VETS’ CORNER: The luxury of complaint
BY Ron Verini
Friday, August 28, 2009 12:03 PM PDT
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| Jeff Koterba cartoon for 8/26/09
"Social Security" |
A few weeks back, in the first day of taking over convoy security in Iraq, the Oregon Army National Guard had its first casualty in the latest deployment of the 41st Infantry Combat Brigade Team: Spc. Jeremy Pierce, 22 years old from Salem.
An IED ripped through his vehicle, and, as a result, he lost his left leg and all his toes on his right foot and a finger, not to mention the trauma he will have the rest of his life.
Every day in our community, even as we celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy, we sit back and complain about coffee that’s too hot, weeds that are too high, the inconveniences of visiting a veteran in need or many of the small things in life, such as a hang nail or the long wait in a grocery line. Remember, we have the luxury of these complaints because of the military and sacrifices of many. This hero is one of many that knew what he was getting into, but it should not lessen our responsibility of helping our veterans and families.
Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home.
A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront, just like our grass roots Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida, has grown because of a need in the military community.
The missions might be a little different, but the needs are great. Operation Backpack, a program from Operation Homefront, sent 32 backpacks filled with school supplies to Kelly Jones, our coordinator of the Family Support Group of the 116th Army National Guard, Charley Company, who distributed them to military children in our community that needed an extra boost.
Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida is looking for a dentist that will provide dentures to help a veteran in need. Teeth are being pulled by a government dentist, but the government will not supply dentures. Please call (541) 881-8881 or e-mail to help@veteranadvocates.org if you can help. This is a special case, so we need a special dentist to step up and lend a hand.
We are also compiling a list of service providers in the community that might be able to help veterans with a discount or provide services to assist military families in need.
If you wish to participate in this program, please call or e-mail so we might include you in our database.
Services are not limited to professional occupations, so think outside the box with what you have to offer our military.
Support the businesses that support veterans. Mid-Valley Construction/StoneRidge Homes, Calibur Graphics, Blue Sky Sportswear and Holy Rosary Medical Center are just a few that have helped in the last week alone. Add your name to the growing list of veteran-friendly friends.
“It is better to be alone than be in bad company.” — George Washington.
Ronald Verini is a local veterans advocate who writes a weekly column for the Argus Observer. He can be contacted at (541) 881-8881, pencilsforpeace@q.com, or P.O. Box 933, Ontario, OR 97914. The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily represent those of the Argus Observer
