PURPOSE OF MEMORIAL DAY AND OUR COUNTRY’S  RESPONSE TO OUR VETERANS

I am the new editor for Latino Veteran affairs, addressing  related issues, as well as your new Latino Veterans columnist. I’ve been a long-time resident of Buffalo, NY, and a member of the Buffalo Latino Veterans. I write this column on their behalf, and on behalf of all Puerto Rican/Latino Veterans. I hope I do you guys proud. Here is my column:

The country recently celebrated the Memorial Day, honoring our fallen military heroes and those who have served and are serving our country today. Unfortunately – to many – Memorial Day is just another day off, a long weekend to enjoy a family barbecue. On the bright spot, we do have some communities that do honor our fallen heroes with a parade down main street. I wish there were more!

As a Vietnam era veteran, I can remember when it was not popular to be serving in the military.  It was a time where our country was in real turmoil.  Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were assassinated.  The civil rights and anti-war movement were at its highest peak. Military members or soldiers were called baby killers and warmongers.

Whenever I went on leave, I made it a point to use a student ID card to fly as a student, and in that way, I didn’t have to wear my military uniform.  Looking back, this was not an honorable decision, since both my older brothers served one year in Nam.

Many of our soldiers who were discharged back to society, coming back home, were discharged without any mental preparation to deal with the after-effects of participating in a war where they experienced  or watched their buddies get severely maimed or die in their arms. Many resorted to drugs and alcohol. Many were also diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome known as PTSD.

Today our Veterans are greeted warmly and appreciated for their service. At the Yankees games, at the bottom of the 7th inning, “God bless America” is played and a Veteran from various wars is brought down onto the field and recognized for their service to their country.

PTSD, drug and alcohol problems are now addressed with less of a stigma than in the past. Mental health issues are being taken seriously as the suicide rate of our Veterans have reached an all-time high.  Joining the national guard was kind of frowned upon and labeled weekend warriors in the past.  Presently the guard serves a valuable role as they are also deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the world to provide military support. I have two nephews who have joined both the army and marines and will probably be deployed soon.

Taking the time to honor and recognize our fallen military heroes, and to acknowledge our Veterans and present military members, is important, It is what gave us our freedom – things that we take for granted.   Coming from a family that has served in the Army, Marines, and Air force, Memorial Day is special to me and my family. As It should be to all Americans.