2014 is behind us and I personally look forward to 2015. Health wise I have had better years. Through the prayers and support of family and friends, I have hopefully weathered the storm.
On December 9, the Naperville VFW and American Legion did our monthly visit to the Hines Spinal Cord Unit. We had 26 members and friends visit the Veterans. We sang Christmas carols, gave the Veterans cards, favors and some Army Green which they appreciated. By the way, none of us will ever make it to American Idol.
The point of this mention is that no matter how bad I think I have it, there is always someone who is suffering as much or more than I am. All the Veterans had a smile on their faces when we left their rooms. I was particularly touched by the two Special Forces Veterans that I visited. One was in Vietnam and the same area around the time I was there. We talked about the locations we were both familiar with and the crazy things that happened there. The other was an Iraqi/Afghanistan Veteran who was deployed seven times and was wounded four times. When I left their rooms, I was the one who had tears in my eyes.
Now that the November elections are over we can’t let the politicians forget the Veterans. They can’t continue to kick the can down the road. The oath we take when we enter the service is to defend the Constitution up to and including giving our lives. For that commitment we both expect and deserve the best care to not only treat the physical wounds but those wounds that are hidden in the dark recesses of our psyche. Sometimes they are the hardest to heal.
Personally, I have made a commitment in 2015 to continue to help Veterans and their families even more. For all you Veterans and family members who read this column, know that you can reach out to me and I will do everything in my power to help you.
I try to live up to the Army Ranger motto, “Never shall I fail my comrades.”
