Supporting Veterans Revisited: Why Do I Support Veterans?

After discussing yesterday's blog with my son, Jim, I wanted to get more particular on why I support Veteran's outside of my own family's experience and contribution.

Jim brought up the point that while he appreciated my comments of support as a family member, that it was important that I outline my support for Veterans in general.  I agree.

So here goes:  Top 3 Reasons I Support Veterans, Revisited

A veteran is an individual who has served in a military branch for any length of time. This includes all the active armed forces, National Guard and Reserve.  In these roles, veterans perform  specific duties and responsibilities which, in some way, responsible for protecting fellow citizens and this country from enemies and other crisis. Due to the nature of their job and degree of personal sacrifice, veterans deserve honor and respect, whether they were a cook, a clerk or an infantryman.

    1.   The Thin Green (Greenish Brown) Line

Our veterans, whether volunteers or (in the past) draftees, have put their lives in harms way and risked themselves to do their job.  In today’s military, they do this voluntarily, taking an oath to protect our country by:  walking into hot wars, driving over IED infested road-ways and more, to complete their mission and protect their fellow soldiers. Some veterans return home physically or emotionally wounded. Few people in today’s society are willing to take these risks.

2.   Sacrifice    Respect flows from doing thankless jobs that are often lonely and under harsh conditions and trying times. Veterans typically do not received basic recognition for

their sacrifices they’ve endured while fighting for their country. 

Generally speaking, even outside of war-time, members of the military are often means stationed far away from family members for long stretches of time. Veteran’s miss family gatherings, their children’s school activities and the comforts of home.  Members of the Armed Forces regularly are expected to sacrifice family time in order to complete their assigned mission.

 3.   Protection:    By serving their Country, Veterans have made it their duty to protect the United States  and its citizens.   As you watch the news in country’s where there are ongoing invasions and catastrophes, keep in mind that by serving, our Veterans made sure that we could enjoy the peace and tranquility and blessings of liberty rarely matched in other nations or other times.   

Keeping Veterans Top-of-Mind.  Yesterday I mentioned the Veteran's Office.  I won't repeat all of that, but to tell you that over the years, we've helped hundreds of veterans with rent assistance, filing for benefits, job placement, and more.  Make no mistake:  I am NOT taking

personal credit for this office's fine work.  But this is issue and our available services are constantly on my mind when I encounter veterans in need, or when the County is looking to add to its staff.  I want us to hire good employees and make sure that Veterans get a preference, since they bring many intangible skills to any job they fill.

Thanks for reading the follow-up!

tim