannoneer in a 105 Howitzer battery, 2/13th, 23rd Artillery Group.

Although I have been a longstanding proponent of equal medical benefits for all veterans, regardless of their history or financial status, I would like to share an event that happened with me.

A number of years ago, I was approached by a member from a ‘Vietnam Veterans of America’ group and I immediately joined and bought a life membership, and later attended my first and last meeting.

As I found out, some of the card-carrying members never set foot in, flew over or served in the coastal waters of Vietnam.

When I asked how they became members, I was told membership was open to any veteran who served during that time period. I stood up and stated, I thought I was joining a membership who had met the same requirements I did to call myself a Vietnam vet — at least be there.

I walked out and notified the VVA central office I was withdrawing my membership, and why.

A veteran is a veteran is a veteran, and I will never minimize what all other veterans did or where they did or did not serve, but there are unmistakable differences.

You shouldn’t be able to buy what those of us earned.

Joe Siparek

Busti