OPINION:
I just heard about the injustice inflicted on Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who despite having served in the U.S Marine Corps for many years, was jailed this week. The reason: He violated UCMJ laws by making a video asking for those responsible for the botched Afghanistan evacuation to stand up and admit their guilt.
Prior to this, for his troubles in wanting the truth to come out, Scheller was reportedy sent to a mental-health specialist.
It is outrageous to think that the Marine Corps hasn’t changed much since I was in it. As a 17-year-old, I severely injured my back in training — but no one believed me. After 10 months of sick-call visits and physical therapy I was sent to Vietnam, where I turned 18 in unfit condition.
After being wounded five times, I was sent to Cam Ranh Bay to heal. When I complained of sever pain running down my leg I was told the pains were “phantom” and would go away on their own. I was sent back into combat.
I wrote home for help when I was all but paralyzed. Then I was sent to Guam, where they found two ruptured discs in my lower back. From there I went to Saint Albans hospital in New York, where one disc was removed and the other was repaired.
When I was discharged I applied for a disability from the VA — but learned that all of the X-rays and documentation (with the exception of one sick call page two weeks before I was wounded) had been removed from my medical file to hide a serious case of medical malpractice, which cost me dearly. I got my 100% rating after five years of fighting the VA but was robbed of my honors and a Bronze Star for saving another Marine’s life while wounded myself. After years of trying to get my medals, my records were conveniently lost.
Knowing how despicable military people with an agenda can be, I demand Lt. Col. Scheller be released from jail — and those who put him there just to shut him up be investigated. “Loyalty above all else, accept honor.”
GREGORY J. TOPLIFF
Warrenville, S.C.
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