Veterans Corner

Commentary by John Kearns, USCG Ret., chiefkearns@gmail.com

“Yes, our nation created millions of warrior refugees with no outlet to bring them back into society. When our Service Organizations are most required, they are in the most need themselves.”

When our service organizations were created and chartered, there was great need and purpose with millions of war veterans returning home from World Wars. At the time, the VA was and did minimal for the returning veterans, caring only for the obvious wounded. VFWs, American Legions, more senior veterans and other service organizations (SOs) took in the thousands of incoming troops edging them back into society. Thousands of Ladies Auxiliary members and community volunteers set themselves to the task of welcoming them back and desensitizing them from war and the ordeals they lived with. The senior veterans working with the community helped find them jobs, talked them through hard times, and accepted them home.

Our young returning troops get all the counseling they want from strangers, many who never served in any military, a group of professionals with a set of answers for war-returning veterans facing a hostile world. At our VFWs and American Legions, we have something all these programs can never hope to achieve, real war veterans who have “Been there, Did That!” girls’ softball team for the junior high school.

February 3 will be a busy night, noted vonFrisch. In addition to basketball games, the cross-country team will receive their championship trophy, AND the girls’ softball team will receive their trophy from two years ago that was delayed by COVID. It is also senior awards night. Basketball starts that night with the JV game at 6:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremonies and the varsity game.

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The older veterans with the WWII, KOREA, and VIETNAM DESERT STORM hats have more to offer young veterans with just a discussion than all the pro counselors have in all their programs. That older Marine who now makes breakfast has more to say to a young Marine than any college intern can grasp. Honest life advice and information from an older warrior who made it in life, given freely to a young warrior fighting to make it.

Many do not realize the total value of our SOs, and just how hard the auxiliaries and volunteers work to keep these organizations going. These SOs receive no funding from any source but what they make on their own. Block shoots, picnics, and fundraisers are needed to keep going and provide the valuable services they do.

As a young veteran, I initially couldn’t see the need for these old veteran clubs; why would many young vets want to hang out with the old war story vets in a VFW? But when you or someone close is in need, you realize these clubs are invaluable for the next generations to maintain honor, tradition, ceremony, and recognition of service. Our world is moving fast, with too many electronics, social networks, and programming. I hope that many will realize the need for our veteran SOs before they become so overlooked they need to shut down. What generation will fill in for the hard-working auxiliaries that keep these organizations open and running? At what age will veterans step up and keep fighting for the rights and privileges earned over the years by many who went before them? Following WWI and WWII, veterans had to fight Congress to grant them charters for our SOs; now, we have to wonder who will fight the fight to keep them.

VFW breakfast

VFW 6615 of White Haven will sponsor an allyou-can-eat breakfast Sun., Feb. 12, 8 a.m. to noon. The menu includes eggs (made to order), pancakes, French toast, waffles, potatoes, sausage, bacon, toast (white, wheat or rye), orange juice, coffee, and tea. The price is $9 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Take-outs are 50¢ extra and are not all you can eat. For information call 570-443-3333.