Not long ago I was asked where I get my material for each column. Well, it is everywhere. In conversation, most veterans are willing to tell their stories to other veterans because they know we understand or can relate to the circumstances. Filing a claim and the difficulties associated with the Veterans Administration (VA) and all the red tape is probably one of the most common conversations that comes up. Veterans who have to fight the VA for benefits earned, and in most instances a civilian has no idea the stress this can cause a veteran and his or her family. Abuse of alcohol, drugs, domestic violence, post traumatic stress and suicide are in the news every day. My material concerning veterans, and the issues we have to deal with are endless.

I think that the one thing that probably affects me the most is a veteran’s funeral. We have all attended a funeral for a family member or a friend but, a veteran’s funeral is different. How, you wonder? Well, first of all, a veteran is a brother or sister that we have come to know very well, and in some cases, we know them better than their family. We have heard their stories of battles and duty stations and have grown to love their friendship. It is a bond that only a service member can understand. All of us veterans grow old together, we hold each other in high regard for the service and sacrifice we have given to this country of ours, and in the end we know each one of us will be buried with honors by our fellow veterans. Often the family never knows such details or the bonds the veteran has made over the years.

Another thing that I realize by association with my fellow veterans is service to other veterans. The friendships that are started are everlasting. That bond I talked about earlier, the need to get others involved with the veterans’ organizations, to help get those veterans in need headed in the right direction, if only to lend an ear and listen to their problems. I run into veterans every day who need to register with the VA for health benefits. Usually, it only takes talking with the veteran and describing the importance it is to their family to get them started. I have seen too many families bury loved ones who never applied for their veteran benefits and then wonder why they never did. Service to veterans also means to support the veterans’ organizations. It is not enough just to belong. Belonging does help the organizations to lobby Congress to keep the benefits that each one of us have earned. There are many out there that are members of the veteran’s organizations and they will tell you that. When you ask them why they do not attend the meetings or help out, they always have a reason. You are the veteran that is needed. Your help is needed more than you know. If the veterans’ organization’s do not increase their memberships, someday we may not have veterans’ organizations to help save the benefits that we all have earned. Whose funding always gets cut first when the budget is discussed? Memorial Day has just passed and the American Legion and VFW were out distributing Freedom Flowers and Buddy Poppies. The funds that are raised by this effort go directly to helping veterans in need in our community. These funds can not be used for any other purpose but to help our veterans. It is an important program and fills a need that the public never sees. When distributing The Freedom Flower and Buddy Poppies it always surprises me how many people have no idea what Memorial Day is really about, the meanings of the flowers, and that this special day is for remembering those veterans who have sacrificed their lives to preserve a way of life we all enjoy. To those of you that revel your rude mannerisms and gestures to us veterans who are providing a service to our veterans and community by distributing these flowers, I say to you, “This country gives you the right to express your views and your feelings because of the sacrifice of men and women buried in our own cemetery. Your rudeness and gestures do not hurt me much. They do disgrace those veterans that have given you that right. Next time just say “thank you.” We do not need your contribution that bad. Robert Valencia is a retired Army Sergeant First Class, a member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Reach him at (970) 560-1891. Please tune into Veterans Forum at 8:30 a.m. the last Friday of the month on KSJD 90.5 FM radio.