This Wednesday, our nation again sets aside a special day to honor the veterans who have, along with so many in generations before them, sacrificed a portion of their lives in order that all Americans may live in freedom and prosperity.
As we pay our respects to these soldiers, sailors, and airmen who were so often placed in harm’s way, we must be careful to honor them as patriotic individuals and not judge them as political pawns of our nation’s partisan leadership. In recent decades, particularly during the Viet Nam conflict, political agendas have attempted to shamefully taint the image of our nation’s finest young men and women. Whether the veteran’s service was during peacetime, during a time of great political turmoil such as the Viet Nam era, or one of intense patriotism such as in post-9/11, the sacrifice each military member has made deserves recognition and the appreciation of a grateful nation.
Despite the lengthy and intense ongoing military operations in the Middle East, the actual number of veterans, along with the percentage of the population who are veterans, has been shrinking each year. Regardless of anyone’s views on the current Global War on Terrorism, with less than one half of one percent of our population currently serving on active duty in the U.S. military, these newest veterans are carrying quite a disproportionate share of the burden of national defense.
Total numbers of living veterans of all eras is currently 7.6 percent of the population. Only about one in 13 American citizens has ever answered the call to serve. This meager representation is dramatically reflected in the number of elected officials with a lack of military service at all levels of governance. Of our current leaders in Washington D.C., President Obama, Vice President Biden, House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and House Minority Leader Boehner have absolutely zero experience in the military. Senate Minority Leader McConnell claims service in the Army, but it turns out to be one month in Kentucky before he was released.
A minimum of 6 months active duty is required to be considered a veteran. Of the current 15 Cabinet Members directing our nation’s affairs, only two are veterans. Defense Secretary Robert Gates served a brief tour as an Air Force intelligence officer in the 1960s, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki is a highly decorated retired Army four-star general. With such an overwhelming preponderance of our nation’s leaders having such limited experience in, and often even less respect for, the military, it is not surprising that much criticism has been recently levied against the way our Armed Forces are currently being deployed.
Often we think of those veterans who participate in parades and remembrance ceremonies as being old gray-haired men whose service has long been forgotten. This stereotype is rapidly changing as women begin to fill all roles in our modern military. They currently comprise 14 percent of our active duty personnel, and almost 8 percent of all living veterans.
As we pause this coming week to reflect on the sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, we should honor them for their service to our country and to recognize that this day is to honor the individual men and women who have sacrificed so much for this nation. In addition we should further resolve to demand of our leaders that the lives, careers, and dreams of our service personnel be used in the manner intended by our founding fathers — defense of our shores and our borders against all enemies foreign and domestic. So help us God.
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Larry M. Jones is a retired Navy Commander and aviator who raises cattle and hay in the Brock/Lazy Bend part of Parker County. Comments may be directed to nowhearthis@pwhome.com.
