Last Sunday, as NATO members met to discuss their upcoming plans for the war in Afghanistan, some members of the Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Against the War (IAVW) publicly returned their medals in protest of the repeated decision to continue putting Americans in harm's way. Their message highlights the sharp divide between those making war policy and those who actually have to fight in those wars; it shows us that there is a sharp disconnect that tends to ignore the concerns of the people who fill our boots on the ground.
It is a sign that we should think of this year's Memorial Day as more than the three-day weekend that people have come to treat it as. As President Barack Obama begins to bring more of our men and women in uniform home from Iraq and Afghanistan, 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. More importantly, it is a day in which we should show our veterans gratitude for the service that they have performed. I encourage everyone to express their gratitude to friends, loved ones and fellow community members whose brave service may not otherwise garner the full recognition that is deserved.
It should astonish us, for instance, that almost one-fifth of military service members returning from our chosen wars in Iraq and Afghanistan displayed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which takes a heavy toll on one's day-to-day life and can impair basic mental functions. Research from the RAND Corporation has found that if the government actually provided returning veterans with high-quality treatment of their mental health issues, we could drastically reduce the overall cost to society posed by this public health problem.
We need to make it clear that we treat those who defend our freedoms with dignity and respect. But the rate at which we let our veterans fall by the wayside is appalling. When one out of four homeless persons is a veteran, clearly we have failed them as a nation. We should make it easier for soldiers to transition into civilian life. The efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs under the leadership of Secretary Eric K. Shinseki have made some good first steps in addressing the problem, but more work needs to be done to help our returning heroes become successful on the homefront.
As a Korean War veteran, I understand that the battlefield is a harrowing place. Often, the people making the decisions to send our troops into combat do not fully understand the ramifications of their actions. That is why I have been an avid proponent of the Universal National Service Act, which would mandate that all Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 perform two years of national service, so that everyone understands what it really means to serve their country.
We cannot continue to ignore the plight of the American veterans that deserve our gratitude more than any other. Shared sacrifice is paramount. We must not falter in giving back to those who have already given their lives to protect our great nation.
Follow Rep. Charles Rangel on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cbrangel
Our military hasn't been tasked with defending this nation since WW2, and we've been throwing our best into a meat grinder so the rich can get richer, and so politicians can wave the flag and crow about how patriotic and strong on defense they are, while screwing us all.
Enough is enough. America, if you actually give a damn about the troops, and the vets, get your politicians to stop sending our troopers off to die for the 1%, or to steal resources from another country so we can shove another oil pipeline across their land. Make sure that they get better care than some fat arsed pasty politician who has never done diddly to stand up for his country. Make sure that they have a job if they choose to get out of the military, or that they can do their 20-30 and retire with honor and have a home to retire to. They have offered up their blood and souls for this country, and deserve the best in return from it.
No, not every person in the military is a hero, or a saint, despite the jingoism shoved down our throats. But they all offer up the same sacrifice.
Yes, I'm a veteran.
USN AO3, USS Forrestal, CV-59, and USA, Spc, MPI, 351st MP co.
My thoughts would be to make it mandatory for every Congressperson and Senator to have a member of their immediate family have to serve on the front line in a combat zone for any war, skirmish or military action that their vote places our troops in.
After all, it’s mostly the kids of the poor who do the killing and the dying.
So let’s put the rich kids on the battlefield and in the foxholes and start killing a few of them and let’s see what happens.
Of course, a few escape hatches like the National Guard and exemptions for college would have to be closed.
The monetary financial system must be terminated, as the world financial system is in disintegration, Perpetual War has now expanded to directly threaten Russia and China, thermonuclear war is now a reality; the product of the irrational bankrupt Imperialism.
The stabilization of the United States is the only imperative, the only power on earth that can save humanity. Congress must discern the imminent danger, take action to defend the nation and protect the population.
The US national security crisis demands the reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall standard in US banking. Put the Fed into bankruptcy protection, recover the bailout trillions. Create the US National Bank that funds the 50 states, then fund the necessary economy platforms, the redevelopment of North America, as proposed in the NAWAPA plan. This economic recovery measure will employ 6-8 million Americans, reversing our crisis.
Stop Perpetual War, that is war conducted against the United States, leaving us weaker and bankrupt, terminate the Imperial system, or this great nation is doomed.
At 82 y.o. in June, along with his ethics scandals, t's time for him to go.
From Vietnam, we learned you can't "support the troops" without supporting war and the US military.