November 7, 2024
Honoring Our Veterans - Counting Their Service and Their Sacrifice

We all make sacrifices; we give our mate the last piece of pie, let someone ahead in line, or help a stranger pick up something they dropped. We give our time and resources because it is the right thing to do.

For most of us, a sacrifice is a simple measure usually done with little thought. However, there are those whose sacrifice is much greater. Our veterans spent years in the service of others, placing their lives on the line and leaving loved ones behind to defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I fear far too often we fail to recognize their service and their sacrifice. Veteran’s Day is designed to remind us of their service and sacrifice, but we should remember them every day.

According to recent numbers, there are roughly 18 million Veterans in America or a little less than 7% of the general population. These veterans come from all walks of life, leaving family and friends to serve at all points of the world. They miss holidays, first steps, last breaths, birthdays, sad days, and the general life of their families.

We consider the World War II citizens as our “greatest generation.” Today, less than 1% of our population serves in the military, while in the years of World War II, 9% of our country served in the military. They fought Fascism and turned back Hitler’s plan to take over the world. Those brave men and women came home changed forever, having witnessed horrors they had never seen before. Sadly today, less than 1% of our World War II veterans are still alive.

Many of our veterans came home impacted by the things they witnessed. Their comrades are buried all over the globe as we have taken the position to protect the American way of life. We know that our veterans are impacted by the following issues:

• Homelessness- Veterans are more likely to be homeless than the general population. According to the Bureau of Veteran Affairs, over 41,000 veterans were homeless at some point last year.
• PTSD- Many of our veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This leads to mental illness issues as a result of being involved in an extremely stressful or terrifying event — either being part of it or witnessing it. 
• Poverty- While veterans have a lower poverty rate than the general population overall, veterans 18-34 are more likely to live in poverty than their older counterparts. This generation has experienced the War in Afghanistan and returned home to find their veteran’s programs being attacked in some Congressional Budgets.

In 2017, Congressional Republicans cut $154 billion dollars from Veteran’s Programs over a ten-year period, using the money to help pay for tax cuts to the wealthiest one percent. Cuts to SNAP programs impacted thousands of veterans who depend on the program to fight food insecurity. Attacks on Medicaid left almost two million veterans in danger of losing vital health care.

The sacrifice our veterans have made SHOULD be honored by providing them with the care and assistance once they return home. On November 11, may we all pause and remember these sacrifices. Across the region, there will be Veteran’s Parades and programs to honor our veterans. I encourage every member to participate in these events.

In addition to participating, I ask you to join me in holding our elected officials accountable for the promises made to our veterans for their sacrifice. We don’t need leaders who refer to them as “suckers and losers” we need those who appreciate their sacrifice and honor the promises made to our veterans.

On behalf of the entire Region 8 staff and leadership, we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. May we always honor them with our actions and deeds.

Tim Smith, Director
UAW Region 8

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