Take the time to honor our veterans year-round

If you missed Veterans Day, know that it is never too late to thank a man or woman who served in the country’s military. Brunswick and the Golden Isles observed the special occasion along with the rest of the nation on Wednesday. That veterans should be honored with special ceremonies is perfectly logical in Glynn County, the county with the 30th largest population of veterans among Georgia’s 159 counties. Some 5,000 reside in this coastal community, most of them having served in the Gulf from 2001 to the present day. The headcount is a ballpark figure reported by the U.S. Census Bureau Community from data tracked by Glynn County Veterans Service Office. Between now and the next Veterans Day observance, a simple “thank you for your service” will do. You might even offer your hand for a friendly handshake as further demonstration of your appreciation. Either or both is a good way to express gratitude for their sacrifice, especially for those who experienced combat or combat conditions. It can be difficult for any man or woman raised in peace to take up arms. But when the nation calls, Americans answer. They have since the French and Indian War in 1754 and they are today in our nation’s ongoing struggle against terrorism. In addition to personally thanking a veteran, Americans can show appreciation for their service by making sure the nation lives up to the promises made to them. This has not always been the case. There have been abuses, some of which have led to the deaths of these brave patriots. Perhaps the biggest often-cited abuse is the nation’s failure to provide proper healthcare, physical or mental, at times. The Department of Veterans Affairs claims it is trying, but there are times when the care of veterans is inferior to services provided in the private sector or, worse, are non-existent. In 2014, scandal rocked the VA and included what was known as “secret waiting” lists. An investigation by the VA Inspector General discovered that veterans requiring care were added to these secret lists to conceal the long delays in tending to their needs. In Phoenix, Arizona, 17 veterans on just such a list died for lack of medical attention. Another 18 died who were on a list of 1,700 veterans that acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson said were “at risk of being lost or forgotten.” Thank those who defend our nation and tell your senators and representatives in Congress to make sure America lives up to its promises to those who serve. We owe that to them.