LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: A proper thanks...

Like Rob Bates said in his column that sits next to this one in the print edition for Veterans Day, the “Thank you for your service” messages he gets each year on this holiday to honor living veterans can come across as uninformed, though well-intentioned and appreciated, nonetheless.  

Many veterans agree, and, honestly, we feel a little bit uncomfortable being thanked for something that we figured was simply the right thing to do. We served for a variety of reasons. We needed a job. The family has a tradition of service. We wanted to serve something greater than ourselves. We wanted the education benefits. We needed a place to grow up. Other reasons and a mix of reasons all woven together into just what we did because it was the right decision at the time.  

Honestly, I appreciate a “Thank you for your service.” I always feel a bit uncomfortable, but I’ve come to appreciate the intent and understand that people often realize their lack of true understanding for what service members go through.  

On the one hand, we get a load of benefits from our service. A sense of purpose. Friendships that stick with us for life. Opportunities to see the world. Training, education and job skills. Someone to verbally kick our butts so we get our lives together.  

On the other hand, it’s a hard lifestyle. I was never deployed to combat. Both of my deployments were for major training exercises. However, that doesn’t mean it was easy. My unit in Germany supported operations in Bosnia, repairing, refurbishing and painting vehicles. Generally, we worked about 18 hours a day, six days a week for about a year and a half. Over the course of my four years, I had four broken bones, multiple injuries requiring stitches and, apparently, exposure to “minor levels of radiation.”  

Many of those I served with stayed in the military, whether they were Army, Marines or Air Force. Some died in countries on the other side of the world. Some died of illnesses that were obviously connected to their service. Others eventually left the military with a variety of health problems, both physical and mental: suicides, substance abuse, domestic issues, cancers and other issues pretty much across the board.  

That said, here’s how I would like to be thanked for my service.  

First, consider the immature nattering being put out by both the Republicans and Democrats during this government shutdown. Consider the wringing of hands and lack of funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Consider that the political showboating and talking points, regardless of party, are as much a show to help them get reelected as anything else.  

Then, get mad. Send them letters or call their offices. Demand that they start doing their jobs and taking care of veterans instead of looking for job security or toeing the party line.  

This shutdown is hurting veterans, making an under-resourced department – VA – less effective than it already was. Under the shutdown, programs like Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment, counseling, transition assistance and outreach programs designed to help veterans are experiencing increased delays or outright closures. Nearly 37,000 VA staff are furloughed or working without pay. Transportation programs to help vets get services are reduced or shut down entirely. Claims are being processed more slowly, and VA staff are unable to respond to veterans’ inquiries promptly.  

I don’t receive any benefits at this point. My benefits at work take care of my needs for counseling, medication and arthritis meds. But I’m mad as hell when I see my brothers and sisters in service not being taken care of, whether there’s a shutdown or not.  

I think you should be, too.  

Even when the VA is running normally, it is still understaffed, underfunded and difficult to access. Add to that the fact that many veterans utilize programs like SNAP, education assistance and other social programs run by the federal government, and veterans are hit harder by shutdowns than the general population. They’ve sacrificed enough, and these additional challenges shouldn’t rest so hard on their shoulders while politicians hold press conferences. 

Let Dan Newhouse, Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Michael Baumgartner, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Emily Randall, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith and Marilyn Strickland know how you feel. They all need to stop spinning the situation and get a solution in place. Too many people are hurting as a result of this situation. Visit Congress.gov to find their contact information and be heard.  

That’s a thank you for veterans that will have real meaning.

In appreciation for my fellow veterans and a community that supports all veterans.

R. Hans "Rob" Miller
Managing Editor
Columbia Basin Herald
Basin Business Journal