San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
The huge debt owed to thosewho serve
One of my fondest memories takes me back to Christmas 1979.
While I was super excited for Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ home, I was more excited my uncle would be home for Christmas.
My uncle was a first lieutenant in the 1st Marine Division, in a battalion landing team through jungle warfare school in Panama, and there was no better Christmas present for a 7-year-old than rummaging through his rucksack when he was home on leave. It was a treasure chest. He was a shining knight in his dress blues for Christmas. He remains a shining knight to this day.
Many of us are called to service. This year we have witnessed how service comes in many forms. Maybe it is as a pastor or priest, nurse or emergency room doctor, police officer, firefighter, judge, teacher, volunteer at the San Antonio Food Bank or one of my personal favorites — a journalist. All amazing careers or efforts fulfilled by dedicated people.
Today we honor a specific service, offering a salute and our gratitude to the men and women who served in the military. In my family, the stories of service are ever-present, which makes Veterans Day very special to me.
My grandfather lived until he was 93. As a captain in the “new” 4th Marines Regiment he served in the recapture of Guam during World War II. Now a famous story of bravery and sacrifice, the 4th Marines Regiment reconstituted its colors in August 1945 with the seizure of Okinawa and by freeing the “old” 4th Marines, who had been held as POWs after burning their colors before their surrender in May 1942 in Corregidor.
Before my grandfather passed in 2015, he saw two of his sons serve: the one already mentioned, and my other uncle (13th Marines, Vietnam, ’67-68); his nephew (Marines, India Company, 3/5 Dark Horse, Funan Valley, Vietnam, 1969); and his grandson, my cousin.
My cousin, fresh out of high school, served two tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan (Marines; Charlie 1/8) rising to the rank of squad leader. Safely home, he took advantage of the GI Bill and earned his degree. He then applied to Officer Candidate School, went to flight school and earned his wings. Now a captain, he navigates a Cobra attack helicopter. Another proud Marine in a family of Marines. Oorah!
In my family, we are fortunate the stories of service all ended the way they began, with life. For many, that is not the case. Veterans Day can be a sobering reminder of loss, anguish, and lifelong emotional and physical wounds. Approximately 17.4 million veterans walk with us as civilians. As stunning as that number is, it has steadily declined since 1980, when there were 40.7 million. Of the 17.4 million veterans, more than 9 million will lean on the Department of Veterans Affairs for assistance in 2020.
In 2017, the Pew Research Center studied what federal agencies have the highest favorability. Of 11 federal agencies, the VA came in last. The IRS had a higher favorability ranking. In the same study, more than 75 percent of respondents agreed our veterans are deserving of increased financial aid and services.
We must address this. Our veterans should be placed at the top of society not the bottom. Politicians, who often use veterans as a policy weapon or threat, also must stop. We need to demand action. A 48 percent favorability rating for an agency does not help my second cousin, who still suffers and leans on the VA after nearly dying while walking point in a rice field 51 years ago.
2020 has showed us all we have a long way to go as a society. Band-Aids have been ripped off, revealing deep, infected wounds. We are better than this. Our veterans deserve more from us.
Fortunately, there are several local organizations whose sole mission is to provide a better tomorrow for veterans who call San Antonio home. One organization is Operation Comfort. The kindness and thoughtfulness displayed to veterans by founder Janis Roznowski is a beacon of light and a great example for us all. This past week the San Antonio Express-News made a $25,000 donation to Operation Comfort.
As we enter the holiday season, I ask all of you to reflect on our society, especially the 17.4 million men and women who risked their lives for us.
Please join us in making a small donation to a local San Antonio agency serving our local veterans.
God bless our veterans.