If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
The Blog
Every Memorial Day growing up, we would go to the Winnetka, Ill., Village Green where there is a large monument to all the service members who had die...
Each Memorial Day, my thoughts return to 1969 when I served in Vietnam. I remember the young men we lost in the in the Ninth Combat Infantry Division ...
The psychological and emotional effects of combat are often referred to as the "hidden wounds of war." But given veteran rates of homelessness, unemployment, divorce, depression, incarceration, and suicide, how can such wounds really be invisible or hard to detect?
Last year a good friend of mine told me of how she felt of me being able to go to many places in honor of my fellow veterans. I don't consider it a vacation on any level, but as a way of continuing my duty. I believe this is how many veterans of my era and previous eras feel, as well.
This weekend the United States celebrates Memorial Day. Sadly, for many Americans the holiday mostly marks the beginning of summer rather than a time to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country.
That's the spirit of Memorial Day; it's the remembrance of those who didn't come back alive, and a celebration of the esprit-de-corps and how they lived their lives.God bless the United States and those who stand watch over us tonight.
There is much anguish at the plight of returning vets and their families, but as we enter the Memorial Day weekend, every vet and civilian in the country can take hope and inspiration from an amazing documentary released last year.
We should use this Memorial Day as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that American soldiers of all social and political stripes have made in defense of our country.
It's not about carving out specialty justice for veterans, but rather about putting similar systems in place that help divert vulnerable populations who require services rather than incarceration.
We should respect each other's commitment to community and country. There is no reason why we cannot stand up for all the fallen, so that Memorial Day will honor all those who gave their lives in the service of their neighbors as well as their nation.
Obama claims we will be out of Afghanistan by 2014. Romney seems to think that is about right, depending on who's asking. Fortunately, there is a third way for America.
As we once again observe Memorial Day we remember and honor the more than one million American men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all our wars, including more than 6,800 from our two most recent wars -- and counting.
There has never been an investigation, ceremonial firings, media outrage, or congressional hearings as to "why" the nation has failed again to meet the mental health needs of the warrior class.
Quiz Americans and a surprising number undoubtedly won't have thought about the "memorial" in Memorial Day at all -- especially now that it's largely a marker of the start of summer and an excuse for cookouts.
Obama has long claimed that he would bring an end to the war will end by 2014, which is still way too long to wait. As for sticking around for another 12 years, the very idea should be maddening to anyone.
The dozens of veterans who tossed their medals in Chicago earlier this week deserve to have their protest recorded. Theirs was an act of valor and courage which was arguably equal if not greater to the deeds which earned them those medals in the first place.
