Why did Joseph Dwyer, an American hero, die?

IVERSON:

Joseph Dwyer appeared on front pages and magazine covers around the world. He was carrying a half-naked Iraqi boy. A kaffiyeh scarf was tied around the boy’s shrapnel. And there was Dwyer. Dressed in full battle gear with his M-16 rifle dangling by his side. So why did an American hero die soiled in his own bodily waste?

Numerous times after his return, Dwyer had called officers to respond to an emergency “barricade situation”. But each time, they would come to find Joseph coming out to tell them that everything was okay. June 28th, however, was different. This time Joseph didn’t come to the door. He told them he was too weak and that they had permission to kick the door in. What they found this time was disturbing.

They found Dwyer lying on his back, his clothes saturated with urine and feces. Scattered on the floor around him were dozens of spent cans of Dust-Off, a refrigerant-based aerosol normally used to clean electrical equipment.

For years, people have been complaining about the treatment U.S. Soldiers get after they return from war. My question is: how do you convince people to protect their country when you can’t even guarantee that you’ll take care of them when they return with illnesses that they only have because they decided to servce their country?

I’m totally opposed to the war. But I still respect those who, for whatever reason, decide to put their life on the line for what they think is right. I guess that’s why this bothers me so much. 23% of the homeless population are veterans. 33% of the male homeless population are veterans. 67% served three or more years. And the worst stat of all (to me) is that 89% received Honorable Discharge. That’s crazy! What incentive do I have to fight a fight for people when there’s a good change that I’ll end up begging for change while the man that put me there is chillin’ on “the ranch”?

Somebody needs to do better. READ IT ALL