Carlos Lopez: He was wounded in Iraq and wants his benefits

I joined the Army in 1981, a year after high school. I was a military police officer from 1981-97, deployed to operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, and Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

When the military began reducing forces in 1997, soldiers got severance pay to be paid back at 2 percent a month upon retiring with a stipulation of six years in the National Guard. I signed up and came back to Merced to join law enforcement.

In November, 2001, my National Guard unit was deployed to Afghanistan. I was gone 14 months.

Upon returning, I went back to work. Then, three months later, I was re-deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was injured and wounded in Karbala, Iraq. By the grace of God, I got my soldiers out of the area but was shot. I received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

I received a 10-percent disability rating for loss of hearing (high-pitch) and 10 percent for my wounds. Despite this, I was deployed again from 2006-07.

Now the government is taking all of my disability pay to repay the severance from my first deployment, though I still have the disabilities. I have emailed the governor, no response. I went to Assemblyman Adam Gray’s office and they stated it’s not within their purview. I went to Senator Anthony Cannella’s office, and they said there was nothing they can do.

I have been called several times to protect this great nation. I am not asking for a handout. I answered the call and served. Now I’m asking you to answer my call.

Editor’s note: Veterans issues are handled by the U.S. government. Contact U.S. Representative Jim Costa, 2222 M Street (209 384-1620), or the offices of senators Barbara Boxer (559 497-5109) or Dianne Feinstein (559 485-7430), both at 2500 Tulare St., Fresno.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Carlos Lopez: He was wounded in Iraq and wants his benefits."