Community Notes: ‘Thank you for your service’

By Phillip Knighten, City Councilman

Often when out in the community or during travels across and around the United States, once people find out I’m a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, they regularly acknowledge my military service with the phrase “Thank you for your service.”

It is a very heartwarming term of endearment to veterans, but for veterans in distress, it is not enough.

Upon joining the armed forces of the United States, men and women must take an oath of enlistment. I remember that oath and how it went:

“I, Phillip J. Knighten, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God.” 

With taking that oath and joining the armed forces, I decided to sacrifice many of the freedoms of the Constitution I swore to defend, and if necessary, to sacrifice my life in defense of the United States of America. This is why I say that just thanking a Veteran for his or her service is not always enough.

The stresses and circumstances of military service and wartime deployment sometimes leave scars, both mentally and physically, upon those that endured it.

PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), loss of limbs, exposure to biological hazards, homelessness, mental/memory disorders and many other diagnosed and undiagnosed illnesses affect many veterans in society today.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in place to handle many and most of the aforementioned situations, but many cases fall through the cracks. That’s where those that wish to “thank veterans for their service” can do more.

There are several organizations that are in existence to assist veterans, and they could use your help. Whether it be through monetary donations or volunteering your time, every little bit helps the cause.

And even if you can’t contribute time or money, just educating yourself to the plight of many distressed veterans and sharing your information will help with much needed awareness of these conditions.

Veteran’s Day is soon approaching — Nov. 11th, to be exact. On behalf of all veterans, active-duty troops, and those veterans that preceded us in death, I ask that you take it upon yourself to embody the phrase “Thank you for your service,” by truly becoming an active participant in thanking us for our service. Semper Fidelis.

Here is a short list of veteran service organizations and charities:

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans).
• Wounded Warrior Project.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• American Legion.
• Marine Corps League.
• USA Cares.
• Freedom Service Dogs of America.
• Fisher House Foundation.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America.
• Hire Heroes USA.
• Operation Homefront.

— Phillip Knighten is also Charles City VFW quartermaster and Marine Corps League Department of Iowa adjutant.