The Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, Mark Parkinson, visited some Kansas wounded at Walter Reed. This column resulted.
Recently, while in Washington D.C. , I had the honor to visit our brave military men and women recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center . As I met those who had sacrificed their health for our country, I was reminded of the courage and bravery exhibited by members of the armed forces.
While there, I met two Kansas soldiers who had both suffered debilitating injuries – one a major head injury and the other a leg injury that led to amputation. I thought, before my visit, that they may be bitter.
Bitter at the situation, bitter at the war, or just plain bitter.
I quickly discovered there wasn’t an ounce of bitterness in either of them. Indeed, both mentioned what they wanted, perhaps more than anything else, was to be back in Iraq with their units. I was stunned and humbled by their commitment.
Tom Brokaw has labeled the generation of men and women who grew up during World War II as “the Greatest Generation.” His label is completely proper. However I would amend it only slightly. The men and women who are risking their lives today, deserve the same accolades. They make up our era’s Greatest Generation.
To all those who serve in uniform, thank you. I was inspired and energized by the upbeat attitude and optimistic outlook exuded by every individual at Walter Reed – regardless of their situation or condition.
This kind of unfailing buoyancy is what keeps America strong. For those at Walter Reed, the costs of doing their jobs were high; the rewards we as citizens reap from their selflessness are even higher.
Our great state of Kansas constantly benefits from the dedication of thousands of individuals serving our country, many of whom are now deployed overseas. Whether they’re serving abroad or on our Kansas military installations, men and women across this state go to work, day after day, to contribute to more than just their “job.”
To what do they contribute? The safety, security and freedoms of every Kansan and every American.
