Pause today ? officially marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when an armistice ended the horror of the Great War ? to dedicate more than honored memory to the 43 million who have served us in the armed forces of the United States.
Let us this day pledge to help those who serve us now.
One thing all Americans can agree on, whether they oppose or support the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is that the men and women in harm?s way did not set the course of policy or determine strategy. They merely answered yes to the call of duty.
Our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, wives, husbands and friends who now kill and are killed, who maim and are maimed, who suffer heartache months away from loved ones and home, deserve the full support of our entire nation without regard to politics.
Factions can argue without surcease the wisdom of our current government?s actions in this 1,000-year war.
They can decry, excuse or ignore our treatment of veterans injured in body and mind.
But none of us can deny the immediate needs of those who serve.
Since our nation?s founding, more than a million members of our armed forces have died in war. About 1.5 million have been wounded.
The Veterans Affairs Administration, which is the largest provider of services to the homeless, estimates about 200,000 ? including about 400 from Iraq and Iran ? on any given night have no roof over their heads.
As of Sept. 30, 2.8 million veterans receive disability compensation. About 250,000 are rated 100 percent disabled. More than 323,000 receive pensions. Another 317,000 spouses receive benefits. Almost 8 million veterans are enrolled in the health care system, with about 300,000 receiving post-traumatic stress syndrome compensation.
Even though too many of our veterans still do not receive the full measure of care that we owe them, we truly can say that no nation in history does more.
In addition to the VA, a blessed host of private organizations work day in and day out to help veterans.
Less known are those organizations working to help active-duty personnel on the ground right now.
One of the best is Maryland?s own A Taste of Home. Founded almost two years ago by Dr. Bob Strahl of Ellicott City, the volunteer organization provides “materials which will give physical and emotional support to Maryland?s sons and daughters stationed in dangerous and distant lands.”
Strahl vows “A Taste of Home is completely apolitical and nonpartisan.”
On this day set aside to honor and remember all those who have served us so well, do so by helping those who serve us now.
Contact A Taste of Home and give.
