Appreciating Veterans Everyday

Political Columnist-Sherry Holliman?

?Why wait for a day to appreciate veterans??A veteran is defined by federal law, moral code and military service as any person who served for any length of time in any military service branch. As veterans' reintegration into civilian life, they should and need to have access to available resources such as job training that builds on to their military knowledge and skills, employment opportunities, affordable housing to prevent homelessness, mental health care, and programs that promote civilian transition.?After sacrificing their lives to serve America, some veterans return home to find themselves suffering from mental health issues, homelessness, and substance abuse.?Social Media, and television is often used to do some good in getting the real word out about different problems concerning veteran's challenges.?But the real problem is how people see this as a small part of everything bad going on in the world, and don’t do anything about it, don’t want to read or listen to it in any depth, and don’t feel any action or involvement on their part will actually do anything anyway. Most people believe “the system will help them or they want to live that way” with this belief how can veterans get assistance. How can this broken system improve living conditions for veterans? One solution may be to support a person running for office that is motivated to be a veteran's advocate that will actually share experiences from veterans themselves and tell them what they plan on accomplishing to help them.?Veterans?need to know that legislators and community leaders understand their?struggles and be offered a solution. Another unfortunate reality of civilized society is the way people let political opinions and beliefs directly affect the way they view and interact with other people. A political belief is often used as grounds and justification for mistreating people and violating their basic human rights. Sometimes the political belief is valid and carries weight, while other times it bias, and petty. The point is that as a culture, there will always be a continuous treatment to allow generational political affiliations the chance to interfere with common sense issues and solutions. Of all people in society, veterans lack the most respect, this is embarrassing and unfortunate for both this nation and the veterans. While you are complaining about the conditions of the veterans, think about how you as private citizens treat these individuals. When you disrespect veterans, you and others are saying that people only have rights when you agree with them. Because as soon as you decide that respect is only to be given when you agree with someone, you are supporting “you.”?This problem is deeply entrenched and highly sensitive, but the solution to the mistreatment of veterans is simple. Rather than wait for the government to initiate changes, you should step in and do your part to treat veterans with respect and care. Helping them get opportunities to thrive in this hostile world. Most of the future generation may never serve in the military. But as the veteran population continues to grow, so do the problems. As a nation the need to stand by veterans and help solve these problems should also grow. If nothing else, simply say thank you. Expressing gratitude to a veteran can make a huge impact on someone who may have never heard the words “thank you” for their service. If you know a veteran or see someone in a military uniform, support them just by saying you appreciate their service. When veterans enlist for a military branch, it is expected they are willing to respond with obedience and will follow the orders they were given with great courage and pride. Yet when they returned home, many veterans are greeted with disrespect. It is easy to understand how veterans might feel overwhelmed, disrespected, and desperate.?Show your veterans appreciation every day with a simple “thank you for serving” and build a network for them to receive the respect and resources they need to thrive in their communities?