Update: Thursday

As of today, I have emailed our ARRC-ERF application to CSM Collins with copies of all the bills we are requesting get paid (I did this on Wednesday-yesterday). This is an emergency relief fund that we used the first time. They gave us an interest free loan which we promptly paid back as soon as Michael received some of his back-pay. They also paid one or two of the bills with grant money that we didn't have to pay back, which was nice. Also, we received assistance from USA Cares. They brought our mortgage payment current at the time, as well as paying a few other past due bills, with a grant.

If Michael and I ever get to a point where we can comfortably make donations to charities, USA Cares and the Arkansas Reserve Components Emergency Relief Fund will certainly be at the top of our list!

Now, as for how all of this makes Michael feel...as far as I can tell, and from what we've talked about, the situation makes him feel expendable and worthless. Now is that how a veteran should feel? No, I am pretty sure he should feel the complete opposite! He has done his duty to this country. He was a good soldier and a good medic-probably one of the best. He should feel that the military recognizes and respects this and does their best to make his life a little better. But instead, we are hung up in the middle of the bureaucracy that is the United States government, making up for the inadequacies of people who cannot fulfill their job duties, doing the majority of the paper and leg-work ourselves.

Brie'Anne