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.”