Sarah and I spent time last week with the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF). We are on Gary Sinise’s Advisory Board and Ambassadors for the Foundation. Gary Sinise is an amazing humanitarian. Folks know him as an accomplished actor. We know him as a great human being who always focuses on taking care of others. He places service above self, everyday.
It is amazing what the GSF has accomplished in four short years. They focus on honoring our Nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Gary always says we can never do enough for our Nation’s defenders, but we can always do a little more. It is wonderful to be part of the Gary Sinise Foundation and I urge you to see what you can do to help them in their efforts.
Calvin Coolidge, our Nation’s 30th President said “A Nation that forgets it’s defenders will soon itself be forgotten”. I am convinced that we as a Nation have a short term memory. There are folks who have already forgotten what happened on 9/11. We as a Nation were attacked, on our soil, and over 3000 American’s perished.
Since 2001 we have been at war with terrorism. The reason that we as a Nation have not experienced another attack of the same magnitude of 9/11 is because we have take the fight to the enemy in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, so that we don’t have to fight them here in the US. Over 2 million Americans have volunteered to serve in our Nation’s military since 9/11 to protect our freedoms and our way of life. We have not had a draft as a Nation since 1973. These defenders of our freedoms are all volunteers.
Over 6000 Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan so that we can be free. Over 50,000 have visible wounds (to include almost 2000 amputees) and another 150,000 have invisible wounds (PTSD and TBI). These are the true American heroes.
Now we as a Nation have a duty to take care of our defenders. We must ensure they have access to housing and medical care. We must help them find employment. We must host events to raise their spirits and show our appreciation for their service. And we must do this year round, not just on Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day.
Please take the time to see what you can do to help honor our defenders. It is the right thing to do.