The month of May is typically marked by celebrations around graduations, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day. But May is also host to another commemoration that is often overshadowed - the recognition of a special group of national heroes who are less well known but no less important to the country’s well-being.
The VA’s 2021 fiscal year budget request of $243.3 billion represents a fifth straight year of budget increases and a 10.2 percent increase from the fiscal year 2020. This includes $109.5 billion for discretionary funding (+14.1 percent) and $133.8 billion for mandatory funding (+7.2 percent). The increased budgetary request reflects the VA’s continued commitment to several key areas of veteran care.
Colby Park is not your traditional veteran. The 36-year-old former Army Airborne Ranger, with four young kids, isn’t what most people think of when they picture a veteran. Most conjure up images of their fathers or grandfathers wearing Vietnam and WWII commemorative hats often fully retired swapping war stories. That isn’t Colby. As time goes on, the “Norman Rockwell” image we have had of veterans is becoming less accurate and more antiquated. Colby represents a new wave of modern-day, “post 9/11” veterans with their own set of unique skills, circumstances, and challenges.
Don Weakley remains incredibly composed as he recalls a war story that would make most of us shudder. “I actually stepped on a Russian landmine during my time in Afghanistan, but I got lucky because whoever placed it forgot to pull out the arming pin, so it didn’t go off,” he recounts as calmly as if he was telling you what he ate for lunch. “I kept the mine as a reminder of how lucky I got that day,” he adds. But it wasn’t just luck that helped the former Explosive Ordnance Disposal Commander successfully destroy thousands of explosive ordnances like mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) throughout Afghanistan and Iraq.
After Jennie’s Taylor's husband Maj. Brent Taylor was killed while serving with the Utah National Guard in Afghanistan, she received a “backstage pass to the price of freedom” which launched her on a mission to create a stronger connection between Americans and the military. Pulling from her personal experiences, Jennie explains the steps needed to properly thank and support our military members.
The VA’s 2020 fiscal year budget request of $220.2 billion represents a fifth straight year of budget increases that reflect the VA’s commitment to several key areas of veteran care such as mental health, homelessness, telehealth, the caregiver program, women's health, opioid management, and rural health.
George Washington said that “a nation is judged by how well it treats its veterans.” After Veteran's Day, the issues facing our veterans tend to fade from our nation’s focus until the next year. But, as a nation, we must understand that the challenges our veterans face on a daily basis can only be resolved through urgent action and the sacrifices they have made for us warrant this action.
