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
Being anti-war does not mean that you still can't value the mission of the soldiers as the guardians of our liberties and our way of life-or their status as "heroes," particularly those who fought and died.
Across the country this memorial day, in parks and at parades, before sporting events and at graduation ceremonies, the hypocrisy of men extolling the glories of warfare was on obscene display.
The issues that veterans face are multi-faceted, so when companies bring their unique skills to the table they can improve the employment prospects for vets in surprising ways.
Take a moment to reflect on why we are celebrating Memorial Day. It is due to the sacrifice of these soldiers, men and women who have fought for our freedom.
Although it seems that the media does not do enough to portray patriotic Latinos and their contributions to American wars, let us not be dismayed. Instead, let us all remember great leaders in American history, and create a culture of unity.
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 ...
While too many Americans are struggling in this economy, it's particularly difficult for our young vets. Currently, more than 12 percent of our veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are unemployed. This is unacceptable.
In these tragic moments, when we have lost a friend, son, brother, father, mother, sister, daughter or fiancé, we have not lost all that they accomplished in their lives. Their legacies and examples will withstand time, as long as we continue to honor the fallen.
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?
Here in my city of Chicago, as NATO gathers amid displays of military force as well as protests, I pray for comfort for all those who have lost a loved one to the ravages of war. I pray that the peace of Christ, which passes all human understanding, will knit together this weary and war-torn world.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who have died in our nation's service. Regardless of what our opinions are about war, one fact remains: There are thousands of people who survive who are in great need of healing.
Getting veterans to the help they need is imperative. It is also valuable for us to have an understanding of the many factors that lead to increased suicide risk among veterans.
Today, more than 1.3 million Latinos serve in our armed forces and almost 16 percent of all newly enlisted, active duty members of all branches of the military are Hispanic. We are also veterans. In 2009, 1.1 million Latinos were veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, and that number continues to grow.
This Memorial Day, honor those who have fallen in service to the nation. They have given the last full measure and they surely deserve our respect and gratitude. But take just a minute to honor those who fought in our wars and lived. For many, their battles are far from over.
We are filmmakers in our late 20s and, like most everyone in our generation, we take a lot of things for granted. Past Memorial Days have simply been a day off from work, a trip to the beach and a barbecue in the backyard. This one is different.
The inconvenient truth that won't be discussed enough this weekend is that fewer and fewer members of our armed forces are actually dying in today's wars. This Memorial Day, let's consider the courageous, wounded warriors.
