Throughout our history, America has been protected by those who cherish liberty and those willing to lay down their lives for her – the American Veteran.
The legacy of America’s Veterans began in 1775 when 13 colonies took up arms in defense of a new nation born from the shared beliefs in freedom, liberty and justice for all. These patriots came from all walks of life, but the dreams of liberty and self-government forged a bond stronger than any steel and a will to persevere over any odds.
Through World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and the many other actions around the globe, America’s resolve has been tested repeatedly. Each time, brave Americans have shouldered the responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor while answering the Nation’s call.
Today’s generation of men and women are fighting for freedom and defeating those who threaten our way of life, with the same honor and dignity of those who came before them – honoring a tradition of service that has no equal.
America’s Veterans have ensured that the United States remains what our founders meant her to be: a beacon of freedom – spreading liberty and justice to the darkest corners of the earth.
Here’s how agencies are honoring America’s Veterans around the federal government and the nation:
- The Government Accountability Office’s blog, WatchBlog, provides a comprehensive list of programs from the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs to help post-9/11 Service members and Veterans during their transition to civilian life.
A grief-stricken American infantryman, whose buddy has been killed in action, is comforted by another soldier. In the background, a corpsman methodically fills out casualty tags, Haktong-ni area, South Korea. Aug. 28, 1950.
- The Government Printing Office highlights a few military and Veteran publications such as the Veterans Benefits Book (available for free at VA.gov) and the Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces, among others.
- The Library of Congress offers a treasure trove of Veteran history. You can get personally involved by recording a Veteran’s story. For more information, visit the Veterans History Project. They also take a look back at the war to end all wars – World War I.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation lists nine technical and community colleges across the country that will train returning military veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers with funding provided through its Commercial Motor Vehicle – Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.
A Navy jet flies cover for Service members on the ground in Vietnam.
- The Social Security Administration looks at how Social Security may expedite the processing of Veteran disability claims. Here you will find the information that wounded warriors and Veterans who have a compensation rating of 100 percent should know about Social Security.
- The IRS offers tax information specifically to Veterans.
- In addition to free admission to America’s parks, the National Park Service is honoring their Veterans with service photos.
- The Smithsonian looks at a variety of animals that have helped America’s military members succeed over the years. While there, check out their exhibit “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” and “The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem.”
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service honors its Veterans, front and center, on its homepage.
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RIDING MY WAY BACK is a movie about a veteran who came back from Iraq and Afghanistan very close to committing suicideuntil he got hooked up with an organization involving horsemanship. Through learning about horses and horsemanship he turned his anger his hurt and PTSD into love and HOPE. As “Hollywood” as this may sound, it is a true story! My brothers and my sisters please try to see this movie. Before I even saw this movie I became involved with an organization called Horses with Heart. please believe me, the organization has turned my life around in just a few months! Secretary McDonald, anyone in the VA administration that looks at these blogs check into this movie!!please check into helping veterans with PTSD get hooked up with a program similar to this! These programs work I am here to tell anyone who will listen how great these programs can be!
Good evening! Thank you on this belated Veterans’ Day. I spent the day with my family and we just sort of talked about what it was for my father to have been a Vietnam Veteran. I just wanted to thank everyone else and their families for their sacrifice and service. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Please sign petition for VA to provide complete dental care for all veterans enrolled in VA Health Care http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/comprehensive-outpatient Without such dental care availability VA can never be considered world-class. VDIP and Congressional pending bill do not solve the problem and contain too many limitations especially for an aging population of veterans. Please help our heroes!
How can I sign if I do not know the cost. When you have a problem with the VA treatment of anything and the elibibility,remember that the cost is too much to treat every VET.You can also ask different VA Departments about what may happen if you are refered to an outside source of any type for anything,this includes agencies that may have no cost DENTAL for bad dental problems.
BLAH BLAH, BLAH BLAH!!!!! I LOVE my country, but have little good to say about the government! Is that the Indian or the veteran talking? who cares, both have been mistreated and abused by the government! Especially on this day, may God bless our troops, God bless our Veterans, & please, God bless America! HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY BROTHERS & SISTERS!!!!
Many things are wrong with the system.Why don’t you go to a legislative meeting at some level and make an impact.
I am a vet and I think it is terrible when our vets come home and are not cared for in a proper manner. When you see adds begging for money to support them. I am a handyman and will do anything to help when they are in need,
Terry, several years ago attended a legislative mtg in Sacramento. Immediately after stating that I was a Disabled Native American Veteran with little faith in the government, I was approached by 2 men in suits & shades & escorted out of the bld. NEVER AGAIN! !