Thank You For Your Service – Happy Veterans Day

How often do you forget to say thank you?

Many times, if we are all going, to be honest. No judgment. No one is at fault. You are about to say it, but you hesitate for a moment and the person you need to thank is gone.

I’m Gloria Moraga, this is One-On-One. Communication in the Digital Age.

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I thanked my father for many things in my life. Hell, he lived with me for the last 8 years of his life. But I don’t think I ever said, “Thank you for your service, Dad.”

My Father Served in the U.S. Navy

He was stationed in the Philippine Islands during World War Two. He was on a warship. He never talked about his service. Not really. All he ever offered was just that he joined the Navy when he was still 17 years old, and that he lied about his age. And he served in the Philippines.

That’s it. I asked him about it more than once, but I got no real response.

On this Veterans Day, I am thinking about Eddie Moraga and all the veterans I have known in my life and I am so thankful that they served this country.

I love this country. I have been shocked and saddened by the selfish way many of my countrymen and women reacted to the COVID Pandemic. I am appalled at the way 2021 began with antiracists and traitors trying to destroy the democratic process and our U.S. Capitol, attacking, and killing police, and trying to trample on the U.S. Constitution, as well.

I don’t think this is what our Veterans fought for.

It’s a Disgrace

Of course, there is so much we know now about how disgraceful many of our veterans are treated when they return home.

This information is from a study published in 2015, that showed 10 percent of Veterans screened were homeless another 5.3 percent were at risk for homelessness. That is approximately 10 times the rate of the general population.

Homeless Veterans are more likely to have an opioid addiction. 

Alcoholism and Veterans

The two veterans I was closest to, my father and my Uncle Robert, both suffered from Alcoholism. I’m not sure about the rest of my relatives.

Most, if not all, of my uncles served, many of my cousins, and many friends.

The video I created features some of my relatives. Their pictures are old and faded; the color has changed with age. And so have they.

Marine Steven Lopez

When I asked one of my closest cousin Stevie Lopez, for his military pictures, he said, I’ll see if I can dig them up. It was 50 years ago.

Fifty years ago. He joined the Marines in 1970. He was promoted to Sergeant in July 1972.

I graduated from High School in 1970; then I was in college, wearing Anti-Vietnam War T-shirts and drawing peace signs on my book covers.

We wrote letters to Stevie Lopez, our cousin, The Marine. Once, my cousin, Debbie Hill, sent him a letter, and she drew a psychedelic peace symbol on the envelope. When Stevie came home on leave, he said, please don’t do that again.

Why? We asked.

My D.I., Drill Instructure, made me eat it. That’s what he thinks of peace symbols.

When you serve in the Military, you march to the different drums.

It takes a remarkable man and an extraordinary woman to Serve.

To all the veterans I’ve known and loved, thank you. Thank you for your service to our country and for putting yourself in harm’s way so we were safe.

You Can’t Handle The Truth

Have you seen the great movie, directed by Rob Reiner, “A Few Good Men?”

It’s got a great cast, so well written.

There is a dramatic, climatic courtroom scene where the Tom Cruise character, Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a military lawyer, is cross-examining Col. Nathan R. Jessep, played by Jack Nickleson.

They are going at it back and forth. And at one point, the Nicholson character says, “Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded with guns. You don’t want the truth because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall; you need me on that wall.”

I agree with Jack Nickleson’s character; I want you on that wall; I need you on that wall.

Thank You For Your Service

Thank you for doing it. Thank you for your service.

Back to my first question. How often do you forget to say thank you? Take some time today to thank a veteran for their service.

I hope to have an exceptional guest next week on One-One-One.

Whistleblower Paula Pedene

Her name is Paula Pedene. She is a veteran, a whistleblower, and a good friend.

She has written a book with co-author Doug Williams called “A Sacred Duty.” It’s about Veteran’s Hospitals in the United States that delayed providing care for servicemen and women and then covered it up.

Paula blew the whistle on some of these administrators and was punished for it. The book gives us an inside look at what Whistleblowers must endure doing what is right.

I’m Gloria Moraga; please subscribe. The transcript of this podcast will be posted on my website, gloriamoraga.com. I’ll also have a link to information for Veterans. If you know a veteran, please share. And you can also watch the video I created to salute our veterans.