Oxford Eagle
Local veterans rally causes with Washington delegation
By Editor
Last Saturday I was traveling to Washington, D.C., and missed the DAV, VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League and many other veterans who raised the flag at The Roundabout.
In Washington, the DAV Mid-Winter opening session started with welcoming remarks then the assembled got down to business with a Benefits Protection Workshop, Membership Workshop, Grassroots Advocacy and Resolution writing.
There were several workshops, but I opted to visit with our Mississippi delegation of Congressmen and Senators. While some other state delegations took taxis and Uber to the Capitol, the Mississippi Delegation of Disabled American Veterans chose to take the subway and walk.
The rallying cry for the group as we traveled underground and overland was, “Where is Harold? Has he caught up yet?”
Some of the issues brought before the Congressmen and Senators were sustaining VA healthcare by reforming infrastructure planning and funding; enhancing long-term care by providing assisted living and increasing caregiver support; expanding comprehensive dental care services.; modernizing and strengthening benefits for survivors; ensuring toxic-exposed veterans receive earned benefits in a timely manner; eliminating gaps in mental health care and suicide prevention with a focus on gender-tailored care; and protecting veterans’ benefits and services by ending offsets and budget caps that cut veterans funding.
We talked with Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith. The Representatives we talked with were Bennie Thompson and Michael Guest. The staff of Trent Kelly and Mike Ezell listened to our presentations. All Congressmen and Senators pledged support for veterans.
The Mississippi DAV delegation made our issues known not as lobbyists but as veterans who could show up and be a voice for other disabled and disabled working veterans.
Veterans depend on the VA system to bind up the wounds of war, of service and sacrifice. As service members we did not choose our fight, declare who our enemy would be or send ourselves into harm’s way. We went where we were told and did our duty as the President and Congress saw fit to command us.
As veterans we spent our youth and prime years going where others would not go and doing what others would not do in service to the nation. The DAV appreciated the opportunity to advocate for our brothers and sisters.
I wanted to be at the Roundabout on Feb. 22. On return from Washington, I listened with the pride the veterans told of lifting the huge flag into the sky.
Several veterans proudly pointed out that at no time did the heavy flag touch the ground.
Veterans embraced the flag as it hoisted aloft, veterans who only let go of the colors to let it fly free.