Honoring Our Veterans
From the Editor
Moments after the sun set on Halloween night, Christmas decorations broke out of their boxes and into retail stores everywhere. These days, it seems, there is no time for holidays less recognized in the retail world. There are the major, money making holidays and then everything else.
Sadly, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving have been pushed to the back burner in the way of holidays. Yet, I can’t think of any holiday that is more deserving of our utmost attention and respect than Veterans Day.
Every day we enjoy freedom and safety that our troops have laid their lives on the line for. Our Veterans have seen and experienced things that are unfathomable to many of us. Physically and emotionally, our Veterans sacrifice. It is their bravery that allows us to live in the land of the free.
When our veterans come home, many of them have what to us may be invisible challenges, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This can change their lives forever and make day to day life difficult, if not impossible.
The rate of suicide among veterans is more than twice the national average. Veterans account for seven out of every ten suicides nationally. This tells us loud and clear, that we must do more to support our soldiers both when they are on active duty and when they come home.
Our freedom comes at a high cost not only to the troops but also to their families at home. In this edition, Christina Sciarretta shares “A story from An Active Duty Army Veteran Family” that offers a glimpse into an Egg Harbor Township family’s life when their spouse is on active duty.
Loren (Ron) P Rondeau Sr. Of Egg Harbor Township was in the Coast Guard for over 20 years. Read his story on page 14. Also, look for a listing of all Veterans Day ceremonies and a resource listing for our Veterans.
As we move into this season of giving, check out local organizations that you can donate or volunteer with on page 9.
With the holidays approaching quickly, we will all be shopping and purchasing gifts in abundance over the coming weeks. I encourage you to always think local first. Let’s keep our dollars in our community and support the people that actually live here and value this wonderful place that we call home.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
