A Different Lens Mental Health Monthly By RanDee McLain, LCSW
Veterans Day Many years ago, my best friend and I started calling the 6 to 8 weeks leading up to Veterans DayVeteran’s season.
This season is jammed packed with preparation and events. We prepare for the Military Women’s Luncheon, Operation Dress Code, Veteran of the Year, Veterans Treatment Court Celebrations and so much more. This year Veteran’s season looks very different. There will be no large gatherings, no parades, and little celebrations. I recently was asked what Veteran’s day means to me. It took me a few minutes to think about that question. Every year since I left the service my Veteran’s Day and Season was spent working or in some way supporting our Veteran community here in San Diego. It was only 2 years ago when I was working in a nonmilitary focused program that I had the opportunity to do what ‘I’ wanted on Veteran’s Day. I heard from a friend about a Veteran’s Day hike. This hike is called the Warrior hike and is put together by the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department. The hike takes place on El Cajon Mountain in the El Capitan County Preserve. There are three levels to this hike: Bootcamp which is designed for beginners; Recon which is designed for more moderately experienced hikers and the Warrior which is the most challenging. The Warrior is 13 miles total. Have you ever heard the old saying our parents or grandparents would say…..”back in my day- I had to walk to school uphill both ways!” 34
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / NOVEMBER 2020
Well apparently, all those parents and grandparents went to school on El Cap! It is a beast! This is truly an amazing way ‘I’ celebrate my service. Being one with nature grounds me- it is where I find peace and am reenergized. Make no mistake- it is HARD mentally and physically, but it makes the challenge worth it. Each year, we question our decision to do it but when you get to the top there is nothing more rewarding. This is how ‘I’ chose to celebrate Veteran’s Day. There is no better feeling then making it to the top and just enjoying God’s country. It almost seems cliché, but I feel so -All American- as sit at the top with my PB & J and peak beer (IPA of course). Of course, I wear my most patriotic work out attire to top it off. Although, I am proud of my service and choose to celebrate Veteran’s Day in my own way- I know that is not the same for all Veterans. We all served differently, experienced things differently and want to celebrate differently. Some Veterans really want the big celebrations and sharing this day with family and friends. Others may prefer a quieter day of reflection. There may still be others that choose not to recognize the day at all. That is what is great about America and the rights we defend….we can all celebrate in a way that is meaningful to us. Veteran’s Day is a day special and different to each Veteran. To the Veteran’s reading this – this is your day. Choose to celebrate in whatever way is right for you!! To the allies please support the veterans in your life and their way of celebrating or not celebrating. Stay safe!! See you in Dec. Hug a Veteran - (ok social distance -virtual hugs!!)