Editor,
On Veterans Day, the government gives all of its employees a day off with pay, paid for by taxing the worker. That is a real spendable reward. So as not to appear to be favoring itself, the government makes a law that all private employers must also give their employees a day off with pay, at their own expense, to honor the veteran.
What does the veteran himself actually get just for being a veteran on Veterans Day? Nixon, bupkis, zippo, stugatz. Poorest served is the homeless veteran who peers in through the frosted windows of the fine homes he fought to protect, and hears himself being praised and toasted in state-paid wine. I’d say that’s a lousy way to show honor — but so what?
I hold my being a veteran an honorable thing, but I don’t think anybody owes me anything for it. You’re welcome for the warm welcome home you give me in thanks. It was my pleasure and honor to do it.
I think believing the government should therefore owe me a living forever is pretty close to whatever socialism means. I also think it’s pretty damn good socialism if we all agree there should be programs that make sure there are no homeless veterans.
There has got to be a righteous balance in there somewhere. Like I’ve said, “It takes both the right wing and the left wing to make the Eagle fly.”
If you’d like a combat action close-up of the helicopter war and a serious look at the inner issues and the social issues that the veteran faced in Vietnam and faces now, or to see the roots of the emotional and moral PTSD which so troubles our troops today, I invite your attention to my book, Sacrifices, which was begun in Vietnam and finished some 15 years later, and is still as meaningful and timely as it was back then.
James N. Post
Community member
