Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Yes and no


Veteran's Day is this Sunday. Did you know that? I hope so, but if not, now would be the time to educate yourself (for instance, it lands on the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I). It's important for us as a nation to remember those men and women who have done their civic duty through military service, especially those unfortunate enough to be called during a time of war. It's important that we remember and support them all year round, but I'm also glad that we have a specific holiday set aside for them as well.

It's not often that I find myself commending the actions of the College Republicans, but I was pleased to read an article in The Badger Herald that mentioned their efforts to raise money for the Madison Veteran's Center. Too often, politicians and other public figures pay a lot of lip service to taking care of our vets, only to fall woefully short when it comes to actually taking action. President Bush is guilty of this, but the guilt spans the partisan and professional gap, too.

Just recently, charges of embezzlement were filed against the spokesman for Wisconsin's largest nursing home for veterans. Stealing in general is bad form, but stealing from retired veterans especially is pretty damn low.

In any case, good on the College Republicans for making sure attention is brought to the holiday and for taking positive action to help (though I'm a little confused about the direction the BH article then takes, as it talks about them hosting a talk by a local global warming critic--why can't you let me have my little moment of respect for the CR's, Badger Herald, why??).

For a list of Veteran's Day events taking place in the area, click here.


(photo credit: State Historical Society of Wisconsin)
The Lost Albatross