Honor Thy Veterans

From the beginning of human history, people thought highly of their warriors. Ancient societies knew atrocity of wars and were grateful to their defenders.

Warrior class was respected by tribes, honor codes served as example for the entire community. Greeks and Egyptians developed medicine to cure war injuries, Aztec warriors were dining in royal palace; in medieval Europe knighthood was a reward for bravery in battle…

Thucydides (c.460-c.400 B.C), an Athenian general and precursor of political realism wrote: “The secret to happiness is freedom…And the secret to freedom is courage.”

How does our society honor our warriors? Does our community understand what freedom is?

Well, we have homeless Veterans…

Many would rather admire actors who play soldiers than our true heroes; it become “normal” that people who kick ball to entertain the crowds earn more than people who lose legs defending the country. Veteran “business” brought millions to “non-profits”, VA squandered billions “misspeaking” and “misspending” and some who seemingly want to help, have no clue what respect is : “Fun feeding homeless Vets” https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp2133267.jsp . Is it still United States of America or only https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZXy8wEiMOE United States of Veterans?

U.S Army Veteran and Founder of the George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society, Charles Province wrote: “It’s the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protesters to burn the flag”.

Paraphrasing his poem: How can we expect to have objective journalists if freedom of speech is taken away from our Veterans? How can we expect justice if the most deserving members of our society are condemned to inhuman treatment? How can we get rid of crooked politicians while the nation watched in silence entire dynasties turning our Veterans into a “vulnerable population”?

President Trump´s administration will have to either make law or accept lawlessness. How comes that patriots who share food with homeless Veterans face 60 days in jail and a fine, while VA execs get exonerated of any responsibility for billions of dollars “misspent”? With ex-administration´s Leavenworth Ten pet hates still in jail for doing their duty, how long should we tolerate street thugs attacking our heroes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuTyBLtlbd0  ?

General Patton advised: ”Unless you do your best, the day will come when, tired and hungry, you will halt just short of the goal you were ordered to reach, and by halting you will make useless the efforts and deaths of thousands”.

 How many of our Veterans must die homeless before it´s clear that we do not owe them “alms” but an overdue debt? How many of the bravest must perish before the society understands that our freedom is going away with them?

Lincoln warned: “A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure”.

Isn´t it ironic that the credit for survival of values and country-saving attitudes still goes to Veterans? These are our warriors who inspired millions of us to stand up for our country and traditions. On Veterans Day, what can we wish our Veterans who are homeless, jobless or still waiting for medical care? Saying “Happier Veterans Day” again it´s not enough, we must take the oath: “We will fight to change the world for you because you changed the world for us” – and keep it.

Joanna Rosamond