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Military Yearbook 2014
THE ARMS FORCES
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Support our troops
have never been a history buff, yet I find it fascinating how the military of our great country evolved into its current branches: the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. The present structure is a result of the National Security Act of 1947. This is the same act that restructured the War Department into the Department of Defense. But it all began with the Continental Army, which was formed June 14, 1775, Pam after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War and disbanded in 1783. The 1st and 2nd Regiments then became the Legion of the United States under Gen. Anthony Wayne, becoming the foundation of what is now the U.S. Army in 1796. History is important because the men and women who serve today carry with them the sacrifices, commitment, strength and honor of all those who served before them. They leave their loved ones, the comforts of home, their friends, their jobs and their entire lives behind to stand side by side with their military brothers and sisters to protect the approximately 93 percent of us who have never served. It is a call of duty most of us will never experience. Yet we experience the great benefits bought by the 7 percent who have sacrificed beyond measure. Though the demographics of the military, the enemies they fight and the warfare technology they use changed over the years, some facts remain the same. I don’t believe anyone truly wants war, but it has been a part of our world from the beginning of time. War is a thing. Military members are people. No matter your stance on war, we all need to stand up and support our military members and their families. When someone serves, their loved ones also serve. These heroes behind the heroes are often forgotten. When a soldier, airman, sailor or Marine gets deployed, there is almost always a family left behind that needs the support of their community. Seek out these families and find a way to support them, which doesn’t always mean spending money. A mother might need help with cutting the grass. A parent at your child’s school might appreciate a little extra help. A mother whose child has gone off to war might be grateful to share a cup of coffee and the chance to talk about her concerns for her “baby,” no matter the age of the
military member. When a service member doesn’t make it home from war alive, there is a family who will never be the same. Again, listening without judgment, even when you feel you have no words to ease the pain, will be appreciated. Today we have the highest survival rates for those who have been deployed to warzones. Modern medicine keeps alive many who might have perished in the past, but with physical and Hays mental injuries not seen before in our returning military. The needs of our visibly and invisibly wounded veterans are growing and the responsibility is on each of us to do our part to ease their recoveries and reintegrations. We can do more to help than we ever thought we could do. I know this because as a civilian and survivor of a severe traumatic brain injury, I thought once that I was not capable or knowledgeable enough to offer much assistance. Wow, was I proven wrong! You, too, can make a difference. Don’t overthink it. The military does have a culture that the rest of us will never understand fully. But don’t allow that to interfere with your ability as a human to have an impact on another human being. It doesn’t take a medical degree to be able to help. It only takes an open heart, ears that listen without judgment and a spirit of kindness to ensure our military and former military know they are cared about. Throwing a parade and waving a flag is great, but time spent getting to know them and their families and going to community events to support them and learn more about the path they have walked is even better. Love and understanding can go a long way toward healing and can open doors to new opportunities — for them as well as for you; giving is receiving! Love and understanding can help us become a nation that shows its greatness not only in the power of its military, but in the power of its citizens to unite with the military, our veterans and their families to create communities that give and give back. That is some amazing history in the making that you can be a part of. O Pam Hays is president and founder of The Arms Forces, www.thearmsforces.org; (419) 891-2111.
A Toledo tradition since 2005 ToledoFreePress.com
June 29, 2014
Guest column
Land of the free, home of the brave
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n a letter to his wife Abigail, John challenges, it is imperative we continue Adams wrote: “The Second Day of to support our troops both in the field July 1776, will be the most memo- and upon their return home. We need to look no rable Epocha, in the Hisfurther than Toledo’s tory of America. I am apt own 180th Fighter Wing to believe that it will be of the Ohio Air National celebrated, by succeeding Guard to see the paGenerations, as the great antriots who make up our niversary Festival. It ought military. These brave to be commemorated, as men and women are the Day of Deliverance by our first line of defense solemn Acts of Devotion to in protecting the secuGod Almighty. It ought to be rity of our nation in the solemnized with Pomp and Rep. Bob LATTA air, and we are honored Parade, with Shews, Games, and proud to call them Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this members of our community. Our serContinent to the other from this Time vice members live by a creed that stresses forward forever more. You will think commitment and dedication not only to me transported with Enthusiasm but I one another, but also to our country. On am not. I am well aware of the Toil and a daily basis, they volunteer themselves, Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to making selfless sacrifices in the name of maintain this Declaration, and support freedom — a further testament to their and defend these States. Yet through all character and heroism. Despite difficult budgetary times, it the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End remains critical that we provide our miliis more than worth all the Means. And tary men and women with the necessary that Posterity will tryumph in that Days resources to complete current missions Transaction, even altho We should rue it, and defend against future threats. We must also ensure that both they and their which I trust in God We shall not.” While Adams may have been off by families have the resources to navigate two days, the Fourth of July is a day for all the physical and mental stresses that can Americans to remember. Our Founding result from combat. The U.S. Congress Fathers laid the framework for what has has passed annual legislation to provide become the greatest nation on Earth, for a strong national defense and support and it is because of the selfless sacrifices our troops and their families. However, of our troops that these values have held as increasingly evidenced by reports restrong. Benjamin Franklin, in response garding the Department of Veterans Afto a Philadelphia woman’s question as to fairs’ (VA) mishandling of our veterans’ what form of government the Constitu- care, our country has not fulfilled all of tional Convention had given them, aptly its promises to our troops and veterans. The care of our veterans is neither replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” Continuous threats have challenged partisan nor political. Members from our Republic, but our military has never both sides of the aisle, including mywavered and has remained steadfast in self, have been outraged by the terrible its resolve. As we face new and evolving failings at the VA, and we will not stand
for the continued runaround we have received from the administration. Secret lists, unacceptable wait times and lengthy appeals processes have come to define our veterans’ health care system, and it is time for us to defend our nation’s heroes. Therefore, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed multiple pieces of legislation to eliminate the current culture of mistruths and complacency, as well as prevent these injustices from occurring in the future. One of the most disconcerting aspects of the VA crisis is that these issues could have been prevented. We have made a promise to our nation’s heroes and have a duty to uphold our commitment. As more veterans return from overseas missions and veterans from previous wars require greater care, we must ensure they are treated with the same dignity and honor with which they served our country. Our service members put their lives on the line daily, so that we may continue to call this country the land of the free and the home of the brave. As we celebrate our freedoms and honor those who are currently serving, those who have served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, let us also uphold our promise to our veterans by ensuring they have the care they need. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all who are wearing or have worn our nation’s uniform — one words alone cannot express. It is because of their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, that we can be so proud to call this country our home. God bless our nation’s heroes and their families, and God bless the United States of America! O
meaning behind the word “sacrifice.” I think as a society we use the word way too loosely. After the cemetery photo shoot, the Eckerts, TFP Managing Editor Sarah Ottney and I ventured to the very place where Myles changed the world with a Post-It note. It was during this lunch that I learned what the word really means. I watched a 10-year-old girl spontaneously erupt into tears after hearing her mom recount the story of saying a final goodbye to her dad at the Toledo Express Airport. Marlee’s tears and the sadness behind them showed the pain she carries every day for a man she knew for only the first two years of her life. It was at this moment that I understood what price was paid and who was paying it. Marlee and Myles Eckert are living their lives burdened by the price of our
freedom. These beautiful children, with their oversized hearts, have no idea about war, foreign politics or diplomacy. They know the game of tag, how to give a great hug and are experts with a Cracker Barrel menu. One day I hope they’ll learn how they’ve inspired a nation to do something nice and unexpected for someone else. What better teachers than Gold Star children? One day I hope they understand they taught me what the word “sacrifice” means. It has been an honor to share their story and I can’t wait to write the next chapter. This 2014 Military Yearbook is dedicated to all the children of those who never came home. O
n BAUMHOWER CONTINUED FROM 3 I am one of the fortunate; I have yet to lose a family member or friend to a war. When I made the call to TFP Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller pitching this idea two years ago, I knew it was something that could be beautiful. Seeing picture after picture of those who currently serve or have served in the two previous Military Yearbooks and reading the words that accompanied them confirmed the beauty of my dream. Last year I was privileged to share a picture of my grandfather, Pete Zunk, during his time in Germany. His two years of military service gave Pete enough stories to fill every holiday and birthday over the past 60 years. I am alive and writing this because he came home. It wasn’t until recently that I came to fully comprehend the weight and
Rep. Bob Latta (R) is the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District.
Jeremy Baumhower can be reached at jeremytheproducer@icloud.com or on Twitter @jeremytheproduc.