Being there has changed my perspective regarding veterans. I have always respected the men and women of our military. But I don't think I've been showing it like one should. They honor our country and we citizens by their great service and sacrifice. We should respect and honor them. They go into the military and train to protect our country and our freedoms and understand they may have to sacrifice their lives. They trust our government to be in the right and don't question it. We should do what we can to ensure they aren't misused, abused or cast aside by our own government. We can do this by paying attention to what the people we elect are doing in Washington D.C. and calling or writing them when we are happy with them and when we are not. It's time to get off the couch, take 10 minutes out of your lunch break, or whenever you can find a few minutes as this is important.
I will never miss another Veteran's Day parade. I will write members of Congress at the first sign they are thinking of closing VA hospitals or cutting veterans' benefits. I am ashamed that the folks on Capital Hill balked at passing a bill to cover the shortfall in the VA budget for health care until there was a bombing in London.
So much for the right wing contention that Cindy is putting our troops in danger or being unpatriotic. You know I remember during the Vitnam war hearing the suits telling the media how "those unwashed, communist, anti-war freaks were destroying this country." Well it turns out those "anti-war freaks" were right and so is Cindy Sheehan and the rest of the people who stand vigil in Crawford as she goes to care for her sick mother. History will recognize Cindy for opening the public's eyes to lies that this administratin has told and she will endure and survive any of their hate filled attacks.
