Veteran’s Day is always hard for me.  It is difficult for me to accept all of the appreciation coming my way for doing my job.  Yes, it is a job, for which as an officer, I was paid quite well.  The other piece of that for me is a bit of survivor’s guilt.  I think I speak for Vets still here to tell the tale; we get a knot in our stomachs [throats] when we think of our comrades who “gave all.”  Most years I go into hiding on Veteran’s Day.  I surface on Facebook, but for the most part I hang out at home.  If I go anywhere it’s to Veteran’s events with other Veterans, where I do not have to smile awkwardly, and say “you’re welcome” to strangers thanking me for my service.  It’s an uncomfortable moment for me, and I don’t particularly like it.  I don’t like it because I over process the veracity of the thank you;  “Are you thanking me because you mean it, or is it like Christmas, when people are kind for two weeks then it’s over until next year?”  Thankfully, it’s mostly my defect and most Veterans appreciate, if only on this one day, Americans recognize the sacrifices they have made to serve this great Nation.

While homelessness among Veterans has been declining since 2009, there are still far too many homeless Veterans.  (http://www.endveteranhomelessness.org/content/steady-decline-homeless-veterans-2009)  Many of these Veterans suffer from hidden wounds of war that keep them from reintegrating into their lives when they return home.  Unemployment rates are still too high.  Today ‘s Washington Post, Brad Plumer’s article about the double digit unemployment rate among post 9/11 Veterans serves as a poignant reminder of the work that needs to be done to help returning Vets. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/11/11/recent-veterans-are-still-experiencing-double-digit-unemployment/)

I am always touched by the pictures of Americans lining the streets and waving flags when fallen Vets return home, but it reminds me that many Vietnam Vets returned home with virtually no fanfare.  Too many Vietnam era vets still carry the scars of returning to an America that largely ignored them.  Vietnam era vets served honorably, and deserved so much better than they got.  I am grateful, while it is a bitter pill to swallow, many Vietnam era Vets are alive to see America can and has done better by this generation of Vets.  While the Nation has done better there is much more to do.  Which leads me back to how this started, are you really grateful for my service?  If you are, then please don’t let your gratitude end today.  I mentioned here two major areas plaguing today’s Veterans; homelessness, and joblessness.  There are other areas where you can help as well and many, many organizations that are geared up to help Vets.  Military.com publishes a list Military Charity Organizations here: (http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/military-charity-associations.html)  Most of the organizations can use donations and volunteers.

I am proud Veteran!  I love America!  I wouldn’t change anything about the 23+ years I served my Nation, but there is a lot I would change about how my brothers and sisters experience their homecoming.  Will you help me help them, after the parades end and the flags are put away?  I sure hope so.

Happy Veteran’s Day 2013!

###