Randy E. Richmond

… AND SO IT BEGINS/ENDS

Our local news channel, for the past several weeks has been airing a nightly ‘military salute.’ One area serviceman/woman has been recognized and honored each evening. God bless the station for this patriotic gesture!

Tonight I listened to our news anchor, Ron Steele, introduce today’s segment as the last of these. Sadly this is going to be replayed by a great many television stations across the land in the coming days and weeks. This is of course understood and reflects the reality that these folks are there to report the news and that this particular area of the news, albeit of the human interest sort, is becoming yesterday’s story.

It’s also, in small part, indicative of the ‘ebb and flow’ brand of patriotism that’s become the norm for America. Please don’t mistake any of this to mean that I believe television, other media, or any particular group of folk is being unpatriotic or insensitive. As a matter of fact, during times of war or threat, America comes together with such resolve and support that it makes this chest again swell with pride!

It is the periods between the wars I’m speaking of. The times when flags come down, window dressings disappear, blue star banners are placed into keepsake boxes, and the yellow ribbons are broken by the tree’s growth; a time when new veterans of these wars enter the black hole of these dark periods. It can be an extremely scary and real transition. Going from “welcome home”, “thank you”, claps on the back, and promises to a world of red tape, denials, inadequate care for those who will require it, and a “hey, it’s finished… get over it” mentality.

They will come home of course feeling, and rightly so, like they left a job well done. They will also bring with them the knowledge that billions upon billions of dollars will be spent to help rebuild that nation. This in addition to the sacrifices they and their comrades who paid the ultimate price have already contributed. A great many will blend back into their civilian life and live without ever needing or asking for anything more than the occasional ‘thanks’ or ‘hey, way to go!”

Then there are those who will sooner or later require some sort of assistance. It may be for help in dealing with demons, an injury or an illness associated with their service that has finally become too painful to ignore, or another that won’t present itself for some time… sound familiar? My point is that when these needs arise, if things progress historically, they will be met at many turns by brick walls and obstacles… that’s a fact to which thousands can testify.

I’m rambling a bit when it was only my intention to ask how can all those folks in Washington sign off so easily on the billions to rebuild nations then balk, hem-haw, and just plain shortchange the veterans of wars past?

It can end… but will it?? One thing we could all do is to level out the ‘peaks and valleys’ patriotism. Flags CAN be flown during time of peace and a thank you, welcome home, or a “let’s see what we can do” can help light those black holes between the wars… they’re real!

Hey Ron, what do you think about having a nightly ‘veteran who’s had problems with the V.A.’ segment? (Kidding of course… Hell’s not frozen over yet!) I’ve enjoyed many years of your news in the comfort of my living room.