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Veterans Day 2022

11/11/2022

28 Comments

 
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Today is Veterans Day in the United States, and I'd like to share a personal story. 

In my pre-retirement years, I worked at a college in southern California near the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Many returning servicemen enrolled in classes. They went from the warzone of Afghanistan to a privileged setting of lattes and frisbees. The culture shock was profound.

These young men, and a few women, had no place to gather, and they clearly needed each other. I turned my office suite into a Veterans Center and took a small office. Soon the place was bustling.

What I didn't expect was how transformative this experience would be for me.

Firsthand I saw the impact of war. Physical, mental, and emotional. I heard and saw things that broke my heart, and slowly these brave young people became family. I've many stories, but there is one I'd like to share with you today.

An Army Ranger veteran came to me. He looked like a Hollywood movie star, but below his exterior, he carried experiences few could imagine. He explained that he had been promised an education, but at the college he was considered a non-resident. This meant his classes would cost a fortune. He said, "I don't know what to do. This is my only home. I have no other. Why must I pay out-of-state tuition when non-citizens are considered residents?"

He was not being political. He simply stated facts. I met with college officials and did what I could, but ultimately, this young man returned to Special Forces. He explained, "It's something I do well, and I can't make it here. I don't have the funds I need to take classes."

This encounter disturbed me greatly. No matter which country we call home, if we expect our young people to defend our country, we have an absolute responsibility to help them transition back into civilian life at the end of their tour. 

I wrote to many California elected officials and met with a couple of them. Before I retired, I believe the law was changed, and veterans in California are now given residency. I hope I am not mistaken. 

The young men below are a few of the veterans who made my office their campus home. 

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Veterans Day for me is an emotional experience. It is not a nationalistic day, not a day to say my country is better than yours. No. It is a day to honor those who innocently decided to give their lives to serve their country's ideals. 
When asked how many veterans are homeless in the U.S.A., PolicyAdvice.net states, "A precise count is almost impossible to make, yet, according to estimates, over 40,000 veterans are homeless on any given night..." 

​​In the United States, we give hotel suites to illegal immigrants. We offer them food. Why aren't we demonstrating that same respect to our veterans? 
Today I honor all those who wore the uniform. And I ask veterans to forgive us if we've walked past you on the street and offered not a coin. Forgive us if you are unemployed and need help. Forgive us if we've forgotten our obligation.  
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
Picturecanva photos

28 Comments
Karen Ingalls
11/11/2022 04:03:44

How sad and how quickly we forget the sacrifices our veterans have made for us and our country. Gwen, thank you for helping those young veterans so many years ago.
You have written a wonderful tribute to our veterans.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 05:21:55

Thank you, dear Karen. These young men remain family in my heart. Few understand the sacrifices they and all veterans made. I only have a glimpse. ❤️

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CS Boyack
11/11/2022 04:24:13

Thanks for this powerful post, Gwen.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 05:26:51

Thank you, Craig. I'm pleased you liked the post.

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Liz Gauffreau link
11/11/2022 05:26:53

As I've been reading various Veterans' Day remembrances, it occurred to me that we should also thank veterans who have written about their experiences to give us some sense of what they went through.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 05:28:32

So true, Liz, and there are many writers among the veterans. Thank you for pointing that out.

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Joan Hall link
11/11/2022 06:26:59

Gwen, I absolutely agree with you. We owe our freedom to these veterans. There is something wrong when they're treated worse than illegals. Something terribly wrong.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 06:55:09

I so agree, Joan. Terribly wrong. If they returned via Mexico and crossed the border, they would be given far more than they receive now.

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Harmony Kent link
11/11/2022 06:31:09

A beautiful and powerful post, Gwen. Thank you for sharing your lovely story and all that you’ve done to help. Hugs and love 💕🙂

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 06:57:24

Thank you, Harmony. Hugs back to you...❤️

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Staci Troilo link
11/11/2022 07:35:01

Such a sad situation. And probably all too prolific.

I agree, Gwen. If we can help non-citizens, we should absolutely be able to help citizens who put their lives on the line for us. I don't understand why it's such a contentious point in our country.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 07:43:49

I don't understand either, Staci. It's heartbreaking. My dad drilled into my sibs and me that "You are only as good as your word." I wish all held to that wisdom. 💙

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John Howell link
11/11/2022 08:10:04

A Beautiful post, Gwen Here is the Federal statue on resident tuition established in 2017. Section 3679(c) of title 38, United States Code requires VA to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty at public Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) if the school charges qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms that began after July 1, 2017. So you were right. The law protests Vets at public colleges who receive aid from the Gov.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 09:33:33

This is wonderful news, John. Thank you for sharing as you have and enlightening all of us. This makes me so happy. 😊

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John Howell link
11/11/2022 14:13:36

So glad to be able give you the news, Gwen

Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 17:21:45

💙

D.L. Finn
11/11/2022 08:52:35

Beautiful post, Gwen and thank you for all you did for our vets. They did make it so vets could be residents for college in CA which I am so glad you spoke up on that. There is nothing political making sure our brave men and women are taken care of when they return home.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 09:34:47

I am elated to hear this, Denise. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

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Pete Springer link
11/11/2022 09:43:14

Perfectly stated, Gwen. We can't expect young men and ladies to provide military service and then not be there for them as they transition back to civilian life.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 09:49:29

Thank you, Pete. I agree wholeheartedly with you. 💙

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Priscilla Bettis link
11/11/2022 11:45:01

An important message, Gwen, thank you.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/11/2022 12:16:47

Kind of you to say, Priscilla. Thank you.

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D. Wallace Peach link
11/13/2022 06:01:27

What a sad story, Gwen, and thank you for making a difference, not only for those vets who found a place to gather in your office, but for those who followed, seeking an education in California. Every veteran deserves of our very best efforts to help them find success back at home. That's our sacred duty to them.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/13/2022 12:57:37

Beautifully expresses, Diana, thank you. "Our sacred duty" -- so true. ❤️

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Jacqui Murray link
11/15/2022 08:20:29

What an excellent post, Gwen. I have two kids in the military. My son served overseas in Iraq and Kuwait. They both took college-level classes when they returned. I'll have to ask them if they got instate tuition.

Kudos to you for making the effort.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/15/2022 10:59:02

Thank you so much, Jacqui. John Howell checked the Federal laws and discovered that the laws were changed in 2017. Now veterans have in-state tuition. YAY!

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mark bierman link
11/18/2022 06:06:25

My heart goes out to the veterans. I'm glad there is kind people like you to offer a helping hand.

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Gwen M. Plano
11/18/2022 07:34:49

Thanks so much, Mark. ❤️

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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