We need To Honor Veterans Daily

Now that the elections are over we need to put our differences aside and concern ourselves with our country’s welfare.  Let’s give veterans their due.  Unfortunately on Veterans Day, newspapers are full of the best deals of the day and most people who take advantage of Veterans Days sales may not be veterans. We should have a special price sale for the veterans only! With so many veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder or with physical harm such as brain injury, called Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They can’t afford the shopping deals. Veterans have physical handicaps - broken bones, backs, and amputees.  Family breakups while suicides are all-too frequent, yes veterans suffer greatly!

My wife, a 25-year physician at one of the big VA hospitals, tells me of the hardships the veteran’s experience. From the 18-year-olds to her oldest patients, some veterans date back to earlier wars and joined by recent returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan.  All come with requests to be helped, healed and recognized for their contribution to our great and glorious country.  Do we do enough?

It was in honor of war veterans that on Nov. 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed an Armistice Day. By 1953 Public schools supported closing their doors on Nov. 11 to honor veterans. It was President Dwight Eisenhower who signed it into law on May 26, 1954.

Think for a moment, what we can give back to the veterans who have fought and are still fighting personal battles and war injuries. Their challenges are constant and very heartbreaking.

I think we should make our homes open to veterans by offering them support, both emotionally and financially. My wife and I honor our Sabbath table with veterans. At times our Sabbath meal is surrounded by veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Middle East conflicts. Our oldest member is 88; our youngest is in his 30s.  What brings us all together is recognizing their contributions to guarantee freedom.

One of my colleagues, Allen Gralnik, a retired lieutenant of the United States Naval Reserve, says, "Freedom is not free; someone in the past has paid for it." As a cancer survivor he, too, keeps on giving. Every month he visits an Alzheimer's unit, bringing hope and solace to patients.

So this Veterans Day make a commitment and bring some meaning into Veterans Day.  You can do so by Adding kindness to the world.  Do something spiritual. Join a house of worship or extend a helping hand to someone who has less than you. You don't have to a veteran to be a caring person. Remember the sacrifices made for you and the world by the veterans of all wars. 

Every day is Veterans Day for veterans.