Situation Normal

Veterans Day is like Christmas: it happens only once a year. Regrettably, it isn’t really like Christmas, with multiple weeks’ ramp-up, endless advertising, and ceaseless promotion. Instead — within a single twenty-four hour span, there are a few five minute Special Reports at the tail end of newscasts, some admirable public displays of honor and respect, the inevitable Veterans Day sales ….

Then it is over; the banks reopen, mail service is resumed, the politicians scuttle back to their offices. The day vanishes like a shout, a cry, a sigh; not even an echo remaining. Everything returns to normal: our veterans ignored, abandoned; their experiences discounted, their knowledge and wisdom disregarded, their years of service dismissed as unimportant, insignificant.

Originating as a commemoration of the end of World War I, Armistice Day, as it was known, was in honor of those who fought “to end all wars.” It isn’t about the battles, but about those with the commitment to go forth in defense of the principles or people they believe to be at risk; the ultimate ideal (and, like all ideals, is a journey) is peace and security. Whatever your stance on war or national policies, those who serve are worthy of our respect. A little-known fact is that a number of our military personnel provide health care and other support services for the people of the regions in which they are stationed. It isn't all about warfare.

What it Means

Our veterans have served — often in extremely dangerous situations and hostile environments — far from home, with few comforts and minimal privacy, limited contact with family, on-call and on-alert 24/7. It is a demanding career (nothing like our “day jobs”) requiring discipline, courage, physical strength and emotional integrity.

After their service is ended, the return to civilian life can be challenging. The loss of structure, changed responsibilities, the absence of familiar camaraderie and shared experiences, the routines of family and work — even the silence of a quiet night — can be like stepping into another world: familiar and yet foreign. To say it is “an adjustment” is an understatement.

Home Again ~ for the first time

The process of adjustment — what is called “reintegration” — can take months or more and may never be complete, depending on the individual and the circumstances. Some carry physical disabilities that will affect them for the rest of their lives, and many cope with PTSD with varying degrees of success.

Tragically, there are some for whom the transition to civilian life is a bridge too far: the walking wounded who self medicate with illicit drugs and alcohol, squatting in homeless encampments, living “wild” in the far country, or eking out an existence on the edges of society. These are our “forgotten men” &(and women); that they have been abandoned on the home front is a national disgrace.

Hidden Heroes

The vast majority of our veterans “reintegrate” successfully, their quiet victories over lingering anxieties and troubling memories unheralded as they cope with challenges and complications in work, education, and family life, participate in religious and community organizations, and simply carry on.

These are our “unsung heroes” who continue to serve in various ways — particularly in the largely unrecognized fact of the strength and integrity they carry with them. Self-confident and courageous, with nothing to “prove,” veterans often bring calm to potentially volatile situations and are far more likely to stop a fight than to start one. They are also, generally, very good at ending one.

All gave some, some gave all; all deserve our respect and support.

Spirit of peace, descend upon us;
God of lovingkindness,
fill our hearts with compassion;
Lord of radiant light,
heal our hurts,
and lead us to eternal joy.
Amen.

The Lord be with you,

Deborah  ✝

Suggested Spiritual Exercises

Pray for all who have served,
and pray for those who have the authority to deploy our troops.

What can you do to help veterans?

Some of our veterans have four legs

Tribute to k9 veterans.

A heartwarming PTSD success story

A wounded warrior and the dog who saved him.

To support our troops

On the services the USO provides to military personnel and their families during deployment and afterwards, go here.