In loving memory of
David E. Krause, Jr

• April 26, 1923
• -
• September 05, 2012

Mr Krause; High Cost College? All colleges tend to be high cost these days. But unesls its a specific vocational school, the Voc Rehab will only cover a State School. So, if you have a loophole, please share, I’d love to know. As for the V.A. Voc Rehab, it can be a lengthy process and full of bueracracy which makes it seem all the longer. Plus evaluations and follow up evals argh!!! The biggest hurdle I have seen are two actualy both stemming from the same problem. Understaffing. I had one counselor who was mental and she had an attituide, she was beyond a stress monster always trying to get the numbers so she can report to her boss. She had issues. Her replacement was a bureacrat who again did alot of twisting of words to duck blame and issue. Another counselor, contract her attituide was “good enough for government work” litteraly. That got me dropped from the program. So, keep coppies, document things in writting. And, if something is incorrect, or they say “close enough” well the V.A.‘s motto is, “Good isn’t good enough.” So ask for them to correct it so your papperwork doesn’t get kicked back and you end up SOL in the middle of the semester. The folks I have now, are sterling. These folks are from a different regional office, the bad folks were out of the San Diego Office, the ones now are out of L.A. They have dropped the ball a few times. But, they have not tried to pen fudge things to make it my fault. Sadly, my counselor is in the basement of the V.A. without even a file cabinet to store his files. and he has stacks of files all over. Much much more than he can handle or should handle. But he tries. The contract counselor is pretty good. Again they have dropped the ball a couple times but when I let them know it is biting me in the you know, they do everything to make good. A few times they have failed to pass the word, like summer school isn’t covered. I got that happy news yesterday, its a nasty blow but its already done, so I can hang. It would have been nice if they followed through and told me prior to the session starting however. Again, this is more a result of them being understaffed which is a result of under funding because the gov is trying to cram 10lbs of stuff in a 5 pound sack, trying to do more with fewer people, alas, the end result it is the folks the system is supposed to help end up taking it in the shorts, whereas those who are supposed to help us either they loose the quality people, or those who do care are between a rock and hard place at being unable to do their jobs. So, these are some of the pitfalls of the V.A. Voc Rehab system, know them, watch out for them, and remember get it, no matter what it is in writting! Good luck and Semper Fi

I will terribly miss "Poppie" who taught me so much about being a good husband and father. He showed me by word and deed what it meant to be patient and contented with the things of life. He was a true "second father" to me for over 45 years, always available with a listening ear and wise advice. He was a source of inspiration to me with his devout faith in God and unwavering patriotism of America, a true member of "The Greatest Generation". I have many wonderful memories of Poppie which I will cherish the rest of my life. I am a better man today by having had him as my Father-in-Law. I love you, Dad.

Bruce