Calling All Stamford Veterans (And Those Who Love Them)

I'll be honest. A common-knowledge 11% national unemployment rate for veterans, supplemented by a June CBS MoneyWatch article that declared Connecticut as one of the ten worst states for veteran unemployment did not give me the impression that the U.S. has been that appreciative of its former servicemen.

Then, the occured in early August.

The death of Brian Bill affected me on a personal level as the death of any serviceman does, but local public's stunned, sympathetic reaction to the death of a fallen soldier was equally moving. In attending , I saw hundreds of Stamford residents and groups, such as the American Legion, honoring the life and sacrifice of a Navy SEAL. Some in attendance knew Brian Bill personally, but a great many had not, and were present simply to pay their respects.

I realized that the average person can't do anything about an unemployment rate among veterans, but they can show support to a hometown hero, they can honor the sacrifices that servicemen make, and they can be appreciative of people who fought in the foreign conflicts since 9/11 even if they don't support the conflicts proper.

Personally, as a veteran, I don't need a 'thank you' from anyone, but it's an indescribable thing to receive one. That's what Veteran's Day means to me.

To my fellow Stamford vets out there, what does Veteran's Day mean to you?

To those who honor our local veterans, how do you do so?

Comments welcome, and personal e-mails sent to Jamal.Powell@patch.com may be published in Friday's Letters to The Editor.