It's hard to top Abraham Lincoln, complained American humorist Kurt Vonnegut, who once referred to the nation's 16th President as its Poet President.
In his brief second inaugural address, it is unsurprisingly Lincoln who laid the groundwork to our veterans system, calling on the nation "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and for his orphan."
On April 1, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa reminded everyone of Abe's admonition during a brief ceremony honoring veterans. April is National County Government Month, and the County kicked things off by drawing attention to the veterans returning from wars on two different fronts. "Many who do return will carry scars and haunting memories from many tours of duty," he noted, yet "we forget the veteran."
Judge Edward Smith, himself the recipient of a bronze star after a tour in Iraq, warned that for some, the usual positive change of military service can be detrimental. "They come back broken in body, broken in spirit and broken in mind. Oftentimes, suicides, family break-ups, drug and alcohol addictions, mental health issues are a result of their service, and a direct result of their service." Smith stressed that federal, state and county resources are needed to address this issue. "How we treat our veterans is, as Mr. Stoffa said, a reflection on us."
David Graf, who directs the County Office of Veterans Affairs, is available to help vets with their mountains of paperwork. He provides fresh flags and markers at grave sites every Memorial Day, a $100 burial allowance and copies of discharge papers.
Ken Kraft, a Painters' union business agent running for County Council, briefly described the "Helmets to Hardhats" program, which has placed 3,000 veterans in construction industry careers over the last two years alone.
But most amazing of all is the work done by the Gilbert family's "Sing for America" and Dottie Niklos' Blue Star Mothers. The Gilberts, the children of Northampton County Council member Bruce Gilbert, raise money by performing at different events. Dottie has been able to use the proceeds for "fun things" with the children, like Christmas parties. "[W]e also do a lot that isn't a whole lot of fun, but it gets the job done."
Thanks to money raised by the Gilberts, Blue Star Mothers were able to buy an orthopedic mattress for a wounded warrior who was sleeping on the floor. They fixed the pipes of one military family and restored oil service after they ran out of fuel and their pipes burst. They put 10 military families into apartments after they were unable to come up with security. "We'll be there to help them," Niklos stated. "That's how we get our support - by supporting others."
Despite a rare Northampton County attempt to draw public attention to the needs of veterans, not one daily newspaper could be bothered to send anyone to cover the event. They'll wait 'till a vet kills someone, and then ask, "Why?"
13 comments:
You hit the nail on the head. They only care about Vets when they do something that sells their paper. I think the stories get written, but then they get buried as boring. Maybe if Kate Gosselin were to adopt a vet, or the cast of Jersey Shore were taken hostage by one.
That they would write about.
Here's a show I bet they'd love, "Real housewives of Vets with PTSD."
Maybe they would cover that.
Let's see. A county exec, judge, four or five members of Council, the Controller, several candidates for office, numerous veterans, a singing group, a brief meeting about a need to make vets aware that people will help them, and no press to cover it, except for one bottom-feeding blogger.
I understand that papers need to make money, but they also have an obligation to inform the public, and on this point, they failed.
Did someone get to tell Gilbert how much county tax money the county collects. Since he had no idea two weeks ago. So much for fiscal knowledge.
I applaud the singing and think he should stick to that, its what he knows best.
Thank You Bernie, From all of us here in the Lehigh Valley who have served. It will be the Military Veterans of this Great Land that will bring back the sensibility to our lives, and adherence to U.S. Constitution.
They will lead the way. Most of today's civilians have forgotten, unfortunately, why this Country was founded, and how.
Paul J. Fiske
Founding Director/Administrator
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Assistance Center
Speaking of honoring Vets, your love interest, Charlie Dent, just voted against the mortgage relief bill for Vets. Gotta love this guy!
Charlie Dent has overwhelmingly supported the veteran and his families. The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), which is NOT veteran-specific, has largely been a colossal waste of money and a failure. I would support a program to help people stay in their homes, but would prefer to see one that works.
Not talking about HAMP talking about the program to try to keep veterans from becoming homeless and Charlie Dent voted AGAINST it. He toes the party line VERY closely.
Everyone relies on either you or Ron Angle to let the press know what is going on...Why didn't you make the call???
Thanks for mentioning the Helmets to HardHats Program... At least someone might run the story now!
This was a wonderful, uplifting program that should have been covered by the electronic and print media. They were probably too busy covering the frightening April snow storm that didn't happen, or more teachers getting laid off.
Ken, Just so you know, I saw numerous "Helmets to Hardhats" flyers on the desk today. Good points.
11:31, I believe that reporting a story like this might get the word out to some vets that they are not alone.
Last week, on NPR, there was an extended story about an Iraq vet who had taken guns and was acting all crazy. He went nto a convenience store and shouted to a patron, "Do you want to die?" Then he sped off.
Police caught up with him in a field somewhere and went thru a 5-hour standoff. The female police officer, interviewed on NPR, broke down in tears as she described how she tried everything to reach this troubled vet.
Eventually, a trooper shot the vet with a tazer and she walked up to the vet reached down, and touched his face. She said she waned him to know that people care.
For this vet, he is now getting help, the charges are on hold, and he was interviewed and claimed he felt at the time that he should not be home. He should die, like some of his friends.
We need to reach vets BEFORE those 5-hour standoffs, which may not always end happily.
This is unfortunate. But HEY. We get that weekly intrest story about the Sands. Usually found on Page 1 and page 2 of the 3 page local section.
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