Tag: Veterans

My Responsibility to America

During the month of May, Northwest Compass is celebrating all active military and veterans, leading up to Memorial Day, when we honor the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We are honored to have as one of our guest bloggers this month, Aidan Busch. As a winner in the VFW 2017 National Voice of Democracy Program, the Palatine High School senior wrote poignantly and eloquently about the true cost of liberty and freedom, and his responsibility to America. Aidan was sponsored by VFW Post 1337 in Mount Prospect, Illinois and his essay follows:

When I was seven years old, I made my first dollar. I remember less about how I made it and more about being incredibly anxious to spend it. I couldn’t wait to buy something to call my own, a possession that was mine, purchased with my own hard-earned funds. I didn’t realize at the time, however, that not everything can be purchased with a piece of green paper graced with the likeness of George Washington.

Some things can be bought, while others must be paid for. For instance, it’s easy enough to go to the grocery store and buy a loaf of bread. No one denies the fact that it is a simple matter to purchase a hammer and box of nails from the hardware store. One can buy an American flag or star-spangled bunting without too much difficulty. However, some things cannot be purchased with a swipe of a credit card. Some things are not readily accessible in Aisle 4 of the supermarket, between refried beans and Tabasco sauce. Liberty is one of these things. Liberty cannot be placed in a shopping cart, or casually tossed in your trunk to take home. No, Liberty is unique in that you cannot buy it. It is something that has been paid for by others. More specifically, veterans, and those who have laid down their lives in service of freedom. You cannot simply “get” liberty by filling out a mail-order form and putting a stamp on it. People have died, paying the ultimate price, so that I may live and enjoy my liberty. They gave up their opportunity to make choices and live their lives free of worry and persecution so that I, someone who has never known that struggle, may enjoy Liberty.

Liberty.

Patrick Henry is famous for his “Give me Liberty or give me Death” speech. But If I may be so bold, I would revise this statement. I would change it to “Liberty, because of death.” When I say death I don’t mean the sad kind, though death certainly is a melancholy affair. No, I mean sacrifice, the willing substitution of a life, an American life, so that I may live an existence of freedom and Liberty. Those who have paid have missed some of life’s most important moments, not being present for things that seem incomprehensible to miss to the average citizen. Events such as the birth of a child, the death of a parent, a daughter’s graduation, a son’s birthday party, supporting a spouse through an illnesses, teaching their child to throw a football, swing a bat or ride a bike. Missing opportunities to watch that squeaky first fifth grade band concert, or make countless trips to and from the soccer fields. They have missed these major or seemingly minor life opportunities so that I may enjoy them without fear or worry.

This is where I am responsible. Being American is unique in that each and every one of us is standing on ground stained with the blood of patriots. Many of us do not realize that our weekly trip to the grocery store is possible only because those who came before us, and fight for us, have died to make it possible. In some countries, one must kiss the entire family goodbye before leaving the house because they do not know if they will return. In America, we have the relative fortune of forgetting that we do not have these luxuries for free. They have been paid for. It is my responsibility to refuse to take these liberties for granted. It is my responsibility to ensure that every death and every act of service by an American, from March 5, 1770 to the day I die, is not wasted.

I can honor these sacrifices in a very practical way by the way I conduct myself on a daily basis. It is my personal responsibility to use these freedoms afforded to me at such a high price in a responsible manner that reflects the original sacrifice. Everyday opportunities abound, like running ahead to hold the door for a young mother pushing a stroller, or helping an elderly neighbor take out their trash. Removing my hat, placing my hand on my heart and standing tall when the national anthem is played. By putting others first, I am honoring what has already been done for me.

It is my responsibility to act as if I am walking on hallowed ground, every step paid for by the blood of Americans. It is the veterans, and those who have served our dear country in life and death, who deserve our undying gratitude and attention.

My responsibility is to remember. To remember those few, the white, black, Latino, Asian, male, female, and American few, who have given up their liberty, their peace, to give me mine. If we forget the sacrifice of these few, we will become an ungrateful nation incapable of appreciating the true value of our liberty. Because after all, it was not purchased, but paid for.

Northwest Compass wishes to thank friends and loved ones of service members who have given their lives in service to America, active military and veterans and Aidan Busch for allowing us to re-publish his essay here. We echo Aidan’s sentiment that it is our responsibility to never forget. We welcome your feedback in the comments.

From Fighting a War to Emptying a Dishwasher

To honor Veterans on this Veterans Day, I wanted to discuss the difficult yet brave things with which many veterans struggle. For some, it’s not the fighting in the war itself, but the aftermath of grief and re-entry into civilian life.

Problems caused by re-integration and grief are completely normal and expected upon arrival home from deployment. Some veterans experience difficulties leaving trauma and the combat mindset behind. Difficult emotions and a variety of physical symptoms initially haunt them despite the best efforts of the military and their families. When back in civilian life, veterans report feeling out of place; they don’t fit in anymore. Some re-enlist for this reason. One day you’re fighting a war, and the next day you’re back home. Imagine: going from a daily challenge of keeping the members of your unit and yourself alive, to a daily task of emptying the dishwasher.

A personal loss for soldiers, often overlooked, deals with their integrity and identity. Exposed to prolonged violence, their attitude toward themselves and the world shifts. A soldier isn’t the same person after deployment. When preforming mundane, everyday tasks, such as shopping, unpredicted events may trigger a reaction learned in combat creating unfortunate stress and potential harm.

It’s painful losing comrades in war. Bonds with unit members are described by many veterans as some of the closest relationships they have formed in their lives, a kind of brotherhood. Dealing with these losses in war, followed by the separation from their ‘brothers’ when deployed, is a life-long journey.

Being strong is a message drilled into a soldier’s mind. Emotions and grief are seen as a sign of weakness. The demands of commanding officers’ voices echo in their heads. But when they arrive home, they are encouraged to stop denying their emotions in order to be normal again. This is utterly contradictory, and causes some veterans to shut down.

As veterans rejoin their families, it may seem like everyone has learned to manage without them. They have gone from a combat unit where everyone’s lives depended on each other, to a family unit where they feel they are no longer needed. Their children may be afraid of them. They stare into the bathroom mirror and wonder, who is this person? Veterans from the World Wars who had trouble readjusting were said to have shell shock, or be overly nervous. Many who came home suppressed their pain and emotions, in order to get on with life. Did they really? Ask them or their families. Many are still unwilling to tell their stories having now lived most of their adult lives suppressing these emotions.

The medical field has advanced their understanding of combat disorders, now termed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There is no formula for dealing with loss and re-entry. Each soldier’s journey toward a more normal life is unique. In clinical trials with combat veterans suffering with PTSD, grief symptoms were detected at very high levels of intensity as far as 30 years after active duty. The Department of Veterans Affairs states most veterans successfully readjust with few major problems. But if a veteran continues to suffer symptoms after a few months, professional help should be consulted. We can support our troops with patience and understanding. Re-integration and dealing with loss is a process that cannot be rushed.

For veterans wanting support, there are resources available to help them through the transitional period. If you want to help veterans, get to know your local service providers. Investigate these groups and get involved, or pursue supporting them with financial contributions.

Join me, especially on November 11, in saying to veterans everywhere “Thank you for your service”. With your help, we can help all veterans build a new dream in this great country they protected.

Busting the Myths of Homelessness

If you don’t think there are any homeless people in your community take a closer look around. What do they look like these days? Veterans of war suffering with PTSD, individuals suffering from mental illness or drug and alcohol problems, single moms running from a domestic violence situation, middle age out of work professionals who can no longer care for their families, and are temporarily squeezed into a relative’s basement. Perhaps a seventeen-year-old female who ran away from an abusive home and now lives in her broken-down car or a disabled adult male, who has no way to care for themself. Another family with a sick child lost everything to pay their medical bills, while down the road a family is working hard making minimum wages and can’t afford food or rent.

I challenged myself to be more aware and took one week to observe the homeless in my surroundings. Suddenly they appeared no longer invisible to me.

At the intersection of Mt. Prospect and Central Rds. in Mt. Prospect I drove by a family of four, mom and dad with two small children sitting on the corner. Dad held a sign up begging for money for food.

Coming out of Macy’s in Schaumburg I discovered an old man asleep on a Starbucks chair, with six overflowing shopping bags holding all his belongings next to him. The heat of the day dripped from his forehead. I said hello, and he didn’t respond. I checked his pulse and he mumbled. He was alive!

In downtown Des Plaines in the Walgreens parking lot an elderly woman sat on a bench mumbling to herself while guarding the cart that held all her belongings.

Near downtown Palatine a car is parked on a neighborhood street. It’s filled to the brim with boxes and a blanket and pillow. I wonder who is sleeping in there at night.

What would you do if you saw a person in need? Drive by too busy to help? Yell out your car window at them to go back to their own country? Or shout out telling them that they are losers littering your neighborhood. Look the other way and pretend not to have seen them? Convince yourself they’re not really homeless. Fool yourself with the myth of my parent’s generation that “bums too lazy to work” or “they’ll use the money to buy drugs or alcohol”. We have all been guilty of such reactions.

Do you know how to help? A new awareness can be the first step to dispelling your stereotypes. If you’re in a hurry make a plan to do some research or donate to the local agencies. Offer them the same respect you would to a friend or family member. Open your heart and respond with kindness and a smile. Make eye contact when you chat with them, it helps them feel visible. Offer them some food or a few dollars. Create a card that lists all the local shelters, pantries and food kitchens. Store your old blankets or clothes in your trunk to donate to the next homeless person you see. Give them the number to Northwest Compass 847-392-2344, or call our outreach program with the location, and time of day, so one of our outreach staff can go help them. Volunteer! Northwest Compass has many opportunities. Giving back restores balance in your community and your soul.