If this be 'support', what is 'disregard'?
Active duty soldiers and veterans have long known that the nation's professed "support of the troops" rarely extends beyond what is convenient for the public.
That's how it is possible that despite horrific injuries and long rehabilitations for those returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nation's pre-eminent military hospital -- Walter Reed -- could be allowed to fall into disrepair and poor management.
It's also why returning soldiers have found their commendations "lost," their previous positions filled and their jobs axed while governments point fingers. The day after the official Nov. 11 Veterans Day and the day of some belated celebrations, the headlines showed in no uncertain terms just how vacuous is that "support."
In 2005, Marine Reserve Gunnery Sgt. Scott Ottesen of McHenry provided cover fire for infantry troops caught in an ambush and later led his men under heavy fire to rescue another platoon and evacuate casualties. He was recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal that year, but the paperwork got "lost" at the Pentagon until aides of U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean tracked it down and pushed it forward. He finally got his medal Sunday, more than two years after his actions. And we clap and say we supported him.
Army Reserve Capt. Anne Brophy said that despite guarantees that those called to military service will be able to return to work at the same pay, status and seniority as when they left, she was not.
Though she kept her salary and seniority in the McHenry County state's attorney's office upon her return from a three-month humanitarian mission to Peru, she says she went from high-ranking felony prosecutor to a "backup" prosecutor in the juvenile division, a job she called "entry level." She is now practicing with a private law firm in Crystal Lake, and the Illinois attorney general's office is looking into the legality of her treatment. Some support.
And then there are the 17 veterans who were among those 20 fired from security posts with the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. Gov. Rod Blagojevich is blaming a federal budget cut, of course. And no one has explained how there's money to pay a Swedish-founded security firm but there isn't enough money to employ the veterans. And we'd have to agree with the contention of veterans, who called the department's argument that they weren't properly qualified to carry guns absurd. At least some were offered other state jobs, but one veteran said the pay cut was $600 per month.
No matter how the details of the fired guards play out, there's little doubt those in charge at all levels are far more interested in pointing fingers than actually supporting troops.
We ought to be embarrassed and angry and demand that there be real truth behind the easy words. Instead, we'll slap a yellow magnetic bow on our cars and call it "support."