Friday, November 11, 2011

A national disgrace


As I sit here in relatively comfortable surroundings this Veterans Day, I am saddened by what I keep reading and seeing in how our government screws over the Veteran.

Without getting into a lot of negative things here, you can do various searches and see that being a Veteran is not the most easy thing to accept, especially of the lack of respect and support for the returning Veterans. The lack of ongoing support, such as mental health and related symptoms and conditions which were caused because of active duty is a disgrace.

We ask these people to sacrifice their families, their well being, their livelihood and finally their lives.

The ultimate sacrifice that they didn't ask for.

The sad thing is that many veterans that return, the ones that have wounded either physically or mentally have very limited resources to fall back on.

Here we sit enjoying the benefits of their sacrifices while they come back sometimes becoming homeless, because of circumstances beyond their control and find very few avenues for real help.

I heard about an organization about two years ago that helps the returning Veteran, especially the ones that have lost an arm or a leg or even more. The organization is called Wounded Warrior Project.

I have heard about the good things this organization does and how important some of their programs are.

I urge you to go to their web site and make a donation which will provide some assistance to a person who you don't know, other than they made a sacrifice that we all benefit from.

It doesn't' matter if you are for or against the wars that our government seem to push us into, all that matters is that these people understand that there are people around to support them when then need it.

Next time you see a person in uniform, take a minute to thank them for their service. I guarantee you, you greeting will be received graciously and your thanking them will also make you feel proud to have them representing our lives and country.

If you are able to make a donation please do so. If not, just thank the next Veteran you see!

Thanks for your attention.

7 comments:

Steve Cotton said...

Or hire a veteran. That is what most of them need. A transition back into American society. But thanks for the reminder. For me, my 5 years working with DOD were some of the best years of my life -- including the subsequent 23 years in the reserves.

Michael Dickson said...

I am a veteran, so you can thank me. In the meantime, here is another good organization:

http://usacares.org/

- Mexican Trailrunner said...

Very nice post, Tancho. I will do that.
The older I get, the more disgusted I get with my country of birth.

jerryL said...

Thank you for reminding us about honoring their service and plight.

Mike Nickell and Cynthia Johnson said...

Next time you see a person in uniform, take a minute to thank them for their service.

Such a simple act can make such a simple difference. Nice post.

norm said...

Coxies army comes to mind from your leader. WW1 vets out of work and marching on Washington in the 30s is so much like our current protesters. Our government broke up the 30s protest with canon and tripod guns. We live in interesting times...

Anonymous said...

Well said all. We send regular care packages to a forward company of Marines in A'Stan. Small acts are so important.
Mexican trail runner: I hear you loud and clear. It has changed.
I get the same feelings somtimes.
Thank You Veterans!
-ac-