Honor veterans by insisting on the

support services they earned

What can we citizens of this country do to show our appreciation to military veterans for the service they have done for us?

I had the opportunity in September to serve as a guardian to one veteran, 90-year-old Barney Adkins, on a Greater Peoria Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Our group of 78 veterans and their guardians toured the memorials of WWII, Korean and Vietnam conflicts; the Air Force and Marine memorials; and Arlington National Cemetery. The most emotional and memorable moments came when sacks of mail were handed to each veteran from friends and strangers alike who appreciated the years they had spent serving our country. And then the nearly thousand people who greeted them on their return to the Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport; “Welcome home.” “Thanks for all you did for us.”

During this Veteran’s Day month let us consider how we can express our thanks in ways that will make the lives of veterans better. It is a national shame that our military men and women have been treated as second-class citizens regarding health care. Inadequate funding of VA clinics and hospitals has caused them long waits for medical care and treatment. That wasn’t the case when I was an intern at Hines VA in Chicago or when I worked at the Danville VA Medical Center. Hopefully, veterans hospitals will continue to improve.

I spoke with Vietnam veterans who are organized in demanding care for the long-term effects of the herbicide known as Agent Orange. Their concern extends to needed research to study any effects borne by their children and grandchildren.

Let our representatives in Congress know that we insist on the finest health care for those who have sacrificed and paid the price for our freedom. We taxpayers need to pay our share. In addition, consider volunteering for causes that support veterans.

Terry Galvin Matthews

Washington, Illinois