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Independence, MO —
It was time to take Dad to the VA Hospital for a check-up, and he wasn’t happy about it. Even though he’s mobile, walking or doing anything out of the ordinary makes him nervous.
I showed up an hour earlier than needed, as I had a feeling it was going to take some coaxing to get him into the car. Actually it took more than just coaxing to get his shoes on. He wasn’t talking, was less than cooperative and had a scowl on his face I hadn’t seen since my teenage years.
We finally made it to the car, and with little baby steps I got him maneuvered so all he had to do was sit on the seat of the car. We had a stand off right there in the parking lot. I’m trying to bear hug him down into the seat, and he’s pushing me backward.
Once we were on our way, he seemed interested in the scenery but still wasn’t a happy camper. I talked to him all the way there, but again no response, just an occasional evil eye like I was taking him away from his home and he had no idea who I was.
I can’t say enough about the good things happening at the VA Hospital. Years ago, the facility had developed a less than favorable reputation, but many changes have taken place since then. It’s been remodeled, and the clean, friendly environment is a place to find comfort and healing.
If you haven’t ever been there, you should. Not only to see the great things they offer for our veterans, but even more importantly, to get a wake-up call.
Since Dad wasn’t speaking to me, I had plenty of time to watch the people coming in for their appointments. There aren’t that many veterans Dad’s age, from World War II, they’re younger, much younger, as for the past nine years, the War in Iraq and Afghanistan has taken it’s toll, as we go about our busy lives.
I debated on writing this column now or saving it for Memorial Day weekend, when everyone talks about remembering and giving thanks to our military, but shouldn’t we be doing that every day, not just on a marked holiday?
I felt ashamed it took seeing these kids with the wounds of war to stop and remember we are still a country at war. It’s not over, family members are still being killed, and for many of the wounded, whether it’s from this war or another, nothing or no one can heal what pains them, as the memories will never go away.
Memorial Day brings a three-day weekend with barbecues, gathering with friends and family, but what does it mean to our veterans and active military? For those of us who have never experienced war, aside from the comfort of our living room, we can’t even begin to know what it feels like to have fought for our country.
All we can do is pray for those who are in harm’s way and say thanks to those who have served – and not just on Memorial Day.
It was time to take Dad to the VA Hospital for a check-up, and he wasn’t happy about it. Even though he’s mobile, walking or doing anything out of the ordinary makes him nervous.
I showed up an hour earlier than needed, as I had a feeling it was going to take some coaxing to get him into the car. Actually it took more than just coaxing to get his shoes on. He wasn’t talking, was less than cooperative and had a scowl on his face I hadn’t seen since my teenage years.
We finally made it to the car, and with little baby steps I got him maneuvered so all he had to do was sit on the seat of the car. We had a stand off right there in the parking lot. I’m trying to bear hug him down into the seat, and he’s pushing me backward.
Once we were on our way, he seemed interested in the scenery but still wasn’t a happy camper. I talked to him all the way there, but again no response, just an occasional evil eye like I was taking him away from his home and he had no idea who I was.
I can’t say enough about the good things happening at the VA Hospital. Years ago, the facility had developed a less than favorable reputation, but many changes have taken place since then. It’s been remodeled, and the clean, friendly environment is a place to find comfort and healing.
If you haven’t ever been there, you should. Not only to see the great things they offer for our veterans, but even more importantly, to get a wake-up call.
Since Dad wasn’t speaking to me, I had plenty of time to watch the people coming in for their appointments. There aren’t that many veterans Dad’s age, from World War II, they’re younger, much younger, as for the past nine years, the War in Iraq and Afghanistan has taken it’s toll, as we go about our busy lives.
I debated on writing this column now or saving it for Memorial Day weekend, when everyone talks about remembering and giving thanks to our military, but shouldn’t we be doing that every day, not just on a marked holiday?
I felt ashamed it took seeing these kids with the wounds of war to stop and remember we are still a country at war. It’s not over, family members are still being killed, and for many of the wounded, whether it’s from this war or another, nothing or no one can heal what pains them, as the memories will never go away.
Memorial Day brings a three-day weekend with barbecues, gathering with friends and family, but what does it mean to our veterans and active military? For those of us who have never experienced war, aside from the comfort of our living room, we can’t even begin to know what it feels like to have fought for our country.
All we can do is pray for those who are in harm’s way and say thanks to those who have served – and not just on Memorial Day.
