I recently read that veterans do not like the holidays because they have been hijacked by “capitalism.” What? Capitalism is a part of what makes this country the greatest country on earth. Do some people go overboard during the holidays? Yes, but many businesses run in the red all year with the hopes that they will finally make a profit in December to finish out the year.
Isn’t this why many of us went off to fight and defend our freedoms? I know that would be one of the reasons I went – to provide opportunities for us all to live in prosperity instead of dreary mediocrity, or worse, poverty. Some people go to the extreme, but that is no reason to hate the holidays. Believe it or not, veterans are people too. Some of them struggle with life’s problems, just like everyone else, and they find an excuse to exaggerate their anxiety or find something to blame. But many veterans, like myself, not only enjoy the holidays, but enjoy the life we are fortunate to live here in America.
If you want a distorted view of the holidays watch the news. We all know the saying “if it bleeds, it leads.” The media loves to report on what is wrong in America. You hear very little about the good things in America. Well, let me report on some good things.
American Legion Post 90, here in St. George, is made up of 328 veterans. These members are all good men and women who served their country and now serve their community. As we near the end of 2014 let me tell you about a few of the good things Post 90 has done to serve you.
The Post Ritual Team performs military honors at more than 100 funerals a year, paying tribute to our deceased military men and women by playing Taps, firing a rifle salute, then folding and presenting the American flag to the next of kin.
Post 90 supports the Jr. ROTC at Dixie High School, supported the Dixie High School Jr. ROTC celebrity golf tournament, which this year helped to raise over $10,000.00 for the Jr. ROTC program. Post 90 also supports the Civil Air Patrol and our American Legion youth Baseball team, the Sentinels. These programs enable our youth to develop leadership and pursue worthy endeavors.
We have held numerous ceremonies to retire our National Emblem as well as holding flag ceremonies at various schools and civic organizations, inspiring love for country and a spirit of citizenship.
Every year Post 90 honors someone from our community as Citizen of the Year to recognize those among us who make significant contributions to our citizens and promote good will. This year’s honoree was Mayor Jon Pike as Citizen of the Year.
Post 90 remembers our fellow service members, those still with us and those who have gone before us, by participating in Memorial Day services in the St. George cemetery, the Veterans Day Parades, the Patriotic Program held in the Tabernacle on Veterans Day, and the Pearl Harbor Day commemoration. These activities bring fellowship and comfort to the military veterans and the family members who love them.
We celebrate Christmas to remember Christ who devoted his entire life to us. His example of service is something we will never be able to match. But we can follow His example. We can give service and when we serve we forget ourselves and find joy and appreciation for what we have. The veterans I know are happy because they serve others. After all isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to be about?
Ski Ingram
Ski Ingram is the Adjutant of Lester Keate Post 90 of the American Legion and the Co-Chairman of the Veterans Coalition of Southern Utah. He can be reached at 435-313-2078 or Post90 @ Post90.org
