As Many of you know, I took a trip up to Ft. Campbell this weekend. As of January 1st of this year, veterans with a service connected disability rating of 0% or higher can access on Post/Base facilities such as PX/BX and Commissary.
I went to the PX first. I walked around for a bit to look around. It has been almost 20 years since I have been in a PX. After that, I went and got some food at the food court.
I wanted to scope out the Commissary to see how the prices compare. Ft. Campbell is 93 miles from my house. Seems like a long distance, but in reality, Holly and I travel 88 miles once a month to buy our groceries at Meijer in Bowling Green, Ky.
I was very surprised on the prices. Here is a photo of my receipt. I was texting Holly the whole time of the different prices.
While I was eating, I had a feeling that came over me. It was a sort of comfort. That feeling continued at the commissary. It wasn't until the drive home that I realized what it was.
Knowing that once inside the gates, everyone in there would lay down there lives for me, and I would do the same for them.
Some of you reading this I served with. You will remember that feeling. It is under the surface, but we all knew it and felt safe. Hell, we still know, to this day, we would have each others' backs if we were asked.
I remember never locking my truck on Post, and never worrying about it when I was active. Yes, it could have been broken into, but the probability was really low.
On my way home, I kept thinking about it. I know I have written before how impressed I was with the level of care I received at the VA. Last year, at my annual physical, I got a prescription for my Omeprazole. I sent that to my local CVS. I thought to myself, nope, I want to change that to get it through the VA.
The other feeling that I realized is that I have another avenue to make sure we have food. Yes, I can go anywhere, but knowing that this is an option is very comforting.
Enlisting in the Army was one of the best decisions I ever did. It has given my opportunities that would not have been there for me. I enlisted at a time where all my classmates thought I was crazy. They were headed off to college.
My final thought to this blog. If you are veteran reading this and you haven't been rated by the VA, stop reading right now. Go online or call the VA and get yourself in there.
It isn't like it used to be. I totally get the mental part of saying, no that is for others who are worse off than me. Realize this, you earned the title of veteran. Not one of us left the military the same way we went in. I am going to use them as my Primary Care Doctor.
I guess I lied....parting thoughts
I would love to hear what your thoughts about going on Post/Base.
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