America must help veterans who fought for freedom

America must help veterans who fought for freedom

Without our veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, where would America be today? We certainly would not have the freedom and liberty we enjoy.

There are those who would take away what we have as Americans. We continue to maintain an armed force to protect our borders so we can continue to enjoy what we do have. Something to give serious thought to.

Our men and women in uniform stand ready and willing to fight those who would take away our freedom. Many of those who survived the battles of years past and present day come home broken in body and spirit and in need of the help that was promised.

Veterans Affairs is a government agency created to help veterans. But in view of the VA’s scandalous indiscretions, many veterans are simply tossed aside in a hurry up and wait situation with some who may have died waiting for help. What is wrong with this picture? Torn bodies, PTSD, cancer. Just let them wait. Is this how our veterans should be treated who fought the battles and wars?

The American people need to stand up and be counted. Urge your elected legislators to do what is right to care for those in need. Call your members of Congress to do what is right for our veterans.

John J. Bury, U.S. Navy (retired)

Vietnam veteran

Media, Pa.

Kids have a good way at looking at events, situations

While going through some old folders, I came across a copy of a memorial I wrote for one of my dear aunts, who passed away more than 11 years ago. It’s titled “Treasure Chest.”

The inspiration for this came from my then 4-year-old grandson, whose first impression of viewing my aunt at the funeral home was “Nana, why is the lady in a treasure box?”

Interesting observation by a young child who only saw the beauty in a sad situation. My aunt looked so peaceful and beautiful while resting in a fancy casket surrounded by lavender and white flowers. Kids amaze me with their intuition and how they can put things into perspective in a way that adults cannot.

Just recently, my 7-year-old granddaughter was having a quiet night watching TV with her mom. She suddenly surprised her mom by bringing up a family illness that no one had made particular mention of in some time. As she was only 2½ when this happened, I suppose we never realized how deeply it affected her. She asked: “Mom, do you remember when Michael was going to die/”

Quite taken back by the question, my daughter quietly responded, “Yes.” Quite seriously, my granddaughter replied, “That makes me sad.” She then took her mom’s iPad and said she needed to hear some music. The song she chose was “Let It Go.” Her brother is now in remission after a successful bone marrow transplant three years ago. Coincidence? Maybe, but appropriate indeed.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love kids, having worked in preschool and being around so many since a very young age myself.

It never ceases to amaze me how intently children can be affected by what is going on around them. They may not show it, but they sure feel it.

Perhaps we all would be better off if we could relate to things in the same manner as a child.

Life is what we make it and it only comes around once. Learning to see things for what they are and dealing with what we can, while not blaming ourselves for what we have no control over, would most certainly be an asset to controlling our everyday frustrations.

Food for thought! “Let it go.”

Mary Barner

Vineland