“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” – Thucydides
While for the most part the military is a function of the Federal government, there is a unique and perhaps surprising interconnection between the military and local government. Local governments often own and maintain cemeteries, including special areas for veterans’ graves. In our State, every community has a veteran assigned to care for graves, usually marking them with flags at Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Cities and towns of a certain size are also required to have a Veterans Agent, and some of us provide services and coordinate benefits for veterans through regional districts. Local Veterans Agents help veterans and their families apply for benefits through the State, yet offer so much more. They help veterans navigate the Federal benefits they may be entitled to, especially through the VA Hospital network (routinely driving veterans and their families to appointments!) Most importantly, they offer advice and counsel about complex topics in a familiar setting, with great patience and compassion.
Of course, observances for Memorial Day and Veterans Day are held at Federal and State level, but most average Americans who pay their respects do so at a local event. These observances, usually organized by a Veterans Agent or local veterans group like the VFW or American Legion (or, commonly, a mixture of both), are solemn yet beautiful events. They typically involve public safety honor guards and high school choirs or bands. While it is invariably raining or unseasonably cold, residents attend, listen to speeches by local officials, and sip donated coffee, carefully avoiding the doughnut table.
Earlier this month, our Town had the remarkable opportunity to welcome home the remains of Lt. Joseph Finneran, a World War II Army Airman who died in combat in 1943 at the age of 22. The outpouring of support from community members was overwhelming. The basic logistics were determined by the Army, but the observance had a truly local flavor, supported by fire and police departments of dozens of surrounding communities.
Local government is an attractive career for veterans and reservists. I interview all finalists for police officer and firefighter positions in our Town. Their story is remarkably similar: they graduate from high school and attend liberal arts colleges in the area. They can’t imagine a life sitting at a desk, so they join the military. I always ask them what their mothers felt when they joined up, and the answer is the same: disbelief, fear, yet great pride. Many people might be surprised at the number of reservists who are called up for active duty still in 2019. Because we have a fair number of military personnel, we occasionally have to see our colleagues deploy. The Town’s Emergency Management Administrator recently returned from a year in the Middle East, and our Veterans Services Director will be shipping out to Africa in the near future. The sacrifice of enduring their absence pales in comparison to the sacrifices they make for our freedom and way of life.
What stories can you share about the intersection of military service and local government?
Let’s Practice, honoring those who see clearly what’s before them and go out to meet it.
Very Kate 