Yesterday the DAV was collecting donations for the Forget Me Not campaign at the Bass Pro Shop in Orlando. Some people tossed in a dollar or two, some tossed in pocket change but a couple of people put in $20.00. You meet a lot of different people when you show up at the businesses that do in fact really support veterans and the troops. You also meet some of the active duty soldiers normally along with the veterans.
Yesterday a young man came over to the table, picked up a Why Join pamphlet as a sad look came over him. He looked up at me and asked, "Is this the place I contact when I get hurt and need help?" He is heading to training with the Air Force next week. His Mom came up behind him, said how proud of him she was, then said how worried she was for him. We talked for a while but his question wouldn't leave my mind.
The Forget Me Not is the perfect name for what the DAV does all year. We remember them. It is also what the rest of the country does not do. They are forgotten soon after they are sent. How many people in this country know how many tours of duty have these men and women shown up for? How many know how many were wounded? When they come home, especially if they come home hurt, they stand little chance of being noticed at all.
There are a lot of people in this country that really do care about them but the majority of Americans got on with their lives soon after 9-11. Astonishing that over 300 million people are not able to take care of less than one percent of the men and women coming home from risking their lives.
There will be more coming home hurt and needing help because they were willing to serve in the military. Will the rest of this nation remember them?
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