Respect and Honor Our Wounded Warriors

Jim Harbison

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, evidence abounds that freedom has always had a price. Veterans have always paid that price. Look around. You will see men and women, both in and out of uniform, who answered the Nation's call, held service above self, and put themselves in harm's way for each of us. Some are missing limbs. Some bear less obvious wounds that have seared their souls. All have earned our abiding respect and our collective gratitude. All have earned whatever care we can provide to help them return to society.

Unfortunately, politics has intruded on the graciousness of the American public. Cynical ideologues who opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last debt ceiling debate pushed a moral equivalent between the Defense budget and all other budget line items. Really? Politicians fail to appreciate that soldiers do not choose where and when they sacrifice, but, the public understands. The decision to send our military into harm’s way is not made by generals and admirals but by Congress and the President. Those in the military are truly public servants and do not have a voice in choosing the wars in which they fight. And, unlike their civilian counterparts, soldiers, sailors and airmen cannot simply quit their jobs, resign, or decline the assignment.

Many military members are now returning home with devastating injuries, some suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The failure of the Senate to enact a budget for the last three years will force draconian cuts to the Military Services and to the Veterans Administration. These cuts will adversely impact the medical care to those who most deserve the honor of a grateful Nation. Read rest of column here: News New Mexico

Respect and Honor Our Wounded Warriors