Governor Skye Greene stood amongst FBN reporters asking for comments on the liberation of the Earth. Governor Greene has been an outspoken critic of the military using victories at Vulcan and now at Earth to reestablish control over the colony.
Commodore Viceroy looked out at the students and began:
Supporters of the Phoenix Federation liberation of Earth and Vulcan cheerlead from their armchairs for the women and men of Star Fleet. Some folks send packages of goodies and letters to soldiers and sailors. Supporters of Governor Greene stand on a street corners in Omega Prime asking to bring our troops home.
But what about support when they come back? While some historical references reflect an effort to support our soldiers upon their return from battle, our history of neglecting soldiers also flourishes and seems to be getting worse.
While some of these benefits are available here on the colony today, nearly 300,000 current veterans can be found homeless each night, and more than 500,000 veterans will experience homelessness sometime during the year.
Phoenix Fleet veterans, because of the defection of Admiral William Hunt, received little of the support and recognition that previous veterans received.
Because of situations like this, nearly three times the number of Phoenix liberation veterans will die after coming home rather than die during the war.
Today, there are reports of Star Fleet Personnel wounded on Vulcan or the Earth, being secretly transferred from Starbase 185, under the cover of cloak, to military transport shuttles and dispersed out to Starbase hospitals across the quadrant. Why? So that we do not see them.
Coffins of dead Star Fleet Officers cannot be photographed returning home. Why? So that we do not see them. So people will forget the rise of V'Ros and forget the Vulcan Superiority.
Is this the kind of support we want to give to our soldiers? Hiding them from the public eye? Relegating them to the streets to fend for themselves? Are we trying to hide something?
Is it easier to support the mythical, invisible image of a brave soldier fighting for "glory" and "freedom" than it is to support the very real limbless, psychologically damaged or lifeless person returning from the Phoenix Liberation?
Why are we increasing spending in Phoenix Liberation to make more disabled veterans, and then cutting spending to care for them when they come home by closing Starbase hospitals and decreasing benefits?
Come on. We can do better than that.
Posted by:
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Star Fleet Commanding Officer
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
