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Veterans Day not only day to remember heroes
"Thank you for your service" has become a reasonably popular response whenever a person is identified as one of America's men and women of the Armed Services.
While certainly a nice gesture, yes, but hardly enough, suggests Maj. Jim Staggers, who delivered the Veterans Day address Tuesday morning on the south side of the Putnam County Courthouse.
"Don't just say 'thank you' to our veterans, show it," urged Staggers, commander of Greencastle VFW Post 1550, and deputy state chaplain for the Indiana National Guard. "Let your words bring forth action. Think of their service and their sacrifice."
Before the traditional 21-gun salute by the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard rang out to culminate the annual Veterans Day ceremony, Staggers suggested that those in attendance consider a trio of ideas.
"If you walk away remembering three things," he said, "you will understand what our veterans do for this nation and what we can do to help them.
"First," he said, "our soldiers, our veterans, are soldiers for life. During their careers and their lives, and you can see this throughout history. They continue to improve their skills, ensuring they remain strong for themselves, their families, their communities and their nation.
"Second, the Army is committed to lifelong success for our soldiers, veterans and their families by connecting them with opportunities for employment, education and healthcare post military service.
"And finally," Staggers said, "we can't do this alone. Supporting our soldiers and Army veterans requires a team approach by the Army, other government agencies, and the local community."
It was the local community, in fact, that drew additional praise from the speaker, a Greencastle man who has served three tours of duty in Afghanistan.
"Very few of our veterans go without (military) honors if they so desire," he said, pointing to and praising the Honor Guard behind him, members of whom readily participate whenever called to duty at the funeral of a fallen comrade in arms.
"The Army may occasionally drop the ball on sending someone to fold the flag," Staggers offered, "but not these men. It says a lot about duty. Not only duty of prior service but to community."
The speaker said Americans, like those assembled on the south side of the Putnam County Courthouse Tuesday morning, come out to honor the service of the American men and women who protect our freedoms.
"We know they deserve so much more," he stressed.
Staggers related a story that illustrates the community support he addressed.
Monday night, Staggers said, he and chaplain's staff spent hours trying "to assure a veteran would not be spending Veterans Day living in his car."
"Our community and churches came together," he said, "faster than our government did. That says a lot for our community."
One of the local churches even gave Staggers a $100 bill to present to the soldier in need.
"He refused to take it," the chaplain said, explaining he had to pull rank on the soldier and essentially order him to accept the donation and put the money in his pocket.
Accepting it under protest, the needy soldier assured, "there are others that are worse off than him," Staggers said.
Soldiers and veterans don't see themselves as special, Staggers added. "They just say they were 'doing their job.'"
And for Americans, that job now is to spread the word, he said.
"If you know of an organization that wants to help veterans, encourage them to register with the National Resource Directory so wounded, ill and injured service members and their families can access information about the services you provide."
Or volunteer in your community, he suggested.
"Get involved with local organizations in your hometown to make a difference in the lives of wounded warriors and their families," Staggers stressed. "I encourage you to see the strength of our veterans and their families and look for ways help them."