| A Veteran's thoughts about Veterans Day |
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| A message from the Veterans' Program Coordinator |
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Jim Booker when he was a B-52 Navigator
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Veterans Day 2009
Veterans Day is a day to remember our service members; those who have paid with their lives, those who are wounded, and those still with us. We need to remember because we have always needed men and women who are willing to protect our freedom.
Each of our veterans has made sacrifices. Just leaving home, enduring boot camp and completing the training needed to function as a service member puts one to the test. Add to that the stress families go through as men and women practice an inherently dangerous profession and then go to war. It’s a lot to bear. Yet we do it and we do it with pride. There is something about being a part of a group, a force that makes a difference, something that benefits an entire nation.
Yes, I remember. My friend Ron was severely injured in Viet Nam. After being wounded, Ron didn’t quit living, he took what he had and used it to make the most of life. Ron decided to serve his fellow veterans by generously giving his time, money, and energy to making sure all veterans get the benefits they deserve. He wants them to know that they too can succeed. I think one of my favorite stories about Ron was when he was talking to a group of recently wounded veterans. One of the young men stood up and said that Ron didn’t understand the pain they were going through, how tough it was to start over again. Ron pulled his artificial leg off and showed it to the young man. Ron told him he did understand and that with the help of the doctors, fellow veterans and your family, one can not only survive, but make a real difference in peoples lives. I don’t know what happened to the young veteran, but I know Ron’s demonstration made me want to work all the harder to help veterans.
Remember our veterans, they are members of our families; they are our neighbors, the person who picks up your trash, the doctor who treats your kids, the cable installer. Veterans are everywhere still protecting us, still dying for us in Iraq, Afghanistan and unfortunately, at a base in Texas. The next time you see a veteran, just say "Thanks for your service." I do.
Jim Booker
State Veterans' Program Coordinator
Click here for Veterans Day Page on the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs site.
Click here for a list of Veterans Day Events around the state.
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