United Spinal Association’s Wounded Warrior Project is our way of reaching out to young soldiers returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world who need medical care. Because of our extensive background advocating for veterans health care benefits, we know how important it is to reach out to these young vets. As soon as they arrive at the military hospitals, we offer them the benefit of our experience and any support we can provide them and their families.
I’m pleased to say that our Wounded Warrior Project has resulted in some recognition among corporations as well as individuals wanting to do something concrete to support our soldiers who are in harm’s way around the world. This patriotic spirit and the desire to communicate to our fellow Americans that we stand by them—regardless of how we may feel about the conflicts—is often communicated by the display of yellow ribbons on bumper stickers and other places, which is heartening to see.
I was approached by someone recently who wanted more information about our Wounded Warrior Project and was of the opinion that displaying a yellow ribbon was not near enough to support the men and women who are fighting daily, getting wounded, and often sacrificing their lives at the front lines. I thought this fellow had a good point and wanted to let our readership know of other ways you can express your support. You can write to the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan via the Internet: www.OperationDearAbby.net. (Regular mail is apparently not being forwarded at this time unless it is addressed to a specific individual, because of an excess amount of paper mail.) When you write, remember these are young men and women in a foreign country who are far from their families and friends and their only source of support are their comrades; therefore, a few lines offering your sentiments for what they are going through and how you feel about their service would be most encouraging. Another way to support these brave soldiers is to make donations to organizations like ours that are offering tangible assistance to returning soldiers who have been rendered vulnerable through injuries incurred at the front lines. Lastly, you can volunteer at a military hospital if you have one near you, or at a VA hospital in your area, which is where veterans are transferred to complete their treatment.
It would be better by far that our country, and all countries in the world, were at peace and that there was no need for human sacrifice on various fronts. But such is not our reality, especially after the unprecedented events of September 2001. So, as long as we are putting our young men and women in harm’s way to guard our freedoms, let us be united in one thing: supporting our young soldiers who are fighting the battles we can no longer fight or could never fight.
Happy Holidays to you and yours. Until next month, pray for our troops, keep your annual appointments, and semper fi!
Peter F. Addesso
President
