Answers: Respecting Veterans

Are communities doing enough to care for the men and women returning from military duty? As we prepare for Veterans Day on Nov. 11, what are your ideas on how government agencies at all levels, community groups and individuals can best show respect to our veterans and their families? What are we doing well, and what can we do better?

FROM OUR INBOX

Respect means different things to different people. Veterans do not need more flag pins or empty words; we need people who are willing to walk the walk even when others aren't looking.

Arnold B.

Washington

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The best thing that could happen would be for the backlog of everything at the Veterans Administration to be cleared. It just takes forever and a day to get even the smallest thing accomplished.

Ron T.

Robins

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Veterans groups, just like other social justice groups, need to learn to work together instead of competing with each other.

Vicky W.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

' Robin R.:

Out of 12 houses on my block I, being a veteran, am the only one that flies a flag. Not even on national holidays do any of them fly a flag. The looks I get when I wear my veteran hat and coats could freeze a veteran to death. Also, the county and city seem to be bent on stopping veteran-run businesses. I've been working on a business for three and a half years and have hit nothing but road blocks.

' Blaize H.:

Everyone loves a vet.

' Jonathon A.:

I think some communities forget what veterans do, about the adjustments to coming back home and the challenges of kids without their parents.