Heartbreaking: Disabled Veteran Denied Help, Left in Storm at Shreveport VA
Shreveport, LA - This video is so tough to watch. Shreveport is lucky to have a VA Med Center. But we often hear complaints about the services provided by the VA to veterans in this region. As the Mother of 2 United States Marines, this video has got me very upset. It will probably trouble you too.
What Happened to Alex Harkrider at Shreveport VA?
This is the story of USMC Veteran Alex Harkrider. He is a 100% disabled combat Marine veteran. He was honorably discharged from the Marines. He is struggling with PTSD and depression and may also be suicidal. He obviously needs mental health assistance. Isn't that the job of our VA hospitals? Do they still provide those services?
Ryan Nichols of Longview drove to Shreveport to help Alex after getting a call from him. Alex was denied services at the VA Hospital and told to leave the property. He was put out into a severe thunderstorm and a flash flood warning. Nichols says Alex "has been struggling for YEARS." Harkrider fought for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shouldn't we be doing better for him? We must do better.
This video shows what happened at the Shreveport VA.
"WARNING: FOUL LAUNGUAGE"
Appeals for Help from VA and Allegations of System Failure
Alex begged the doctors to admit him to the hospital to get him some help, but they told him 'No'. Nichols says "the VA is FAILING our heroes." He claims they are threatening to take his benefits. Alex and Ryan are both January 6th insurrectionists, but both have gotten full pardons by the President.
Nichols says there is corruption in the system which he claims is completely broken. He says "our veterans are dying while the VA plays games."
I must note, Nichols is currently running for Congress in Texas and claims the current Congressman Nate Moran is a RINO (Republican in Name Only).
KEEL News has reached out to VA Medical Center Director Richard Crockett and Assistant Director David Williams. We have also sent an email asking for a response from Chief of Staff Meredith Wooster, but we have not yet heard back from any of them.