Honoring Our Veterans And Their Families
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and some of our brave men and women who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq who are recovering there. It was an honor to meet these soldiers, their families, and the men and women who are caring for them. It was also a reminder that even as we hear encouraging reports from the battlefield, the fight continues.
Most of the men I met were injured in Iraq, one in Afghanistan. Nearly all of them were joined by family at Walter Reed. The recovery process is obviously most difficult for the injured, but it can weigh heavily on family too. One soldier I met was with his wife. His walls were covered by photos of their three young boys, playing and dressed up for Halloween. It goes without saying that that mom and dad would have much rather been at home with their sons, celebrating the rituals of fall, than at Walter Reed. There are countless families like this one, making sacrifices many of us cannot imagine. These families deserve and need the support of all Americans.
Taking care of our veterans and their families must be the top priority of our government, and there are many private organizations reaching out to these families as well. Patti Patton-Bader, a Pasadena resident, founded Soldiers' Angels in 2003. Ms. Bader has two sons who have served in Iraq and she simply wanted to offer comfort and support to all our troops. Her efforts are still going strong and she has received multiple honors for her work. Groups like the Soldiers’ Angels and the Wounded Warriors Project generate grass roots support for our military families. They organize activities ranging from financial support to the writing of cards and letters to wounded soldiers.
A great place to find some of the many ways to help our troops and their families is www.americasupportsyou.mil, a web site dedicated to the support of our military on the battlefield and here at home. There you will find information about organizations like Sew Much Comfort, a group that provides adaptive clothing free of charge to wounded troops. It’s really awe inspiring to see how Americans have found so many ways to help. Perhaps you have a talent or interest that could help our military families. Perhaps you want to just say thank you. Please don’t hesitate to do so. This Veteran’s Day, and this holiday season, let our military families know just how much we value them and appreciate their sacrifices.
