BARACK OBAMA PROMISES TO CARE FOR VETERANS
BARACK OBAMA (b. 1961) The 44th and current President of the United States, and the first African American to hold the office. Rare and ironic A.L.S. "Barack Obama" as President on a 6 1/2" x 4 1/8" pale green White House correspondence card, Washington [n.d. but envelope canceled July 6, 2009], to the mother of a wounded and disabled American veteran of the war in Iraq. The soldier's mother, Cherry McKimmey of Torrington, Wyoming, had previously contacted Obama expressing the issues she was having obtaining care for her son through the Veterans Administration. Putting off an email response, McKimmey demanded a written reply and the President obliged. In full: "Cherry - Thank your for your note. We are grateful for your son's service, and Michelle and I intend to do everything we can over the next four years to support your family and other military families. God Bless, Barack Obama". Fine condition, with blank White House envelope which was enclosed within a White House mailing envelope. The 2014 Vetarns Administration scandal damaged Obama's reputation, and to many veterans, president Obama failed miserably in his promise. An internal VA audit released June 9, 2014 found that more than 120,000 veterans were left waiting or never got care and that schedulers were pressured to use unofficial lists or engage in inappropriate practices to make waiting times appear more favorable. Indeed, many deaths were traceable to delays at VA hospitals. On June 11, 2014, the FBI opened a criminal investigation of the VA. On June 27, 2014, Obama's Deputy Chief of Staff, Rob Nabors, reported "significant and chronic system failures" and a "corrosive culture" inside the Veterans Health Administration. Today, one year later, the number of veterans on wait lists to be treated for everything from Hepatitis C to post-traumatic stress is 50 percent higher than at the same time last year, according to VA. McKimmey's son David is among those affected by the breakdown of services. He was 70% disabled by an IED explosion which blew him from his vehicle. David was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for crawling back into the fire after the explosion to try and save two young men who were ultimately fatally injured, and he received second and third degree burns to his face and hands along with the other injuries. He now must wait for extended periods of time for tests and care, and is often forced to endure long (and for him, potentially health-damaging) trips out-of-state to obtain treatment readily available nearby. And his family matters are in a state of chaos as he became the sole care-giver to his three infant children. This lot is being sold-commission free to the seller, and a portion of the buyer's premium will be donated to the seller as well.