American Flag
On Veterans Day 2010, we at AKR join Americans across the country and around the world in thanking those who have put their lives on the line for the ideals on which this country is based. Most have given of time in their young lives, often increasing the risk they might not have long lives. Far too many have given their lives. Others have dedicated entire careers to serving their country, taking their spouses and families “along for the ride” as they move from post to post around the world.
Individually and as a people, we owe it to our veterans and their families to see that their sacrifices have not been in vain. We must all work to help keep our country a shining beacon of freedom, justice, opportunity and equality. That does not mean we must always agree how to achieve this goal. Nevertheless, as soon as any of us stops caring and becomes willing to settle for less than these ideals for any citizen or visitor to our country, we all risk losing these treasured hallmarks of American life and identity.
AKR supports efforts to provide educational opportunities for today’s veterans and their families, just as we provided them for the veterans of earlier wars. We applaud the work of the Veterans Administration to provide cost-effective, efficient, state-of-the-art health care for veterans, especially for those who have survived wounds that could not have been treated effectively in earlier conflicts, such as traumatic brain injuries. Efforts to treat post-traumatic stress syndrome quickly promise to alleviate suffering from a condition that has left too many veterans of America’s earlier wars disabled and/or homeless.
For opportunities to be of service in support of Veterans and their families, check out http://www.serve.gov/vets.asp, the website of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
