Coming Home

We are a nation that is proud of its military, its rich heritage and its leadership on the world stage.   We especially appreciate the men and women who have proudly served, shown great courage under fire and true devotion to duty.  Words cannot fully express the deepest admiration towards these men and women, who have stood the watch and defended the values of the nation over the centuries.      

It is more profound when considering the number of service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the missing-in-action, the wounded, endured being a POW, and those who suffered service connected injuries.  Even more moving in which words cannot fully express the feelings of the families of the fallen, they continue each day to endure the pain of losing a love from military service.  They rightly deserve our prayers, considerations and ongoing support.   

A Historical View

It goes without saying that the US Military is what sets the nation apart from other countries and continues to make America a world leader.  The current military structure came into being in 1971, when President Richard Nixon signed a new law that ended the military draft as we knew it and put the selective service structure on standby.  And after a two year review the draft formally ended in January 1973.  This resulted in what is called today an “All-Volunteer Force.”

Since its emergence, the All-Volunteer Force (AVF) concept has served the nation well in times of conflict and during peace times.  From Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and countless other missions, today’s military with all its reserves and special units continue to maintain the watch.  However, it also continues to have its supporters and its critics.  On one side, there has been an increase in the proficiency and professionalism of the force, the number of women serving, marital status, and educational level.  On the other hand, the socioeconomic status of the force shows that most recruits are coming from middle and lower middle income families, people of color are over represented, and there still remain restrictions on career options.          

A Grateful Nation       

Throughout the decades, Vets have been coming home from long deployments, extended periods of separation, the front lines, training missions and surges.  Coming home is to be a time of celebration and a reunion with family and friends.  However, for many coming home means facing unemployment, homelessness, suffering from PTSD, mental illness, lingering health challenges, drug and alcoholic additions. 

The legacy of faithful service from the All-Volunteer Force has created an opportunity for the   nation to meet the needs of those returning from service.  These men and women, who answered the call, wore the uniform, stood the watch, completed the mission; deserve an opportunity of a good job, education and quality of life.  There is a need to ensure that those who served are not forgotten, thrown to the side or used up.  For, we must always remember that “Freedom is Not Free.”  

Looking Towards The Rainbow

The appearance of a rainbow in the sky is quite amazing… although there is not a set pattern on how often a rainbow will occur.   However, according to experts the phenomenon occurs when precipitation falls and there is sun at the same time.  It is when the angle of the sun reflects off moisture or water drops in the air which then acts like a prism.  The result is a multicolored arc that always appears in the sky directly opposite the sun.  In some cases double arcs can also appear.

Reflections

It is said that there is a primary rainbow, in which the arc shows red on the outer part and violet on the inner side.  This is caused by light being refracted while entering a droplet of water, then reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracting again when leaving it.  There is nothing quite like it… to see a rainbow in the sky.  It is a light show that makes you stop what you are doing and to gaze upward and marvel at its beauty.   

The natural phenomenon of the rainbow continues to impact our society and world each day.  It plays a big part in culture, mythology, religion, spirituality, diversity, art, literature, and music.  Over the years a number of companies, schools, and organizations have used the rainbow as a concept in which to promote their mission and vision.

What Do You See?

In countless ways the rainbow is a symbol of hope, promise and purpose.  It can appear at any time or any place when rain falls and the sun shines.  It is reflective of our need to look up and see the beauty that is all around us, regardless of current situations or what neighborhood one lives in.  What is seen on the outside does not truly reflect the process of what is happening from the inside. 

The rainbow has no preference, no prejudice, and no political views.  It is something that mankind cannot control and yet it points to a need for greater understanding, tolerance, and unity.  Its appearance always demonstrates in full view that all colors help to make the rainbow a true symbol of inclusiveness and lasting value in a changing world.  In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale, (played by Julie Garland) sings a song entitled, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow… way up high, There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.  Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.”  

So, the next time you see rainbows in the sky… take a few moments… and look up.   

Community Partnerships: What Does It Look Like?

“What you know has no value; unless who you know is aware that you know something of value”… do you catch my drift!  Or, “It’s not who you know, It’s who knows you.”  Or, “I know somebody that knows somebody, who has those kinds of connections.” Can you feel me!   Either way…you get the point...  

Since the emergence of the World Wide Web, computers, smart phones, tablets, new technologies, satellite and social media, the way we connect with each other has changed drastically.  Gone are the days of operators, phone banks, party lines, and the infamous neighborhood phone booth.  Additionally, other forms of communication have changed as well including land lines, telegraphs, pagers, dial-ups, faxes, emails, answering services, microphones, musical recordings, newspapers, magazines, radio and television.  The impact of these changes and the accessibility to information 24/7 has altered the way we conduct business and how we engage socially.       

Going Old School

The need to network and to effectively communicate with others continues to be the number one item on a long list of things to remember.  Even with the advances in technology, nothing has replaced the need to establish and maintain long term relationships and partnerships.  The agency, business, or organization that does a great job of keeping its customer base connected and is able to hook up with new potential customers will always remain open for business. On the other hand, if a poor job is done, then the “going out of business sign” is just ahead.    

Call me old fashion or old school… it was the way real business was done back in the day…and it seems that this old fashion method of doing business has never left… or rather; we don’t notice it that much anymore, or it is called something else or have we have lost our connections.  This old fashion method continues to be the way to get things done.  It is getting to know people, the hand shake, looking in the eye, talk things over, enjoy some time together, the meet and greed kind of things.  Additionally it included questions, “Can I get you anything?” “How is the family?” “Are you comfortable?” In addition, you perhaps talked about community events, shared stories, photos, values, politics and sports.  This was all part of the deal even when the answer was no.  This was called back in the day “common custody and mutual respect.”   

I am Here for You

Helen Keller, a noticed literary writer, speaker and lecturer, who was blind and deaf since childhood learned how to overcome her numerous disabilities to  graduate from Radcliff College with a BA degree, authored twelve books, championed charity initiatives on the behalf of people with disabilities, receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom and inspired others to make the world a better place.  She once stated that “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” 

Like Helen Keller, Urban America needs people to work together for the good of all.  It needs more connectors, facilitators, and pathfinders to help overcome the long list of handicaps of neighborhoods in the 21^st century.  To overcome the issues of poverty, homelessness, crime, abuse, drugs, health, housing, unemployment and gangs.  It needs more people that can work together, regardless of their beliefs, race, political party or background.  It also requires people to be able to connect with resource people, officials, agencies and tap into available governmental services.  These are people who are not afraid to get out of their comfort zone and build bridges, form alliances and hob nob with civic leaders, business leaders, community advocates and residents.         

All great cities, who are actively engaged with its residents in building great neighborhoods, find ways to invest and foster meaningful partnerships for positive change and growth.  In the long term, collaboration always produces worthwhile results and any problem is not that big.  Our working together will always be a work in progress and never an end all …or be all… for it is about our journey together for positive change that makes it all meaningful.    

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