Veterans Day speeches focus on support for those who served
Speakers at the American Legion Post 222 Veterans Day celebration Tuesday seemed to voice a common refrain: Serve the men and women who served the country.
It’s the best way to say thank you to U.S. military members, past and present, Frank Daniel told the crowd of about 100 gathered on the lawn of the Legion’s Laguna Beach headquarters on Legion Street.
Attendees included Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen, Councilman Steve Dicterow and members of the Laguna Beach police and fire departments.
Daniel is commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 in Laguna Beach.
“Veterans and their families need advocates. That’s why the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars exist,” said Daniel, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1963 and was deployed to conflicts in Asia, including Vietnam.
“We are here to serve veterans and their families,” Daniel said. “Our country needs our vets. America would not be the America of today if not for our veterans.”
Troops returning from battle encounter a breadth of challenges, both mental and physical, Daniel said.
They may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares and bouts of anger and depression, not to mention the toll on family members.
“Children don’t know whether their mom or dad will live through their next combat tour,” Daniel said.
Tuesday’s commemoration was a reminder that people and organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and Moms of the Military Prayer and Support Group, are ready to help veterans and their families.
Some of Habitat‘s 27 homes built in San Juan Capistrano were specifically marketed to military families.
Moms of the Military, which has chapters in Costa Mesa and Lake Forest, offers mothers and wives of servicemen emotional support, according to the group’s website.
Laguna Beach Fire Capt. John Kuzmic comes from a miliary upbringing. His father was in the Navy and his grandfather was a Marine.
Kuzmic said he was humbled by being in the company of military service men and women, and that the work he does as a firefighter pales in comparison to fighting for one’s country.
“These guys make me feel like I’m nothing,” Kuzmic said. “These are true [men and women]. I didn’t do a darn thing.”
There are many ways people can support veterans, Daniel said.
“You can hire a veteran, visit a Veterans Affairs hospital, donate to a veterans’ organization and/or keep them in your prayers,” Daniel said. “We must remember and appreciate them 365 days a year.”
Daniel added a bit of humor during the ceremony when he noticed that someone had raised the Marine Corps flag upside down.
“The funny thing is that an Army guy handed me the flag [before raising it up the pole],” Daniel said as listeners burst into laughter.
Veterans Day has its origins in Armistice Day, which commemorated the ceasefire between Allied nations of World War I and Germany on Nov. 11, 1918.
In 1938, Congress officially designated Nov. 11 a legal holiday to recognize those who fought in World War I. In 1954, Congress amended legislation to expanded the tribute to veterans of all wars.