Dear Editor,

We should all be aware this was the first Veterans Day Parade in Hartselle since the end of World War I in 1918. I would say this parade was long overdue. Also, this “thank you” is long over due. I had expected some of the veterans of the Korean , Vietnam or the Middle East wars from the Hartselle area would be writing this letter, but that has not happened.

I, for one, would like to take a few moments to say “thank you” to everyone involved in making this parade possible, in particular Mr. Robert Dotson and the Veterans Day Parade Committee for their time and effort. And let us not forget the many speakers, high school bands, along with the many donors that made this event possible. And of course, let us not forget to say “thank you” to all the veterans for their service to our country. Without veterans, there would be no United States of America.

This was to be a “thank you” to all the veterans who were never welcomed home from the war they went off to fight for the right for the peoples of the world to choose how they are governed. Too many of us came home to an “ungrateful nation.”

We were called all kinds of names, spit upon and had garbage thrown upon us. And to add insult to injury, many veterans had to fight and take our government to court to receive the benefits we were promised by our government. And this is still happening today. Too many of our elected officials in the government speak with a forked tongue and do not stand up for veterans and the benefits they have earned. Do I carry a grudge? No, but I will always remember how I was treated. Once the deed is done, it cannot be undone. Once the word is spoken, it cannot be unspoken.

Even today, we still have about 400,000 retired disabled military veterans who still pay their own disability. This is still an ongoing fight with the Congress of the United States. This ruling applies to those retired military who did not pursue a career in U.S. government service (civil servant, congressman or senator etc.) after their career in the military.

I am happy to see we Americans have come to treat our returning troops with the dignity and respect they deserve. We no longer blame the troops fighting the battle for the problems of the war. We direct that anger at the politicians we have elected to office.

When we had the draft in effect, all young men had the duty to serve their nation and the majority of families had a direct investment in the United States of America. In this age of an all-volunteer military force when we are at war only the military and their families are at war. The rest of the USA is at the mall, spending as if there is no end to the good times.

We all enjoy the freedoms we have here in the United States of America. However, most of America seems to think it is not their responsibility to have an investment in America in protecting the rights we have. It is not their job to pay for the freedoms we have. We must always remember “freedom is not free.” It is paid for in blood and guts by brave men and women of the United States, those few who are willing to stand up and be counted.

Since most of our current elected officials have not served their country there is little support for the military man and his family. Most Americans seem to think the same way. We the people could change this by contacting our/your elected officials and let them know they need to support our military.

Gene Aittala

Hartselle