By Debbie Gregory.
This Monday, November 11th we celebrate Veteran’s Day. I am the proud daughter of a Veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice and served with seven of his brothers.
I believe that the word “Veteran” needs to be expanded to celebrate all the men and women who serve, past and present, every day of the year in all the uniformed services. They make incredible sacrifices so that the rest of us can live and prosper. They are true patriots and write a blank check up to and including their lives.
Those that sacrifice so much include every man and woman who has served or is serving in our Armed Forces and Uniformed Services. These include members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps. Our United States military men and women operate in more than 10 countries too.
We must also honor our citizen soldiers who serve in the United States National Guard and Reserves and deserve to be honored as much as our active duty and Veterans.
Many people don’t know that those who serve in the National Guard and Reserves can and do dual duty. They usually work in a civilian job and can be called upon in their home states, but they are also activated and deployed overseas to the Middle East and other countries.
A huge percentage of our currently deployed military are members of the National Guard and Reserves. These citizen soldiers and their loved ones don’t have the full support system that is provided to regular military stationed on military bases. Being citizen soldiers, they also face huge financial challenges to serve and are often underemployed.
On this Veterans’ Day, we need to include everyone and think of ways we can do better by them. Many are not receiving proper healthcare or must wait too long for it. Wellness, especially mental wellness, must be a priority especially with so many Veterans committing suicide. One size does not fit all when it comes to solutions. We need to work together to find solutions for everyone and dedicate ourselves to those doing more for who have sacrificed so much for us.
On Monday, November 11th and every day, think of doing a small random act of kindness that can make a huge difference. It can be as simple as volunteering at a Veterans home or doing some “honey do” things for the spouses of deployed Veterans or helping coach or tutor their kids. It might involve donating money or goods to a Veteran charity, driving a Veteran, or just telling a cashier that you want to pick up a Veteran’s tab. We are losing almost 2,000 Veterans a day from “the Greatest Generation” and preserving and listening to their stories and memories is part of our history. You might find that supporting those who serve enriches your life too.
Be there for those who serve and have served because they are and have been there for all of us. Never forget them and remember, there is more that unites us as Americans than divides us.
Debbie Gregory
CEO – VAMBOA, Veteran and Military Business Owners Association
Vice-President & Producer, “America Salutes You”, a nationally televised annual concert
Director of Employer Engagement, California ESGR
