Letter to the Editor: Susan Garrett on Memorial Day
State Senator shares her thoughts on the holiday.
Dear Editor:
I look forward to Memorial Day every year because it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made to keep America strong and free. Men and women of all socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, from all across the country, have fought courageously in wartime and in peace so that citizens like us can walk safely throughout our communities and our country.
Memorial Day is a day where we set aside our differences and stand united to honor the services and achievements of the men and women of the U.S. armed forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for our nation. We recognize the principals they stood for and causes for which they gave their lives, and we are forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Susan Garrett
State Senator
Raymond Prusak
10:03 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Going out on a political limb, Susan? How controversial. Why not talk of the appalling conditions at va hosp for our wounded kids or the over the top suicide rate because we don't spend the money to get these kids heads right after they come home shell shocked. Go ahead, wear your yellow ribbons all you want, but until we raise the pay and benefits for these kids, it's all just talk and useless yellow ribbons that make you feel good when you do actually nothing at all to help a PTSD survivor
Thomas L. Mattison
5:52 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Knowing the section chief at the VA in waukegan, i can say there is not a more dedicated man who working with an excellent team and is striving hard and making inroads into the treatment of this very complex malidity. You can not raise money appropriately until you know what to raise it for. Throwing money at mental emotional disorders is not a solution. There are serious and dedicated people striving for real solutions each and every day, in and out of the VA.
Raymond Prusak
10:09 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Maybe instead of "reflecting", you should visit a kid who just lost his arm or leg or mind and ask him how you can help his situation. Maybe help him get to a dr's appt or run an errand for his wife or pay tuition for his kids? Reflecting? Please. That doesn't help anyone except the facctories in china that make magnetic yellow ribbons so you can show us how much you reflect for the children we send to do our dirty work. We should call it reflection day
Raymond Prusak
10:18 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Reflecting at the beach by your summer home is not paying homage to those that actually did something as a citizen. Roll up your sleeves and visit a rehab center. Talk to the family of a kid who survived battle only to commit suicide at home. Stop reflecting at the beach and get out and do something for one soldier or his family.
RB
10:37 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Susan, thanks for the posting and thank you for your years of service in the State Senate.
Lynn Sanders
6:07 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your positive thoughts on this national holiday. It certainly would be significant if more people, including our government, could do more to help veterans. But in the interim, it's always worthwhile to provide encouragement. I just wrote a blog here about how our neighbors honor their friend, neighbor and deceased veteran Lloyd Mendelson. You may enjoy reading it.