Over the last few weeks, a series of unrelated yet increasingly disturbing reports on the fate of Iraq veterans presents a shameful picture of a government that calls on its citizens to fight for its honor, yet holds those same soldiers in contempt once their work is done.

For example:

* A new study by Harvard Medical School found that millions of veterans and their families have no access to health care. They can't get care in veterans hospitals or clinics, and they can't afford health insurance to get care privately. The American Journal of Public Health, which published the study, estimates that nearly 2 million veterans were uninsured and unable to get care.

* That's bad enough, but it suggests a potential widescale crisis given a new study by the Journal of the American Medical Association. That study found that the number of soldiers coming home with mental injuries from Iraq will be much higher than predicted, because mental trauma often takes months to manifest. Many veterans will seem fine when they return, but will be in a slow decline in terms of their mental condition.

* Another new study from the National Alliance to End Homelessness found that a quarter of the homeless population are veterans and that more than 1,000 are Iraq veterans. Scarily, but not surprisingly, we can expect many more homeless Iraq vets, as more soldiers come home.

* An Army report of a few months ago found that the suicide rate among Army vets is at its highest rate in more than 25 years, with many of those taking their own lives being veterans of Iraq. The report found a direct correlation between extended deployments in Iraq - now up to 15 months at a time - and the suicide rate.

Perhaps the saddest part of this ordeal is that we knew this would happen.

We know from the experience of Vietnam that the mental trauma suffered by those who fight in a 360-degree battlefield is severe, and it takes constant and accurate screening and care to stave off drug abuse, homelessness and suicide. And, still, we weren't prepared. The Department of Veterans Affairs is still underfunded by billions, according to virtually every veterans organization.

Instead of springing into action, our elected leaders have opted for a slow slog, with the president haggling over every penny for veterans, and too many in Congress willing to drag out the fight.

AND NOW Congress is on vacation for Thanksgiving, while the president rejected the latest bill to pass Congress that would have increased funding for veterans care. Meanwhile, the president heads down to the ranch to enjoy his Thanksgiving. He may even thank our troops when he says grace.

But considering the appalling neglect of those very troops when they come home, those thanks will be nothing but lip service. What is needed is a comprehensive plan to cover, protect and help veterans: We need to build a solid safety net for our troops, starting with expanded health coverage, and that includes removing the barriers to both physical and mental care.

There is no excuse for Congress or the president to take any time off until they provide our heroes with the care they deserve. *