Vietnam Veteran’s Day. A Promise Broken?

Every day is Veteran's Day. All Vets. All Wars.  I wake up and think, "Thanks to those who protected my freedoms, and for those who do so continuously, without their sacrifices, my drive to work may look a lot different.  Maybe I'd be driving past corpses, or burning buildings, instead of watching for deer crossing the roads on my way to do a radio show.  A radio show?  How would my profession be changed if it weren't for the soldiers, some only the age of my son, who laid down their lives for my freedom of speech?  Their duty and sacrifice are not lost on me. Not one bit.  I celebrate their sacrifices every day, and thank them silently.  Every Day.

On October 12, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower called upon the citizens of this country to observe November 11th as Veterans Day, to honor all who served this country, and to solemnly remember the sacrifices of all who fought to preserve our heritage of freedom.  Kinda says it all, doesn't it?

Yet, at least twice in his administration, President Obama has thought it appropriate to add a day to honor specific veterans.  I personally think this says more about Obama than our Veterans and their families.  I think Obama has focused more on the act of collecting approval from vets with hollow proclamations than attending to the needs of these heroes at home through the V.A.

The inconsistency with which medical attention is paid to these brave patriots is a tragedy that perhaps deserves its own day in the spotlight, as the cancers both physical and psychological begin to destroy the warriors of the Vietnam era.  Rather than empty words dedicating more parades and opportunities for politicians to profit politically off the backs of these quiet heroes, more hospital beds and doctors and treatment and research can be dedicated.  A nationwide effort to find those at home still fighting the effects of their role in history would be a nice announcement from the White House.

I've included a couple of proclamations by President Obama, who I wish would realize the power of these words, and do more to make them mean something for those waiting for help, or dying, because the greatest nation in the world can't reach out to our own past defenders with the same vigor which we ask them to sign up.

Do the men and women who sacrificed so much for this country really require a separate day for each war?  Seems like lip-service to veterans. I think they deserve more.

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NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2015, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor our distinguished Korean War veterans.