Memorials are Nice, But...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (KS-03) introduced bipartisan legislation on Tuesday authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The revenue gained from the new coin would help fund a national memorial honoring those veterans.

“More and more of our brave men and women are returning home with injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives,” Moore said. “We can never fully communicate our gratitude for the service and sacrifice that our servicemen and women have made for our country, but this memorial is an important step.”

Moore introduced the bill, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act, along with Republican Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10) and with the endorsement of the Disabled Veterans LIFE Memorial Foundation.

Sergeant Bryan Anderson, a triple amputee Iraq veteran and advocate for the memorial, joined Moore and Kirk in announcing the introduction of this legislation. Anderson, who was recently featured in Esquire Magazine, spoke about his recovery effort and his vision for a national memorial to honor other permanently disabled American veterans.

“While Sgt Bryan Anderson lost both legs and an arm in combat, his spirit is strong,” said Congressman Kirk. “He has become a living symbol of the need to finish a memorial for the 3 million Americans who are disabled veterans.”

Commanding an impressive two-acre site within full view of the U.S. Capitol, the Memorial will be located adjacent to the National Mall, and across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Botanic Garden, at Washington Avenue (Canal Street) and Second Street, SW. It will be the nation's first physical tribute specifically honoring America's three million living disabled veterans and the countless thousands who have since died. More information regarding the memorial can be found at www.avdlm.com.


Memorials are nice and I believe that Congressman Moore has the best interests of the veterans at heart. But I'm sure what disabled veterans would like most is more funding directed at healing their wounds (mental and physical), as well as vocational funding to help find these veterans careers.
I saw a story yesterday about a man who gave a veteran who had both of his legs blown off in a car bombing in Iraq, a fast food franchise. Before the donation, the veteran said he had no idea what he would do with his life.

The Ties That Bind

Common Ties, a weblog dedicated to bringing personal stories to life, posted one of my essays on my brother, Steve, this morning.
View it at: http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/

They are posting war stories this week. Today (Monday) is dedicated to the Vietnam War.
To view more,
http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/war-stories-on-common-ties/

Peace.

NPR Focuses on Post Traumatic Stress

NPR recently did a report on PTSD:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6576505

Very interesting and very sad to read the things my brother experienced in the Vietnam era, as well as things I wrote about Jeff Lucey in my book are still happening.

Bad News

The thing about losing someone as a result of war is that you never view any war the same ever again. It might have taken 30 years for my brother to die, but everyone who knew him knows what killed him. My husband is an action/adventure movie fan and it used to be the war movies he watched never bothered me. The thing is, I haven't been able to watch a movie about war since January 2001 when I found out Steve had died. Although my husband also loved my brother, I know he sometimes cannot understand my reaction to war or anything war related.
My head tells me there are certain wars that have to be fought, but Iraq was not one of them. As we were sitting down to dinner yesterday, a military recruitment ad came on the television. It was one of those ads where the kids is trying to convince his parent that the Army would be a good move for his future. "Log onto to *** and we'll give you the information you need."
I couldn't help but go into a tirade: "And we'll send them home to you in a body bag, if not immediately, then we'll make sure their lives are screwed up forever." I asked my husband, "What parent in their right mind would send their kid into the military right now?
He didn't have an answer for me. I know that like my parents, who thought they were doing the best thing for Steve, giving him an opportunity for training and possibly an education, there are no good answers.