Giving thanks to those who served
by Bob Mulholland

Sunday, November 11, 2007 marks America’s annual recognition of our veterans. Why November 11?  Because that date is symbolic of the end of World War I -- on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Of the 24 million current American veterans, about 3.2 million served in the military during World War II.  Sadly, we lose more than 1,000 of these WWII veterans each day as they move on to their next assignment in the great sky.

Who are veterans?

They are Americans -- although some went into the military not as a U.S. citizen; many were draftees, and some had spent 30 years or more in the military, although during the last 35 years, all joined the military to serve a two to four year stint.

Some of these veterans were Officers, but most were not; they served in the air, on the seas or on the ground, and had assignments that ranged from mess hall duty to driving a truck or tank to “living” in a foxhole.

These veterans had no routine hours – the term “24/7 probably came from the military.

Until the early 1990s, the only real communication with one’s family was good old-fashioned mail (i.e. snail mail) and in a war zone, it’s free for the troops to send.

Most of us who served in Vietnam were young and unmarried.  Nineteen year olds had the highest number of casualties of the 58,200+ who were killed in Vietnam. 

A good many of our troops serving today (soon to be veterans) are married.  I can only imagine the stress this causes for all involved, especially for those being sent into Afghanistan and Iraq for a 12-month tour, which is extended to 15 months with only a six-month break home before being sent back for a second, or even third tour. 

Time while on a tour of duty can pass slowly, whether you are serving the midnight shift at a DMZ outpost in Korea, or sharing a bunker in Afghanistan splitting two-hour shifts with a fellow troop.  Having to be on constant look-out for attacks and getting only two hours of sleep at a time (and praying you won’t fall asleep while on duty) is awfully tough.

Many promises are made to a military person.  In exchange for the military controlling your life day and night for years, the U.S. government will provide you with a lifetime of needed health care, some education benefits, and if disabled, a monthly check.

In 2003, Bush Jr. broke a big promise when he decided most middle-class veterans would no longer be entitled to use a VA health care facility.

Like the veterans who were severely wounded in Vietnam and then abandoned in VA hospitals, we have seen some of the same outrageous and cruel treatment of those who were severely wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Walter Reed was not an isolated case.

I would urge those Americans who have not served, but display the “I support our troops” (or veterans) bumper stickers on their cars, to actually show that support by not voting for candidates who don’t really give a damn about veterans in need.

Remember our veterans (more and more are women) this weekend and give thanks to them for answering the call to duty and for their sacrifice in serving our nation. 

And remember the families of these veterans as well.  While their loved ones were away from home, keeping our country safe, these wives and husbands, mothers, fathers and children had to make many sacrifices of their own. 

Bob Mulholland, Campaign Advisor for the California Democratic Party, served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam (1967-68) and was wounded.

Comments

[James Bishop]

Nice sentiments Mr. Mulholland,

It is a pity that you cannot be as respectful of those of us who differ from you and DF regarding the meaning of our constitution. Even those of us who are 'pre nursing home.' By, the way, who isn't?

[elmerg]

Yeah Bob,
Way to alienate your most passionate constituents who want accountability from her highness, DiFi who seems more interested in enabling the criminals in the White House than answering to her constituents.
Your time is way past up. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Worse than Bush? Take a look in the mirror, Bob.

[Human]

Mr. Mulholland, you and Senator Feinstein's attitude and unquestioned support of the Bush regime are part of the reason I along with a whole bunch have left the Party and declared Independent.
Your spirited defense of Sen. Feinstein, begs the question, what's in it for Bob? We know Sen. Feinstein makes big bucks off the Mighty MIC. Do you?

[Monique R.]

I just heard the video of the "pre nursing home" comment by Bob and also putting down the bloggers. I must say that I am quite surprise you of all people would make that comment. I was quite offended by the comment being part of the Democratic Party.

Mr. Mulholland, You are not the Democratic Party. And we as Californians have to hold our elected official accountable including our own. I believe you owe the California Democratic party members and bloggers an apology.

[Janet]

Screw you. Sit down and shut up. You're too stupid to understand...and oh by the way vote for us.
I don't think so bob.
Why he thinks we are worse than bush when it was and is, DiFi enabling him shows how far the democratic party is moving away from their own voters.

[Greenjeans]

Mr. Mulholland: So you too cannot handle democracy. Dissent apparently enrages you. Catch a clue. Senator Feinstein's constituents are dissenting for good reasons. The warmongering you support has made two million Iraqis into refugees. The war and occupation you support has killed eighty thousand Iraqi civilians or more. The war and occupation you support has destroyed Iraq's infrastructure, schools and hospitals and rendered most Iraqis unemployed. The war and occupation you support has hideously killed and wounded tens of thousands of Americans with no end in sight The war and occupation you support has redirected billions of American taxpayer dollars into war profiteering and waste with no end in sight. Go ahead and shoot the messenger, if it assuages your guilt - but it is you and and Senator Feinstein that are the dinosaurs that should be retired from politics.

[Greenjeans]

Mr. Mulholland: So you too cannot handle democracy. Dissent apparently enrages you. Catch a clue. Senator Feinstein's constituents are dissenting for good reasons. The warmongering you support has made two million Iraqis into refugees. The war and occupation you support has killed eighty thousand Iraqi civilians or more. The war and occupation you support has destroyed Iraq's infrastructure, schools and hospitals and rendered most Iraqis unemployed. The war and occupation you support has hideously killed and wounded tens of thousands of Americans with no end in sight The war and occupation you support has redirected billions of American taxpayer dollars into war profiteering and waste with no end in sight. Go ahead and shoot the messenger, if it assuages your guilt - but it is you and and Senator Feinstein that are the dinosaurs that should be retired from politics.

[Greenjeans]

Mr. Mulholland: So you too cannot handle democracy. Dissent apparently enrages you. Catch a clue. Senator Feinstein's constituents are dissenting for good reasons. The warmongering you support has made two million Iraqis into refugees. The war and occupation you support has killed eighty thousand Iraqi civilians or more. The war and occupation you support has destroyed Iraq's infrastructure, schools and hospitals and rendered most Iraqis unemployed. The war and occupation you support has hideously killed and wounded tens of thousands of Americans with no end in sight The war and occupation you support has redirected billions of American taxpayer dollars into war profiteering and waste with no end in sight. Go ahead and shoot the messenger, if it assuages your guilt - but it is you and and Senator Feinstein that are the dinosaurs that should be retired from politics.

[Anonymous]

The Senate Ethic Committee needs to look into this:

Feinstein Leaves Senate Defense Panel Amid Controversy

By Fred Lucas

CNSNews.com Staff Writer

April 02, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - Government watchdog groups want more answers as to why Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) stepped down from a military appropriations subcommittee at a time questions were being asked billions of dollars in federal defense contracts going to her husband's companies.Feinstein resigned her post as chairwoman of the Senate Subcommittee on Military Construction Appropriations, it was reported last week.

Was there a conflict of interest? Why is that not being investigated?

Bob's comments were plain ignorant and stupid. To compare us to Bush is just plain stupid. The Democratic Party have certainly changed their principles.

[K Righter]

Pre-nursing home, eh Bob? Those kinds of idiotic comments are why I joined the Green party long ago. Bob M. is a three-year-old trapped in the body of an adult.