Memorial Day is Monday, and as the veterans reading here know, Memorial Day is to remember the fallen of America’s wars. Veterans Day, on Nov. 11, is to honor the veterans still with us.
Memorial Day got started soon after the Civil War and was initially referred to as Decoration Day, and the custom was to visit and “decorate” the graves of loved ones and others who had sacrificed their lives in that great struggle.
When World War I ended, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month (November) 1918, the shattered families of British (to include Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders) and French soldiers who perished in the Great War, chose the armistice day anniversary as their Remembrance Day. Since the U.S. already observed our Memorial Day in May, the idea to celebrate a day for living veterans on that armistice anniversary date came about to the eternal confusion of generations to follow.
In addition to whatever local ceremonies I am able to attend on Memorial Day weekend, I always try to catch the National Memorial Day Concert on the PBS station. It is usually a great program of music, remembrance, and rededication. Thankfully, so far, it has not become politicized, and it appears the frequent recurring hosts Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump) and actor Joe Mantegna are on board for Sunday, May 29 this year. Remember the fallen and those still missing and may they all rest in peace.
Burn Pits - Good News!
Two items of good news, if that term can be applied to chronic, debilitating, and sometimes fatal illnesses: first, of its own volition, the VA has added nine rare cancers to the list of preemptive diseases associated with burn pits. These are Squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and trachea; Adenocarcinoma of the trachea; Salivary glandtype tumors of the trachea and lung; Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung; Large cell carcinoma of the lung; Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung; and typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.
Second, the grand PACT act for the treatment and compensation of a wide spectrum of toxic exposure illnesses should be passed into law soon.
June is National PTSD Awareness Month
According to the VA, about 11-20% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year; about 12% of the Gulf War veterans have PTSD in any given year; and, about
30% of Vietnam Veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD during their lifetime. I consider myself very fortunate that I cannot speak on this malady from experience, but I urge any of our veteran brothers and sisters who think they experience PTSD, to please get help. For more information, go to www. ptsd.va.gov/
Resource Fair
Finally, don’t forget the Veterans Resource Fair at the Kissimmee Civic Center on June 11th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Mercy Foundation hosting the fair will be providing food, clothing, shelter, and jobs to local veterans in need.
