A tribute to our veterans

by Almon “Tiny” Hemore
    All across America and Canada today, a grateful nation will pause to honor the millions of men and women who have so proudly worn the uniforms of freedom and democracy. In communities of all sizes, there will be patriotic parades, stirring speeches and sober remembrances for those who participated in what our leaders have called “the hard work of freedom.” It is entirely fitting on this day that we salute American and Canadian citizen-soldiers who have so bravely answered our nation’s call to arms.
    We salute a generation of Minutemen from the Revolution, a generation of World War I Doughboys, and a generation of World War II G.I. Joes. Today we also salute a generation of the soldiers who fought valiantly along the 38th parallel of Korea, and a generation of boys who became men in the rice paddies and jungles of Vietnam, also, the generation of veterans, the men and women of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
    Wounded Persian Gulf veterans and present conflict veterans serve as a reminder of how truly great the price of freedom can be, and of how truly wonderful are the Americans and Canadians who step forward to pay the price. But even as veterans accept accolades for their past deeds, those same veterans must wonder if our government will remember their sacrifices once the last bomb has fallen and the final gunshot has been heard. Some people today wonder if the government truly wants to address the pressing needs of our aging heroes. Will our government meet its promise to provide medical attention to our returning veterans for the rest of their lives?
    As a veteran, I believe that a veteran deserves more than a medal, a patronizing pat on the back, empty promises and deeper cuts in programs and services. Make no mistakes about it, our nation’s sons and daughters who have fought so courageously – from place to place – don’t want government handouts. All they’ve ever asked is that our government honor its commitment, its commitment to take care of those whose minds and bodies have been shattered by bombs and bullets.
    As we salute our veterans on this eleventh day of the eleventh month, let’s remember with pride their commitment to defend the freedom each of us enjoy on this special day. Calvin Coolidge once noted that no nation ever had an army large enough to guarantee it against attack in time of peace, or insure it victory in time of war. The nation’s guarantors of victory have been the men and women who’ve put on this nation’s uniforms in time of peace and war. The nation’s best and most effective resource, its veteran, deserves this nation’s continued commitment, loyalty and support. May God bless our veterans here and abroad.