Fall 2023

"For God and country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To create a charitable and non-profit veterans organization; to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to assist and promote the welfare and well being of those who have served or are now serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and their widows, widowers and orphans; to participate in all memorial services for and to be present at the funerals of departed comrades; to take part in and encourage others to participate in the proper observance of all days honoring veterans; to preserve the memories of our Service in the Armed Forces of our Country; to actively participate within our membership in projects relating to (a) the welfare of the children of America; (b) the health of our Nation by fostering a nurses training program; and (c) selected charitable endeavors."

Turn the page. Start a new chapter. Embrace and learn from the past, be present today, and look for how you can fit into the next year.  Proud past and fantastic future.

My father, a Naval Aviator, always spoke highly of his commitment to service. So much so that at 17 years old I enlisted in the Army as both of my grandfathers before me. He unknowingly instilled so much of our preamble that brought me to this organization.  When is the last time the preamble was truly reflected upon with your Locale or Grande? Let’s take a look:

For God and country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To create a charitable and non-profit veterans organization;

One would think that this is the easiest statement in our preamble. It’s just about creating something, right? I argue that this is the most difficult statement and sets the stage for all of the other statements in our ritual.  This simple introduction embraces the concept of community. “Build it and they will come.” I surmise that a strong foundation is necessary prior to building upon it.  This is the first step of what we associate ourselves with: Comradery.  Build a network of veterans and families and the rest of the preamble is innately complete. As I turn the page on last year I reflect on my own effect on this community. Could I have bit my tongue a little longer? Were my actions more harmful than good even though well intentioned? Did I argue my point so well that it chased someone away from the group instead of fostering an environment of openness? By facilitating a culture of kindness and understanding we build a community.  The phrase “I understand and accept that I do not understand” is being self-aware. We add tools to our toolboxes with relationships that can tackle whatever problems we face and enable creating this charitable and non-profit veterans organization. 

to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;

If I were a founding father and returning from WWI, I would contextualize that this concept was a prevalent theme in much culture.  Have my actions this year been in the spirit of the founding fathers? Did I support the ideals of the Constitution? Can I reread something or research a bit more and apply context? Recently I have been listening to a short video series on the Constitution and what I remember is not necessarily what is in the written document.  I guess age is beginning to show.  I could have fought valiantly in arguments for what I believed… and been wrong. 

to assist and promote the welfare and well being of those who have served or are now serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and their widows, widowers and orphans;

I return to the community.  How best have we promoted a healthy return to civilian life for our veterans and their families? A return to the local community as veterans is a lifetime commitment.  A commitment for us to challenge ourselves and for the community to support our engagement.  The healthy return is not just when someone has a family or earns a civilian career or job. For some, it takes the rest of their lives to take off the camo paint. Have we just put a brown bottle and pack of smokes in front of them and laughed and called it good?  Is this really the community we want to encourage and does it support their physical and mental wellbeing? Does it support their families or did we pull them away? Or should we be encouraging their families and children to participate in building the foundation to build upon?

to participate in all memorial services for and to be present at the funerals of departed comrades;

Respecting our fallen comrades. Our community aches and yearns for connection when a comrade joins Voiture Everlasting.  Have we been there for their families, friends, and community? I mean, really been mentally present and not just showing up to the funeral.  Have we reached out a month later just to say we were thinking of them? Sometimes it’s not about fixing their hurt but offering a silent shoulder to lean on.

to take part in and encourage others to participate in the proper observance of all days honoring veterans;

When I read this statement I reflect on the word “encourage.” This means setting the example and making our participation not mandatory but being absent creates a feeling of a void. Have you had a chance to put our flags (and pick them up) during Memorial Day? What about participating or attending a Veterans Day ceremony at city hall or at a small local park or VFW? Have you handed out flags to children at parades? This encourages others to participate by making it meaningful. 

to preserve the memories of our Service in the Armed Forces of our Country;

How better to preserve our memories of our Service than to laugh together? This year could I have been a little less serious? Did I enable a culture of clean and fun jokes and pranks? As a local leader and the Grande du Kansas Chef de Gare I challenged our leaders to build culture together. The stories that are told of our Service, no matter how small, creates bonds that can last a lifetime and builds the catalyst that keeps this organization together. 

to actively participate within our membership in projects relating to (a) the welfare of the children of America; (b) the health of our Nation by fostering a nurses training program; and (c) selected charitable endeavors."

Key words: actively participate.  This can be by being a leader of a local program or only supporting financially if you are unable.  Do not judge those whose kind generosity is limited to funding due to disability, shyness, or maybe even some PTSD.  This year, I could have done better to foster an embracing culture.  I could have delegated more. I could have listened more and transmitted less.

So, now it’s time for 2024. I hope each of you considers your own thoughts and reviews our preamble.  Keep up the great work and support each other, even if we don’t understand.  May the ties of comradeship which bound us together during our military service be ever strengthened, and let us hasten to each other's aid at every opportunity.