Veteran's Day ... memories and remembrance
I have pretty good memories of my time in the USAF. Of course I wasn't subjected to the horros of war, which make my memories different than many other veterans. And though I served during war time (Desert Storm) I did not actually serve in the war zone. If it had gone on a few more months, that may have changed. I did receive a notice of itinerary for my possible future deployment and knew where I would be going just not when.
Some have attempted in the past to turn this political. Military members serving only during peace time depicted as being in some way deficient or inferior to those who were in the line of fire. But that was just some weird cooked up politcal nonsense which I suppose was meant to stir up animosity with various veteran's groups for some strange reason. Didn't work.
I do wish the honoring of veteran's had more substance to it. The horrors of how the VA hospitals are so backlogged and inferior are a disgrace. The recent fiasco of the Department of Defense sending collection notices and wage garnishment notices to National Guard members who served in active war zones on active duty and who may have received bonuses that were in error, and the DoD wanted their money back, was an embarrassment. The current military being stretched thin on multiple missions as if pieces on some maniac's board game is disgusting.
I am sure there have been many flowering speeches today about how the government owes the military members, past and present, a debt for their service. And that certainly is true. But how about stepping up to the table and paying that debt with action and results?
I salute those who have gone before me, those I served with, and those serving after. And I wish you peace and success in spite of the obstacles your own government has thrown before you.
Some have attempted in the past to turn this political. Military members serving only during peace time depicted as being in some way deficient or inferior to those who were in the line of fire. But that was just some weird cooked up politcal nonsense which I suppose was meant to stir up animosity with various veteran's groups for some strange reason. Didn't work.
I do wish the honoring of veteran's had more substance to it. The horrors of how the VA hospitals are so backlogged and inferior are a disgrace. The recent fiasco of the Department of Defense sending collection notices and wage garnishment notices to National Guard members who served in active war zones on active duty and who may have received bonuses that were in error, and the DoD wanted their money back, was an embarrassment. The current military being stretched thin on multiple missions as if pieces on some maniac's board game is disgusting.
I am sure there have been many flowering speeches today about how the government owes the military members, past and present, a debt for their service. And that certainly is true. But how about stepping up to the table and paying that debt with action and results?
I salute those who have gone before me, those I served with, and those serving after. And I wish you peace and success in spite of the obstacles your own government has thrown before you.