Giving Back to Our Veterans

Every year on Nov. 11, citizens throughout our great state and nation pause to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, whether during a time of war or peace. While Memorial Day was originally set aside as a day of remembrance for all those who died in service to their country, Veterans Day is largely intended to give thanks to our living veterans for their contributions and sacrifices.

There are very few of us who have not personally known a veteran. They are our grandparents, parents, spouses, children, siblings, friends, neighbors and work colleagues. They could’ve taken many different paths, but they chose to dedicate themselves to defending our freedoms and protecting our nation and citizenry. Although we may never truly be able to repay our veterans, there are many opportunities for us to honor them and give back.

This Veterans Day, I challenge you to find some way, no matter how big or small, to show your support for our veterans, current servicemen and women, and even our heroic four-legged friends. Here are several great places to start:

Wounded Warrior Project – Serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and their families;

USO – Strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation;

Homes for Our Troops – Builds specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan; and

The United States War Dogs Association – Works to promote, educate and honor our nation’s war dogs and their handlers: past, present and future.

I would also encourage you to learn more about the Missouri Veterans History Project (MVHP). It is the mission of this wonderful nonprofit organization to ensure that future generations are able to hear the stories of Missouri’s veterans in their original, authentic voices. Veterans from all wars are invited to share their stories. Recordings are provided to veterans free of charge and then made available to the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Library of Congress. The MVHP has working chapters across the state in the St. Louis, Troy, Columbia, Warrensburg, Boonville and Tarkio areas. Volunteers are needed to serve as site coordinators, interviewers or videographers and can also help by offering a hall or meeting place to conduct workshops or interviews. To contact the MVHP, call (573) 522-4220 or email info@mvhp.net.

To the veterans and current military personnel reading this, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your selflessness and courage are a daily inspiration to the citizens of this country. To the families of the men and women who have served or are currently serving, thank you for always demonstrating such great faith and strength in the face of uncertainty; our country would not be what it is today without your unfailing love and support. Take care and God Bless.

As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.