By Harold Brummett

Star Denmark Route

 

The Disabled American Veterans monthly meeting at the Veterans Hut was canceled last Saturday due to the weather. I received a call on Friday from John Mobley suggesting that I look at the weather and then further suggesting I consider canceling. Thank heavens for First Sergeants. 

No doubt at the Pearly Gates there will be a First Sergeant or Sergeant Major sitting by Saint Peter suggesting how things should go and lending a bit of experience and common sense to the Almighty. 

I enjoy the veterans. The Marines in the group take most of the ribbing and give most of it out. Make no mistake, Veterans can pick at one another but like family but someone who hasn’t ‘been there’ shouldn’t comment. The veterans organizations in town care for veterans and their causes. 

The huge VA bureaucracy takes a team effort to unravel and anecdotes and experiences are shared at the meetings to help each other. 

Four organizations share the Veterans Hut. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Marine Corps League. The Auxiliary organizations meet there as well and consist of spouses and supporters of veterans and their causes. 

The Veterans Hut has been used by ROTC and the Scouts as well.  Some Veterans belong to one or two of the organizations, some belong to all of them. Each organization supports the other. 

The World War II veterans are about gone now and the Vietnam veterans are getting long in the tooth. Unfortunately, there seems to be an unending supply of conflicts our elected officials find for us to do. 

The younger veterans are in the midst of raising families and working so we don’t get to see them much. The organizations are here to help navigate the labyrinth of the Veterans Administration. Just as importantly, these organizations listen to someone who has ‘borne the battle’ and needs an understanding ear.

The organizations all meet at Veterans Drive. The Marine Corps League meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. The Veterans of Foreign Wars meet the second Tuesday at 6 p.m. The American Legion meets the second Thursday at 6 p.m. and the Disabled American Veterans meet the third Saturday at noon. 

Find a Veterans organization that meets your needs. No matter if you have a problem you need to talk out, need someone to listen to or just want to speak to someone who speaks the same language there is a veterans organization in town for you. 

Pick one. Show up. Your brothers and sisters are there.