As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many of us are looking forward to a three-day weekend filled with fun activities involving kids’ sports, boating, picnics and backyard barbecues. Sometimes I wonder how often we–including myself—truly give thanks for those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in ensuring and protecting our freedom.
While wars, conflicts and skirmishes are never wanted they have unfortunately been necessary in many instances to provide for and maintain the freedoms we enjoy every day. We don’t have to agree with certain decisions made by our government and some may not understand why volunteered to go into the service. Regardless, we should be thankful for the bravery these men and women have shown in supporting our flag under all circumstances.
In the past month I have been introduced to two gentlemen that work for two different nonprofit organizations: Veterans First and the Cleveland American Veterans Association. Both these organizations share a common goal to provide homeless veterans with a roof over their heads. It is very sad to learn to what extent homelessness exists among our veterans. I’m working with both of these gentlemen to provide Kolbe House as a possible location for their use in meeting this severe need.
I also became aware that many veterans from the Gulf War as well as our latest conflicts suffer from severe head trauma injuries. While the equipment provided soldiers is far superior to equipment in the past in terms of saving lives, they still do not protect against all injuries. If you can imagine a boxer who consistently gets battered in the head, only later in life to find that his ability to accomplish simple tasks is greatly diminished because his brain has been scrambled so often. Soldiers are fighting today to avoid being killed or maimed not only as a result of artillery fire but also as a result of the percussion from nearby explosions that physically rattle their heads causing untold damage which will only come out in later years.
I wanted to share some of the information I learned from these gentlemen as well as my own feelings because despite all the difficulties and ups and downs our country experiences we still live in the greatest country on this planet. I am always acutely aware of this on the occasions I have had the pleasure of traveling overseas. While trips abroad are at times exciting and even intoxicating, I am always thankful to return to the USA. Please remember those who provided the freedoms we all enjoy on this Memorial Day. I wish you and your family a wonderful weekend.
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