Jim Zeigler: Veterans Day started in Alabama by an Alabama vet 75 years ago
75 years ago, it all started in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1947, the first Veterans Day was celebrated only in Alabama, but the idea was so good and so needed that it spread nationally. Raymond Weeks was a Birmingham native and veteran of World War II. He came up with the idea to take “Armistice Day” – which commemorated the November 11 end of fighting in World War I – and expand it to “Veterans Day” to honor all Americans who had served their country and their people. He led a national campaign for the idea of Veterans Day with General Dwight Eisenhower, President Harry Truman, and Congress. By November 11, 1982, the idea had become so popular that President Ronald Reagan awarded the Presidential Citizenship Medal to Weeks, who lived in Alabama until his death at age 76 in 1985. The meaning of Veterans Day is sometimes confused with Memorial Day in May. While Memorial Day honors those who died in the service of their county, Veterans Day honors all who served. Many Veterans look back at their years of service as the most meaningful time of their lives. Some people live their entire lifetimes and wonder if they ever made a difference for others. Veterans don’t have that problem. Jim Zeigler has been the State Auditor of Alabama since 2015.
Long-running Veterans Day parade resumes after COVID halt
A red, white, and blue procession billed as the nation’s longest-running Veterans Day parade rolled once again Thursday despite dousing rain and gusty winds after taking a year off because of the coronavirus pandemic. Reduced to an online-only event in 2020 because of COVID-19 safety precautions, the National Veterans Day Parade stretched through downtown Birmingham in a traditional format that included military units, ROTC groups, floats, veterans organizations, high school bands, and lots of waving flags. The crowd was not huge, possibly because of the blustery weather, but Clarence Turner brought his two young grandsons and an umbrella. “I’m not a veteran. Actually, I was supposed to be at work today. I just took off to bring them down here so they can learn about the importance of the military and the veterans,” Turner said as the brothers, 8-year-old Terrence Todd and 9-year-old Lamar Todd, waved to marchers. Retired Marine Maj. Donald D. Brooks, who retired in 1977 after 40 years in the service and then taught ROTC, was happy the parade had resumed but concerned about participants. “I’m worried about my Marine color guard. They’re going to get all wet,” said Brooks, who lives in Tuscaloosa County, before the start. “I going to get in the car behind us.” More than 100 groups signed up to participate, down about 20 from most years, but Mark Ryan, president of the National Veterans Day Foundation, said organizers hoped tens of thousands will come out. “Our goal is to show our veterans our special they are to us, not only individually but collectively,” he said. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston, an Alabama native, served as grand marshal, riding in a covered vehicle to stay dry. Thousands turned out for a parade in Mobile despite overcast skies, and Huntsville’s parade stepped off earlier than planned because of the chance of storms. Birmingham isn’t the only place to claim its celebration of veterans is the nation’s oldest. Leavenworth County, Kansas, dates its festivities back to the year after World War I ended, 1918, or nearly 30 years before the Birmingham event was established. And Emporia, Kansas, has been recognized as having the first Veterans Day event in 1953. But the Veterans Administration credits Birmingham with having the first celebration to use the term “Veterans Day” in its title after World War II veteran Raymond Weeks organized “National Veterans Day” in 1947. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the federal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. The parade has been held annually, Ryan said, and organizers considered canceling it last year because of public health safety before opting for a virtual event that included video performances, salutes, and video from past parades and was watched thousands watched online, he said. “Smarter minds than mine came together and convinced me we had to have one,” said Ryan. A dinner Wednesday night honored service members who participated in the response to COVID-19, which has killed more than 755,000 people in the United States, or more than the combined number of 673,687 U.S. service members who died from combat or other causes in both world wars, Korea, Vietnam, the two Gulf wars and the global war on terror that followed the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Service members helped in the fight against COVID-19 by cleaning nursing homes, setting up testing stations, and administering vaccines. “We’re honoring all of them,” said Ryan. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Martha Roby: God bless our veterans
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918, the armistice ending World War I was signed. Originally known as Armistice Day, Congress later passed a resolution signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower which officially designated November 11th as Veterans Day. Americans now pause on this special day each year to recognize all those, young and old, who have served our country in uniform. My highest honor as a Member of Congress is representing and fighting for the men and women who serve us all. One of my top priorities is working on behalf of our service members and veterans. Alabama’s Second Congressional District is home to a notable amount of veterans and thousands of active duty and reserve personnel. My office consistently provides our veterans with assistance because they deserve the utmost care and attention, and I recognize our local VA facilities have not always provided this to them. There is certainly much more work to do, but I am encouraged by the progress that has been made throughout my time in Congress and am hopeful our leaders will continue to fight for our veteran population. While we should honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans every day, Veterans Day provides a unique opportunity for us to come together as a nation and pay tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom. There are typically several parades and celebrations across the Second District to praise our veterans, but due to the current health pandemic, this year’s activities look a little different. If you are interested in finding an opportunity to show your appreciation for our men and women who have served in uniform, I encourage you to look into these virtual COVID-friendly recommendations from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. here are 17.4 million veterans living in the United States and nearly 400,000 in Alabama. I want to extend my most sincere gratitude to everyone who has served this country and to their families. Our country is great because of the men and women who were willing to sacrifice on our behalf. Please join me in saying thank you to all those who have served our nation. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Martha Roby: We will always stand by our American heroes
Each year on Veterans Day, Americans pause to recognize those who have served our country in uniform. Originally known as Armistice Day, Congress later passed a resolution signed by President Dwight Eisenhower that officially designated November 11 as Veterans Day. It is important that we honor these heroic men and women not only on this holiday but every day. We are indebted to the selflessness of those who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. This special day of remembrance is not simply just a day off work. It is a day set aside to acknowledge the servicemembers who sacrificed for the freedoms we may sometimes take for granted. One way to show tribute to our heroes is by attending a local Veterans Day event. It is always an honor to be in the presence of those who fight to defend our nation, but it is especially humbling on this significant holiday. I highly encourage you and your family to attend a Veterans Day ceremony in your hometown. Many cities and towns throughout Central and South Alabama will hold special observances in which you and your family can attend. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity to express your gratitude, but it is also a great way for your children to meet servicemembers and better understand the endless sacrifices made on our behalf. If you cannot attend an event in person, please make sure you take time to thank the people you may know who have served our country in uniform. It is my highest honor to represent the people of Alabama’s Second Congressional District and to fight for the men and women who serve us all. One of my top priorities since my first day in Congress is working on behalf of America’s servicemembers and veterans, particularly because the Second District is home to a notable population of veterans and thousands of active duty and reserve personnel. My offices do the best we can to represent our veterans and provide them with adequate assistance every day because they deserve proper care and attention. If I can ever be helpful to you or someone you know, please do not hesitate to call my office or visit my website for more information on the assistance my office can supply. It is imperative that we remain committed to honoring and caring for our veterans and military families more than just one day each year. We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to all members who have served in our Armed Forces. Thank you to every servicemember, young and old, across our nation. Your gracious devotion to our country and its people has never gone unnoticed, and it never will. America is great because of your willingness to make sacrifices on our behalf. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Daniel Sutter: World War I versus progress
Veterans Day 2018 marks one hundred years since the end of World War I. Veterans Day was Armistice Day until America learned that we had not fought the war to end all wars. The Great War profoundly challenged the dominant ideology of the time, liberalism, with far-reaching consequences. We now call the 19th Century’s liberalism “classical liberalism” to distinguish it from the modern version. Classical liberalism provided the foundation for liberal democracy, and began with the premise that individuals’ happiness matters, not the fame and fortune of rulers. This was a radical idea; kings and emperors used people to build pyramids, fight wars, or otherwise serve them. If individuals are not means to anyone’s ends, then their interactions should be voluntary. In economics, this means economic freedom and free markets. Adam Smith explained how many of our institutions – including money, business, and language – arose spontaneously from voluntary interaction between people. John Locke and others extended voluntariness to government, maintaining that legitimate political leaders must serve the people, not the other way around. And reason allows us to make sense of the world. Modern science emerged with the Enlightenment, and its application to production yielded the Industrial Revolution. Classical liberals were not against religion, but did care about well-being in this world. The application of reason over time would produce progress and civilization, not regression. Liberalism dramatically improved the world. Economic historian Angus Maddison dates the takeoff of economic growth to England around 1700. For the first time in history, the average standard of living rose above subsistence. A dramatic increase in life expectancy and the diffusion of literacy and education followed. Britain and America developed political institutions limiting government and ending authoritarian rule. Britain never abolished its monarchy, but Parliament slowly exercised power. In America, our constitution limited government. The most explicit form of human servitude, slavery, was abolished in the 19th Century. Classical liberalism led to recognition of the immorality of slavery and demands for its abolition. Equal rights were extended to women. Progress was regrettably slow, particularly for African-Americans following abolition, but these accomplishments must be evaluated relative to thousands of years of dismal history. And then came World War I. The horrors of the Great War included trench warfare, disease, poison gas, and senseless slaughter. Nineteen thousand British soldiers were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme to capture three square miles of territory from the Germans. The U.S. suffered 116,000 military deaths, double our losses in Vietnam, in one year of fighting. Classical liberals saw international trade as an important means of maintaining peace. The saying, “When goods don’t cross borders, armies will,” captures the liberal view. Economic and cultural ties encourage recognition of our common humanity, making conflict less likely. And the potential disruption of trading relations during war creates political demands for peace. Yet Western Europe was highly integrated before World War I; not until the 1970s did its volume of international trade return to pre-1914 levels. Economic and cultural integration did not prevent war. The Great War seriously challenged the classical liberal worldview. Civilized nations surely could never perpetrate or tolerate the horrors of the Western Front. The ensuing malaise, voiced by the writers of The Lost Generation, contributed to the rise of fascism and thus to World War II. Professors can debate whether classical liberalism can be reconciled with the War; the start of the war can be blamed on illiberal Austria, Serbia, and Russia. What I find more significant is that educated contemporaries in Europe and America, who were quite familiar with liberalism, interpreted the War as a refutation. Progress has arguably resumed since the end of World War II. The incidence of extreme poverty across the world has fallen by more than half since 1990, and wars between nations have become less frequent. Hopefully progress will continue. But the Great War warns us that progress is never guaranteed. ••• Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.
Martha Roby pays tribute to veterans on House floor
In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives Tuesday, Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby honored America’s veterans and said advocating for those who have served this nation is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. “I take my responsibility to look out for veterans very seriously, whether through pushing for better policies, fighting to improve access to VA medical services, or going to bat for someone the bureaucracy has left behind,” Roby said. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has served this country and to their families. Our country is great because of the men and women who were willing to sacrifice on our behalf.” Roby also shared the news that the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS), which serves all of Alabama’s Second Congressional District, has improved by another star rating. CAVHCS now ranks three out of five stars — a significant improvement from two years ago when the system ranked as one of the nation’s worst. Watch Roby’s tribute below: Read Roby full floor speech, as prepared, below: Thank you, M. Speaker. In the year 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, the armistice ending World War I was signed. Originally known as Armistice Day, Congress later passed and President Dwight Eisenhower signed a resolution officially designating November 11th as Veterans Day. Now, every year, Americans pause on this special day to recognize all those, young and old, who have served our country in uniform. While we should honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans every day, this holiday provides a unique opportunity for us to come together as a nation and pay tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom. This year I’ll be participating in my hometown of Montgomery’s Veterans Day event, and I highly encourage you and your family to attend the festivities in your area. I can promise you that you won’t regret it. For me, it’s not only an opportunity to express my gratitude to those who have served, but it’s also a chance for my children to meet veterans and to better understand the sacrifices that have been made for us. If you can’t attend an event in person, I hope you will take time to reach out to friends or relatives who have served to let them know they are appreciated. Mr. Speaker, this Veterans Day comes as services for veterans are improving – both on a national level and locally in Alabama’s Second Congressional District. I have been impressed by the leadership of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David Shulkin. He’s been making the long-troubled Department work better for those it serves. Closer to home for me, the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System has again improved its service rating and now ranks three out of five stars. This is encouraging news, especially considering that just a few short years ago the Central Alabama VA was one of the nation’s worst. Our VA now has the steady leadership of Dr. Linda Boyle, and there’s no question that her guidance has made a difference in making this sustained progress. I’m eager to see it continue. We still have significant issues to address at our Central Alabama VA, which is why I will remain actively engaged in working to turn around the system. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to represent a district that is home to one of the nation’s highest concentrations of veterans and retired military personnel. One of the most rewarding parts of this job is being able to advocate for those who have served this nation in uniform. I take my responsibility to look out for veterans very seriously, whether through pushing for better policies, fighting to improve access to VA medical services, or going to bat on behalf of someone the bureaucracy has left behind. So Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by extending my sincere gratitude to everyone who has served this country and to their families. Our country is great because of the men and women who were willing to sacrifice on our behalf. Thank you. I yield back.
Bradley Byrne: Honoring our veterans
On November 11, we will celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have served our nation. This is a day set aside to share our deep appreciation with all those, from the Battle of Yorktown to the War on Terror, who have fought to keep us safe and to protect the values we hold dear. There is really something remarkable about serving our country. It means that an individual is willing to give up their own life so that others may have the opportunity to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Veterans Day began in 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson created Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. The name was officially changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a veteran himself. Veterans Day was briefly moved from November 11th to October in the seventies, but Congress passed a law in 1975 officially setting Veterans Day as November 11th. While Memorial Day is specifically for those who lost their lives while serving our country, Veterans Day is intended to honor all of our nation’s veterans, past and present. I am sure each of you has at least one veteran in your life. It may be a parent who served in Vietnam or a child currently serving in the Middle East. For some, it may be a co-worker, grandparent, or classmates. One thing they are for sure is a hero. On Veterans Day, I am always reminded of my brother, Dale. Dale had a lengthy career in the Alabama National Guard, where he rose to rank of Command Sergeant Major. During his military career, Dale served in the Airborne Rangers and Special Forces (20th Special Forces Group). Many times his missions were secret and even our family could not know all the details. Through his service, Dale earned many honors including the Bronze Star (two awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Army Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Global War on Terrorism Expedition Medal. Dale loved the camaraderie of the military, and he treasured so many friendship that he made through his service. Sadly, Dale passed away back in 2013 after a lengthy illness. I miss Dale every day, but I am always blown away by the wide range of people from all over who come up and tell me their stories about Dale. No stories are more powerful than those from people who served alongside Dale over the years. It is that fellowship that makes military service so special. Earlier this year, Secretary of Defense James Mattis was asked in a television interview what keeps him up at night. Secretary Mattis did not hesitate before answering, “Nothing. I keep other people awake at night.” That confidence is not derived from any special aircraft or any great piece of military equipment. Those items are important, but they are meaningless without a highly capable and trained military; without individuals willing to put country before self. That confidence is a testament to the men and women who make up the greatest fighting force in the world: the United States military. Today’s sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines are carrying on the legacy of the countless others who came before them. So, this Veterans Day, may we remember the courage, sacrifice, dedication, and unselfish nature of all those who have served our country. May we never allow their service and sacrifice to be in vein, and may we always honor the United States of America. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Martha Roby: Honor veterans in your hometown
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, the armistice ending World War I was signed. Originally known as Armistice Day, Congress later passed and President Dwight Eisenhower signed a resolution officially designating November 11 as Veterans Day. Now, every year, Americans pause on this special day to recognize all those, young and old, who have served our country in uniform. While we should honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans every day, this holiday provides a unique opportunity for us to come together as a nation and pay tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom. I highly encourage you and your family to attend a Veterans Day ceremony in your area. Many towns throughout Central and South Alabama will be holding special observances, and I’ve had the privilege to attend several over the years. This year, I will be participating in Montgomery’s Veterans Day event at Riverwalk Stadium. For me, it’s not only an opportunity to express my gratitude to those who have served, it’s also a chance for my children to meet veterans and to better understand the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf. If you can’t attend an event in person, I hope you’ll take time to reach out to friends or relatives who have served to let them know they are appreciated. This Veterans Day comes as services for veterans are improving, both on a national and local level. I’ve been impressed by the leadership and ingenuity of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David Shulkin in making the long-troubled Department of Veterans Affairs work better for those it serves. Closer to home, the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) has again improved its service rating and now ranks three out of five stars. That’s encouraging news, especially considering that just a few short years ago the Central Alabama VA was one of the nation’s worst. There’s no question that finally having the steady leadership of CAVHCS Director Dr. Linda Boyle has contributed to this sustained progress, and I’m eager to see it continue. We still have significant issues to address at CAVHCS, which is why I remain actively engaged in working to turn around this system. It is my distinct honor to represent a district that is home to one of the nation’s highest concentration of veterans and retired military personnel. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to advocate on behalf of those who have served this nation in uniform. I take my responsibility to look out for veterans very seriously, whether it is through pushing for better policies, fighting to improve access to VA medical services, or going to bat on behalf of someone the bureaucracy has left behind. If you are a veteran, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you and to your family. This country is great because you and people like you were willing to sacrifice on our behalf. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Alabama delegation honors America’s veterans
On Veterans Day, Americans across the country salute our brave men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much for our nation. Today, in honor of Veterans Day, members of the Alabama congressional delegation are paying tribute to their selfless service and sacrifices. Here’s what the Alabama delegation is saying in honor of Veterans Day: Sen. Richard Shelby: Each year, friends and neighbors across the country pause to honor our nation’s military heroes who selflessly sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Veterans Day is an important time to remember that freedom does not come free, and that we owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women of our Armed Forces for their extraordinary service. Ala. 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Earlier this week, we held an election to pick our nation’s next leader. That is an honor we all have thanks to the sacrifice and service of our nation’s veterans. These men and women put their lives on the line in order to keep us safe and protect the freedoms we all hold dear. Be sure to take time today to say thank you to a veteran, but let’s not just honor our veterans one day a year. Let’s honor our veterans each and every day. Their service demands nothing less. Ala. 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: All we are as a nation – the freedom and opportunity we enjoy as Americans – we owe to the men and women who have put on the uniform and defended our country in times of conflict. Thank you to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice. Ala. 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Reagan Ala. 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: On this #VeteransDay2016 and every day we honor our nation’s military members for their selfless service in defense of America. It’s a privilege to represent #AL05 and support our veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families. Ala. 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: As American citizens, we enjoy and exercise our freedom daily. But such privilege does not come without a steep cost. The valiant men and women of our Armed Services bravely defend our great nation daily from threats against our freedom, and they have thwarted off all enemies for well over 240 years. Without their service and their sacrifice, America would not be the great country it is today. I send my deepest thanks to every member of the Armed Forces, past, present and future. You are what makes America the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. God Bless America and God Bless our veterans. Ala. 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: Today, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have laid down their lives to keep our country safe. These individuals – men and women, fathers, wives, sons and daughters – have fought and died to protect the values we hold dear as a nation. We owe them a sincere debt of gratitude for their tremendous bravery and selfless sacrifice. That is why it is critically important for Congress to continue to support and provide needed resources to the Veterans Administration (VA) to ensure that our veterans and their spouses or widowers have access to quality health care, good-paying jobs, affordable housing, and other benefits they have rightly earned. We should not deny the very liberties to these American heroes and their families that they have fought to protect.
Alabama Capitol participates in “Greenlight A Vet,” lit green in support of veterans
In support of the 376,525+ veterans across the state, Gov. Robert Bentley on Wednesday announced the Alabama State Capitol will be illuminated in green in the weeks leading up to Veterans Day in conjunction with the “Greenlight A Vet” campaign. The campaign endeavors to establish visible national support for veterans by shining a green light outside a residence, business or other establishment, like the Alabama Capitol. “In Alabama we honor our veterans and the sacrifices they make to protect our freedom and the American way of life,” Bentley said in a news release. “We are lighting the Capitol green to support our veterans and to send a message that in Alabama we will do everything we can to take care of those who have served and their families.” According to the national organization, the campaign uses the color green as a symbol of hope, renewal and well-being and because the term “greenlight” is commonly used to activate forward movement in the field. The gesture of changing one light to green creates a beacon of support and appreciation, and a visible symbol of commitment to “greenlight” veterans forward as valued members of our communities. “As a veteran of the United States Air Force,” Bentley continued, “I understand that there is more to be done to support those who have served and will make every effort to continue to push for more programs and resources that will make their lives better.” 2016 marks the second year that Alabama has participated in the campaign. Alabama Department of Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee initiated the state’s participation in the “Greenlight A Vet” campaign in 2015 in tribute to her father. “My father served our nation in the Air Force for more than 20 years, including many tours in Korea and Vietnam, so observing Veteran’s Day is very meaningful to our family,” Magee said. “We know firsthand the personal sacrifices all veterans have made and wish to honor all of them with this small token of our appreciation. I hope when people see the green lights they will take a moment to thank all those who have served.” Green lights began illuminate the State Capitol as of Wednesday, November 2, 2016 and will continue through Sunday, November 13, at the conclusion of Veterans Day weekend. Veterans Day will be recognized nationwide on Friday, November 11.
Alabama delegation honors America’s veterans this Veterans Day
There are 19.3 million veterans living in the United States and 409,997 of them call Alabama home. Today, in honor of Veterans Day, members of the Alabama congressional delegation are paying tribute to their selfless service and sacrifices. Here’s what the Alabama delegation is saying in honor of Veterans Day: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: Today I proudly join my colleagues and Americans across the country in paying tribute to our nation’s veterans and their families. Without the selfless sacrifices of the courageous men and women in uniform, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans would not be possible. On Veterans Day and every day, we must remember that freedom comes at a great price, and that we owe our active duty and retired servicemen and women a debt of gratitude. Our veterans’ unwavering commitment to defending security and prosperity should never be forgotten. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): …So on this Veterans Day, and every day, may we never forget the courage, sacrifice, dedication, and unselfish nature of all those who have served our country. And to all our veterans and their families: on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service and God bless the United States of America. Watch Rep. Byrne’s full statement below: U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02) via Facebook: Veterans Day is a time to pause and honor those who have served in uniform to protect this nation and the freedoms we enjoy. It is a special day when we make sure to say “thank you” to our friends, neighbors, family members – and those we’ve never even met – for their service to our country. …God bless you and thank you for your service. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) via Facebook: Thank you veterans for your service to our nation. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): I want to wholeheartedly express my appreciation to each and every one of our veterans, both in Alabama and throughout America. Our national anthem calls the America the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave.’ A popular rephrasing of that is that America is ‘Land of the free because of the brave.’ It remains free because brave citizens choose to join our armed forced and serve their country sacrificially. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): Today we salute the selfless sacrifices of our nation’s 21 million veterans. These patriots have kept our nation safe while defending our nation at home and abroad. They have served our country with distinction, and we should honor them for their bravery and courage with actions — not simply words. Congress must continue to support and provide critical resources to the Veterans Administration (VA) to ensure that our veterans have access to quality health care, good-paying jobs, affordable housing, and opportunities to continue their education. We should not deny the very liberties they fought to protect, nor deny them any benefits they so fittingly deserve. I am committed to ensuring that we honor the promises that were made to these American heroes. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to them and their families by vowing to make sure they succeed. They deserve nothing less.
Tom O’Hara: Don’t thank me for my service, just send my disability check
It’s Veterans Day on Wednesday and I’m even more excited than usual. In researching this column, I learned that as a Vietnam veteran I may be eligible to collect VA disability benefits because I have diabetes – even though I’m sure my tedious year at Phu Cat Air Force Base has nothing to do with my blood-sugar levels today. It’s a great time to be a veteran. Gov. Rick Scott and his team are doing everything they can to lure more veterans to Florida. We already have 1.6 million of them here and I doubt they need much coaxing to flee Ohio and New Jersey. Nonetheless, the state has waived out-of-state college fees for vets and offered a buffet of other perks. The college fee waiver is a nifty ruse because few current vets have any interest in getting a college degree. The state has a Department of Veterans Affairs that spends $111 million each year to help more and more vets feed at the government trough. This is very good politics because veterans are overwhelmingly old, white and male. In other words, they vote Republican. And they vote in droves. About 70 percent of America’s 22 million veterans voted in the 2012 presidential election, compared with 56.5 percent of all Americans. Among the vets 65 and older, more than 75 percent cast a ballot. In the 2014 midterm elections, vets voted for Republicans by a 20-percentage-point margin over Democrats in House races, according to The Washington Post. But politicians of every stripe pander to veterans. Even if they don’t vote for you, you sound patriotic and sensitive if you praise them and approve billions of dollars in benefits for them. Veterans account for only 9 percent of the adult population. (I wonder how many people even know a veteran.) Nonetheless, they have extraordinary sway with politicians. Even as the percent of congressmen who served in the military plummets (less than 20 percent today compared with 73 percent in 1971), their urge to throw money at vets escalates. “More than 1.3 million veterans of the Vietnam era received $21 billion in disability pay last year. From Afghanistan and Iraq, the cost was $9.3 billion – but it is growing fast,” the Los Angles Times reported last year. In 1991, the total cost for VA disability payments was $16.6 billion; it’s $50 billion today, the Times reported. Even the Heritage Foundation – a very conservative think tank – is amazed at the exploding veterans largesse. “Nearly 60,000 disabled veterans received cash benefits from three different federal programs simultaneously. More than 2,300 veterans received $100,000 or more in annual benefits each, and the highest annual benefit amounted to more than $200,000,” according to a 2014 foundation article. OK. Where do I sign up? Some guy is getting more than $200,000 by triple dipping into VA disability, military retirement and Social Security disability. And my guess is that he’s a white guy who votes Republican because he’s so disgusted by government waste. I assume this veteran was unperturbed if he had to exaggerate a bit for his benefits. It’s not hard to game the system, however, because it appears VA staff are encouraging the fraud. “A 2014 paper in Psychological Injury and Law identified ‘collusive lying’ between disability-benefits applicants and VA staff as one possible problem” for the soaring costs, according to the Heritage Foundation. Frankly, I’m just jealous. I have not been paying attention. I only recently discovered that you could get a “V” for veteran put on your driver license and get discounts at Home Depot and movie theaters. However, I’m going for the big time now: the diabetes claim. In 2001, the VA added Type 2 diabetes to the list of disabilities. The disease has not been definitely linked to Agent Orange, but veterans groups lobbied to include it, according to the LA Times. “Through 2013, the number of veterans receiving compensation for diabetes climbed from 46,395 to 398,480,” the Times reported. So if you see me on Veterans Day, don’t thank me for my service. Just give me directions to the Veterans Affairs disability claims office so I can get started on my paperwork. Tom O’Hara is a veteran newspaperman. He is the former managing editor of The Palm Beach Post and the Plain Dealer in Ohio.
