Commitment is it time?
As defined in Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary: Commitment ke mit-ment n (1621) 1 an act of committing to a charge or trust: 2 a: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; esp: an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date b: something pledged c: the state of being obligated or emotionally impelled (a commitment to a cause).
As I am involved with veterans organizations, I often ask those I come in contact with if they are a veteran and, if so, are they members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans or any other veterans group? Many times there are those that are not members and I ask if they would like to join. Most of the younger veterans often blow me off and give a comment as to what do these organizations have to offer? As the conversation continues they generally move on and say they have no interest or the time. Those that are members, I usually say I have not seen you at a meeting. The normal response is, I forgot, I do not have the time, I work late, yada, yada, yada.
Now, whatever the circumstances that may have obligated you to your military service, it was a commitment to the United States of America, to protect the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. The rest of the words are a blur to me, but those words ring true to me to this very day. I know to those of you who served your country proudly you feel the same thing. I know there are some who got a raw deal for that I am sorry. The Greatest Generation is dying off every day and next will be the veterans of the forgotten Korean War. The Vietnam veterans (they will be next) were treated with disrespect for only serving the country in time of need. All these veterans were either drafted or volunteered, so that means the rest of us (the draft ended in 1972) volunteered to protect and preserve what is most precious, the good ol U.S. of A.
At the time of our swearing in, we raised our right hands, committed to do the very best that we could to protect God, Family, Country. The one thing that did happen to each and every one of us veterans was to grow up and understand that taking care of yourself would be the next step in adulthood. Many of us were not even old enough to drink, (Colorado was one of the few states that you could buy 3.2 percent beer if you were 18 years of age) but were trained to handle a weapon and kill a target at 250 meters, navigate a land mass in darkness, throw a hand grenade with precision, shoot anti-tank weapons, execute infantry tactics, be given a mission and execute a final outcome, be part of a team and most important, watch your buddies back. This was just the beginning for most of us. And when we were through damn what a feeling what couldnt we have done?
That was true for each of the branches of service. That feeling of accomplishment I am sure is still felt by service members even today. The chance to change ones life was (is) at hand and in all cases would remain with us for the rest of our lives. We all were committed to the cause of the nation, whatever it would bring to us. Many of us would go on to different training to enhance the skills we were taught or learn a new skill. Some of us would go on to be lifers (career soldiers were known as lifers back in the day) and use those skills we learned in the jungles and deserts of the world. When we were done with our tours the commitment continued with family usually our own, work, college, business or whatever we could do to make life better around us. The new generation of soldier, sailor, airman, marine is faced with the same obstacles we faced back in our day, only faster and more technologically advanced.
One thing that has not changed for the newer generation is the commitment to preserve the freedoms this countrys veterans have fought to protect from generation to generation, from the revolutionary war to present day. It was not until the end of WWI that the veterans that had so proudly served our nation for years demanded the president, congress and the nation help provide for those who had given life and limb to preserve the freedoms all enjoyed. It was not until the veterans stood back to back that the country realized what sacrifice was all about. Many a veteran with lost limbs could not or would not be hired to work, veterans with shell shock (yesterdays version of Post Traumatic Stress) wandered hopelessly and those with a semblance of reality are the ones who made it happen for those that could not do for themselves.
This is true today as veterans organizations in the community are still standing in wait to help those in need that cannot help themselves. Help is waiting for our buddies, no matter the age, the conflict, gender, ethnic group or political preference you just have to ask. There are veterans out there that belong to fraternal organizations that do good deeds for the veteran but are seldom recognized for their work. Organizations of every type are losing membership or are having problems recruiting new members. This is true for veterans groups also. As a veteran you are unique in the fact that you have committed to sacrifice your life for the sake of your country if needed. I always heard it said Soldier First as I am sure you heard your own branch put in similar words. Is it true today? Are you a Soldier First? I would bet you are, even if angry about it. Your commitment changed your life good, bad or indifferent; your life was changed for the sake of your service. I know mine was.
Commitment is a powerful thing. It changes lives, builds families, makes communities strong and it builds countries. Think of this! Hindsight is 20/20. If not for those men staying the course during the revolutionary war, we would all be driving on the wrong side of the road. Those men were veterans of our first war, a way to freedom, a commitment to the people of a new nation willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. In todays world our children are the veterans; young, vibrant, technically educated, and of both genders. As older veterans, we need to stay committed to assist, mentor, and also to learn from these young veterans. Get committed again; your experience and expertise is needed in these organizations. Veterans are not an ethnic group, yet we are diverse in culture, rich in heritage, and stand for principles that many do not and usually have one political stand to protect the Constitution of the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic.
I would like to congratulate all those awarded at the annual Cortez Area Chamber ceremonies on January 28. Your commitment to community is appreciated. Also, to all those nominated for the awards, thank you for your service to community. If you or your organization helps with veterans issues I would like for you to contact me. I would love to learn what you do. Please listen to Veterans Forum the last Friday of every month at 8:30 a.m. on KSJD Dry Land Community Radio at 91.5FM. Robert Valencia is a retired army veteran, Senior Vice Commander of Montezuma County VFW post 5231, a member of DAV, and a member of the American Legion. Robert can be reached at 560-1891.