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We all should know the Constitution
It’s July with parades, fireworks, barbecues, campouts, picnics, swimming, fishing, hiking …
It’s a season we Americans have grown to enjoy.
In Montezuma we not only have a parade, but this year we also dedicate a monument to the Bill of Rights — the first monument of its kind in the nation.
Veterans should know a little about the 10 amendments to the Constitution — after all, we swore to defend the entire document.
My family has a fairly rich military tradition — my dad was commander of a photo recon unit that took the photos for D-Day, the invasion of Europe in World War II, and both my brother and I served in the army.
We have ancestors who fought on both sides of the Civil War — Union and Confederate — and we know of at least one who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Nearly 30 years ago I left the U.S. Army after three years of service in the United States Army Security Agency. I served during the Cold War.
My job was to analyze Soviet military messages. Overall, it was the job of all of us in the military at that time to make sure the Cold War stayed just that — COLD! Although I never fired a shot in anger, I am fairly proud of my service — awarded a couple of medals while pretty much staying out of trouble. And the G.I Bill paid for my education.
Let’s jump forward in time a little bit.
In college I worked for the Veterans Affairs office at Western State College, Gunnison, Colo. I had originally joined during the Vietnam Era, so I got to use the G.I Bill.
It was while I was in college that things started to change. We learned that the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act had been amended and a number of Vietnam Era Veterans were no longer Vietnam Era Veterans.
Put another way, a number of veterans lost some benefits, including the G.I Bill. Some people joined the military during the Vietnam Era, but the dates of that conflict/war were “officially” changed while they served. As I recall, most veteran’s organizations opposed the move at the time.
Anyway, since I was using the G.I. Bill, it couldn’t be taken away. I was a lucky one.
Still, some veterans who signed on prior to the establishment of the here-tofore mentioned readjustment assistance act (during the Vietnam Era) but left the service after the passage of the same act, were not aware that 1) they needed to put money into a newly created “education fund,” and 2) they were no longer considered Vietnam Era vets entitled to the G.I. Bill among other benefits. As I understood, it didn’t matter what was promised them when they joined. If they didn’t use the benefits in a certain amount of time, they lost them.
Jump forward a few more years.
When I started working for Poweshiek Publications, I decided it was time to join a veteran’s organization or two.
I have always felt it was important to remember my ancestors who served — I try to honor all of them, and especially my dad.
Sometimes it gets hard trying to locate service records, graves, and others who share my desire to honor veterans, but I never thought it would be so hard to honor my service.
I knew the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was not an organization I could join — I did not serve during a hot war as recognized by Congress.
But I always thought that the American Legion was available. I learned otherwise. That organization basically uses the same dates as the VFW for membership. That surprised me. I had always thought that the American Legion was open to all veterans.
So, after some research I learned of AmVets – American Veterans. I joined, but learned there is not an organization close to my home — something necessary as gas prices spiral higher and higher. I also am joining the Cold War Veterans Association. But, again, no local group.
I’m involved with a good batch of folks — some of them veterans — who have the same feelings for honoring our heritage and we focus on the Civil War era in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
I am also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Some of us wear Union and/or Confederate uniforms at Civil War reenactments, living history events, school events, museum programs and at grave-side ceremonies and in parades. We also give presentations to civic groups and clubs.
While I get some good-natured kidding, you have to admit that when you see some guys wearing Civil War uniforms holding on to muskets, you tend to walk over and see just what is going on.
Still, sometimes I wonder. I was raised to honor our history, flag, service members and veterans, and the many different cultures that make up this country.
I believe there is room enough for all and we can learn from each and every one of them. What I never considered, though, was how hard it would be to honor my status as a veteran.
I am limited to what organizations I can join because they follow the dates of military service in time of war.
If you are a veteran who served with honor from May 8, 1975 to August 23, 1982, or from Aug. 1, 1984 to Dec. 19, 1989, you are not eligible to join many service organizations. There must be thousands of veterans like me who served during those periods.
You would think that groups having trouble finding membership might add a provision or something for including those veterans. We went through similar training and swore to defend our country when called. We also swore to defend our constitution.
Seems like that should mean something.