Roberta M. Helming: Give honor to those who defend our country

Roberta M. Helming: Give honor to those who defend our country


By Roberta M. Helming
For The Norwich Bulletin

Posted Jun 04, 2010 @ 12:07 AM

What do you think when you hear the news that a soldier has died in war?

Does it elicit feelings of compassion?

What about Staff Sgt. Edwin Rivera, the father from Waterford who recently died from injuries suffered in Afghanistan, and who will be laid to rest soon. Do the thoughts of the pain his family must be feeling come to mind?

Personally, when I hear of such tragedy, my mind starts to wander and I begin to realize what will never be because of this unique person’s untimely death.

I see a family left behind, devastated. I see children growing up without a parent; parents suddenly without their child; siblings with a void in their heart and grieving grandparents. In a split second, their lives are forever changed, and now they try to make sense of their new world without their loved one.

After more than eight years of war, and the approach to the end of the first decade of the 21st century, we’ve seen a major shift of disinterest in patriotism. Yet, one wonders what continues to speak to the hearts and minds of those who bravely volunteer for the military — and war? It isn’t mandatory.

Going to work

We need to feel grateful for these heroes for whatever it is that makes them want to be in combat. What must it feel like to not know that “going to work” today may be your last trip?

This country is, and always has been, built on the courageous men and women who have fought in wars, making sacrifices, that enable the rest of us to breathe easier, live better lives.

As a sign of gratitude, we really need to become more meaningfully involved in showing support for those putting their lives on the line. We don’t have to dedicate our lives to it, but in some small way we each can make a soldier and his or her family feel that they are recognized as heroes.

Will you start by joining me in remembering our most recent fallen Connecticut soldier with sympathy cards. Encourage family, friends and co-workers to do likewise.

Our community support will mean the world to those who have suffered the loss of our heroic American soldier.

I also invite you to join me in getting friends and families to sign cards for our soldiers serving in foreign lands at Christmas time, a project very dear to my heart. We may not be serving in those wars, but my year-round “Cards for Veterans” program will enable us to show support of those who are. Contact me if you’re interested.

Roberta M. Helming is a freelance writer from Ledyard. She can be reached at RMHelming@aol.com



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