8 October, 1962

Dear President Kennedy,

Thanks to your interest, today I received belatedly the French Croix de guerre with palm and the French Fourragere, Belgian fouragere and the Netherlands orange lanyard. I knew I had some foreign combat awards due me but just never took the trouble to find out about them. Thank you very much for seeing about these. They are nice. U.S> Congressman George Andrews is seeing about the DSC for me. I was recommended for the DSC, our second highest combat award twice, once in Sicily and Normandy. Thanks to Congressman Andrews I am certain to receive one DSC. I have enough medals. Giving me more medals now, later, or never can't change a thing sir. All my deeds are done. I did them willingly, voluntarily, as the record will plainly reveal.

Now could you have the VA Mr. Farmers office specifically award me the Order OF THE DOG COLLAR? It would be appropriate to go with the way "LIKE A DOG" Mr. Farmer has treated me and continues to treat me.

I have never been treated so much like a dog as Mr. A. W. Farmer's office has done. He is director of pension and compensation service. But V.A, treats all veterans like dogs.

I appreciate your offer to personally refund the $800.00 POW pay VA stole from me. But I cannot accept it sir. Therefore I am returning you personal check, unendorsed. It is good to know someone in government cares after being treated LIKE A DOG, by V.A. since 27 August 1945. Surely VA could award me A DOGS COLLAR or something equally appropriate. TO THE DOG TREATMENT MR FARMER HANDS OUT SO LAVISHLY.

I just wonder if A.W. Farmer ever served this nation except in some rotten way.

"TREATING VETERANS LIKE DOGS OR SOME EQUALLY ROTTEN DOINGS"

I am still waiting for one answer to just one question for Dog treating Mr. Farmer. Just one acknowledgement President Kennedy it is inconceivable to me that VA can continue to exist as presently administered. VA needs to forcibly be reminded that veterans are human beings "Not Dogs" even though Mr. Farmer treats us that way. VA needs to be forcibly divested of its arbitrary presumption of ownership of what the American people gave VA to administer on behalf of our veterans.

With Every good wish I am combat disabled veteran

Most Hopefully, Eddie Livingston

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