Reflections on Veterans Day by a Veteran

[trillian]

Cross posted at dKos

This weekend, in small towns and in our largest cities, in rural and in urban areas, Americans will be asked to step back and offer public recognition to the Veterans of America’s Armed Services. It is fitting and just that we do so for without them there would be no America.

For better or for worse, over the last two years I have gained a public political persona during my bid to represent the 29th Congressional District in Washington. I want to take just a moment to discuss why I believe so many Veterans, especially those like myself who had never have been involved in politics before, are stepping forward to become involved in public policy at all levels of government. It’s simple really, the Congress has fewer veterans now than at almost any other time in the history of the country. Veterans are under represented by a huge percentage. As a direct result, the benefits which all Veterans earned and deserve are being denied, compelling them to get involved. What’s more, those in power who have never worn a uniform delight in standing in for photos with Veterans -- all the while attacking the service records of those who did and who disagree with them.

This weekend, in small towns and in our largest cities, in rural and in urban areas, Americans will be asked to step back and offer public recognition to the Veterans of America’s Armed Services. It is fitting and just that we do so for without them there would be no America.

For better or for worse, over the last two years I have gained a public political persona during my bid to represent the 29th Congressional District in Washington. I want to take just a moment to discuss why I believe so many Veterans, especially those like myself who had never have been involved in politics before, are stepping forward to become involved in public policy at all levels of government. It’s simple really, the Congress has fewer veterans now than at almost any other time in the history of the country. Veterans are under represented by a huge percentage. As a direct result, the benefits which all Veterans earned and deserve are being denied, compelling them to get involved. What’s more, those in power who have never worn a uniform delight in standing in for photos with Veterans -- all the while attacking the service records of those who did and who disagree with them.

I have some personal experience with this phenomenon. During the 29th District Congressional race, my opponent, Randy Kuhl, tried to smear me by planting stories that somehow my career was scarred because I served for 24 years and retired as a Commander. The implied smear was that I should have retired as at least a Navy Captain. Kuhl left out one very important factor: I medically retired as a result of cancer prior to my promotion board for Navy Captain being called. It was a typical political smear against a Veteran -- the most celebrated of which was the national Swift Boat campaign which added a new chapter to how low political parties will go to attack public figures.

It is right and just to discuss the American political scene as we near Veteran’s Day. Why? Because policy that directly impacts the lives of Veterans is created (or destroyed) each and every day in the U.S. Congress, in the state legislatures around the Country, and at the White House. Right now there is a real and growing disconnect between the military that defends America and the rest of the country. Hollywood is largely the main source of impressions and “understanding” of the challenges and difficulties that Veterans face. That is lamentable.

At a time when only the military and their immediate families are being called to sacrifice to support the Iraq war, George Bush is working around the clock to insulate the very rich and the very privileged. This includes the vast majority of Members of Congress. These people do not experience the kind of sacrifices which the military and the Veteran’s community face each and every day. If all Americans had to tolerate what the spouses of the ground troops in Iraq face every day, then this war would have been over before it started. George Bush’s call to national sacrifice was, and continues to be, a rally to whip out the national charge card and go shopping. Lamentable.

What I find even more offensive about President Bush is the fact that he's never once attended a funeral for our fallen soldiers, yet he finds the time to show up at a VA for a photo op every once and a while.

I know that some who read this will never have worn a military uniform. In fact, for some who read this, the thought of serving in the military is quite contrary to their personal belief system. I know of no one in the military who begrudges that reality. But I know of few, if any, who hold the rank and file of our military accountable for the incredible disaster and failure that has been this Administration’s failed policies. It is right and just that, on Veteran’s Day, we pause and understand there is a great deal more which unites us in the cause of Veterans than separates us. In fact, the major force separating us is the hate speech and misuse of public airwaves from the likes of Rush
Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck and Bill O’Reilly – none of whom ever wore a uniform – all of whom attack any Veteran who disagrees with
Decider-in-Chief - George Bush.

So this weekend, above all weekends, please just stop, shake the hand of a Veteran and tell them that you stand with them. Oh by the way – then get back to work to throw the bums out of Congress who vote against Veterans again and again and again.

Thank you and have a great Veterans Day,

Eric Massa
Commander US Navy (ret.)
Congressional Candidate, NY-29