Veterans Day 2013

                                                                                                                                              

     I have not let a day that honors our military go by without some kind of commentary.  I was thinking of what I could add that was not stated before.  Today, on the CBS Sunday Morning show, I saw this story about wounded warriors finding a sense of peace through music.

      Watch this story and you will feel the depth of their pain, struggle, and motivation to live.  On this Veterans Day, thank you is only the beginning of what we owe these brave men and women.  There is nothing I can add to the words of the veterans themselves, and maybe that is the way it should be.

http://youtu.be/b2QBOK1nFL4

Storming the Gates

      The ineptitude of Congress has forced a government shutdown. The welfare of the people has been overstepped in favor of political standings.  The worst part of this occurrence is the number of citizens who will suffer in terms of income and services.  Amidst the confusion and disbelief, a group of veterans from what is often called the nation’s greatest generation, showed us the will and strength of the American people.

     World War II veterans, in their ‘80s and ‘90s arrived at the gates of the WWII memorial only to find gates blocking the entrance. After travelling thousands of miles, and planning for months, the reality of the shutdown stared them in the face. They fought in a horrendous war. Many of their fellow soldiers did not return. Many came back injured or suffering from PTSD. They returned, went back to work, raised families, and lived their lives with a legacy of having served their country. They believed in the land of the free and the home of the brave. To them, there was no place better than the United States of America.

     So, this week, when they arrived to find the gates closed, they reached back to the strength and courage they had all those years ago and fought their way in. They visited the memorial that honored the sacrifice so many had given in order to preserve the freedom we treasure. They reminded us of the American they for which they fought so hard.  They lived a life dedication and love of country.

     The politicians did not need to be there. We didn’t need to hear the prepared statements they made in disguise of praise. We cheered when we saw those gates come down, and the veterans made their way to their memorial. In many ways it symbolized what we as a country need to do. We need to start working together to find solutions. We need to respect our fellow citizens and remember that no matter what we go though, we can come out stronger. We have stay focused, determined, and bust through the obstacles that hold us back. Just like the veterans from a war that changed the world continue to show us by storming through those gates.

Remembering Our America

     This weekend, the nation celebrates Memorial Day.  Picnics and parades will commence in numerous towns and cities across America.  This year the feeling is especially poignant given the number of human tragedies and natural disasters which have occurred.  It has been a never-ending series of events causing pain and disbelief.  We are a nation stuck in a mode of constant healing, and are wondering if there will ever be a period of calm and peace again.  Storms, bombings, shootings, bullying, and economic depression have left us praying for those suffering loss and heartache.  In the midst of all the chaos, comes a holiday when we honor those who have served our country.  A country whose values they held close to their heart in hope of preserving our democracy and freedom.

     My mother’s uncles served in both world wars.  Uncle Mike served in WWI. He was given special honors for his bravery.   Experiencing happenings so horrific, he actually tried to get himself shot in the leg near the end so that he could go home.  Uncle Tony served in WWII.  He joked that he only won the lottery once in his life.  Surprisingly when he went to claim, there were thousands of other winners.  Not a day went by when he didn’t have some story related to the war.  A good, kind man, the effects were deep and lasting.  Although parades were held in the large cities, soldiers returning to small towns and rural areas simply went home to the relief of their loved ones.  Somehow their lives went on, but the experience lived with them forever.

     On Monday, when people gather to celebrate in backyards, parks, and on Main Street, let’s remember our America.  It remains country of enduring hope, support, and thoughts of the future.  A country where people offer support to those in need and those capable of evil will never be tolerated.  Areas of destruction will be rebuilt, and those lost will never be forgotten.  The veterans, who served so proudly and sacrificed so much, deserve our praise for reminding us what it means to be an American, and for being the definition of love of country.   God bless America.

 

The Freedom Granted by July 4th

      The Fourth of July is here again.  People celebrate with barbecues, going to the shore, fireworks, parades, and family gatherings.   But what are we celebrating?  Do we take time to remember the meaning of the day?  It is the day when America declared its independence, but it also serves as a reminder of a value we all treasure.  Freedom.  It is a term which at times requires a refresher course regarding its meaning.   There are those who tend to forget that all Americans are granted a right to freedom.

Centuries ago, people braved the oceans to escape religious persecution.  They wanted the right to worship and follow traditions as they believed.  Why then does religion play such a part in our political elections and rulings?  If everyone has the right to worship as they see fit, how can any religion determine the social and moral standards of living of people living in this country.  As long as it abides by the law of the land, no group or individual should be told how to live their life.

The writers of our nation’s documents were wise to include the separation of church and state.   It did not stop anyone from having their own beliefs, but it ensured that those beliefs would not influence our laws.  Yet the campaigns of our candidates for public office have to tip toe around certain groups so as to not offend and lose their vote.  This is another game of politics which many can see right through.  Our leaders have to make clear their stance on issues and remember that they are representative of a nation, but any one group.

So on July 4th, remember the people from past generations who fought for freedom.  They are the colonists, the suffragettes, the civil rights leaders, and the thousands of Americans who served and gave their lives defending our freedom.  They are the people who continue to fight for equality.  Remember that we enjoy the rights and way of life that others around the world aspire to.   Every individual has the freedom to live a life that brings the greatest achievement of all.   Happiness.

Continuing the Support of Our Troops

The war had been declared over in Iraq.  After 9 long years, the troops are withdrawing and coming home.  This is a welcomed holiday gift for the service men and women, and their loved ones.   Close to 4,500 died, and 30,000 were injured in a country most cannot even locate on a map.  A place so far that it doesn’t come to mind every day.   A country so different from our own that it is difficult to completely understand what are young people were sent to fight for.   There are similarities of horror and fear for all those who fight in a war.  The difference this time around is that we have no excuse in understanding and helping the veterans who have sacrificed so much.

We send off our young at a time when they are just starting to find their way in life.  Some have just finished school, others are newly married, or have young  children.  All leave behind family, friends, and a hometown to worry about their safety and well-being.  What we can’t imagine or fully comprehend, is what these brave young people saw and dealt with on a day-to-day basis.  The horrors of war do not leave a person when they come home.  My mother’s uncle was a World War II veteran.  Anytime you saw him, a story about his time in the war came up.  Some came home to a hero’s parade.  Being from a small town, that didn’t happen for him.  There were no programs to assist returning soldiers and jobs had to be found.  Nothing was handed to them.

The veterans of Vietnam came home to a hostile and indifferent nation.  It took way too much time to recognize the service  of these soldiers.  Many of the returning Iraqi war veterans are starting to utter the same feelings and concerns.  Have we not learned anything from out past?  Regardless of how any individual feels about a war, respect for the commitment and promise these individuals made for our country should be offered.  It takes a special human being to confront danger on a daily basis.   The least we can do is honor the oath they took to defend and protect the freedom we so enjoy.  So, whenever you see or hear that someone has served our country, no matter what war, let them know that we stand behind them and will continue to offer support for as long as they live.   Money was available to fight the war, money should be available to support its veterans.  In addition, the validation of  a job well-done needs to be expressed repeatedly.   In America, it is right thing to do.

The Flag Flies at Half-Mast

Article first published as The Flag Flies At Half-Mast on Technorati.

For the past couple of weeks, I have noticed that the flag has been flying at half-mast.  Although it is always noticeable when lowered, it has been this way for what seems longer than usual.  The reason is there has been more than one loss of a young soldier in a short period of time.  As time moves on, as the war spreads over years, we can become complacent in our realization that lives are being lost every day due to wars in another part of the world far away from the United States.   A country that many of us will never know, never visit, and will never understand.  President Obama  has announced that troops will begin withdrawing from Afghanistan, and 30,000 will  be  sent to the U.S. by next summer.   For Americans, the time has come to bring our people home.

Summertime has arrived.  School has ended.   The children are experiencing carefree days filled with relaxation and fun.  We go off on vacations, spend time swimming, and have barbecues.  The days are longer and the pace is slower.   Life for many is enjoyable, and yet that flag flies at half-mast.  I can only imagine the magnitude of the loss felt for these young people.  The family and loved ones they left behind.  The hope for the future they held, and the promise they gave to serve their country.  It was a promise which most likely would have continued in some capacity upon their return.

Equally important are the soldiers who returned but have been physically injured or mentally impaired.  They left  Afghanistan, but are still dealing with the effects of war.   So much has been given in order to fight an evil that destroyed a country, and threatened ours.  For many, the memories of this war will linger long after we move on.

In this period between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, we should remember all those who served to provide us with the freedoms of which we are accustomed, and often take for granted.   Next summer there will be many others who will join us in our celebration of hope and happiness, of liberty and justice.  In the meantime, we must continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers for a safe return, and never forget the sacrifice they made for the love of our country.