Treasure 
It’s yet another year to celebrate our veterans and fallen heroes who put their lives on the line for the country’s sake…Individuals who have fought for this nation in various wars. A unique family that doesn’t share the same last name. They have taken part in many peacekeeping operations, defensive duties, and internal security duties.
A lot of things herald activities geared toward commemorating and remembering our veterans and fallen heroes.
But….,
“Has it translated to better the lot of the veterans and the families they left behind?”
For instance, in the past months, Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblems have been on sale across the country (proceeds of the sale are supposed to go to the Nigerian Legion). A Nigerian association of ex-servicemen (former members of the Nigerian Armed Forces) established to help them integrate into society.
Members of the Legion have gone through great hardship. Some of them find it challenging to find a reason to live. Yet, they are being celebrated!
Oftentimes, when you go to the venue of the event, you see the veterans looking all worn out in their old uniforms, which they are proud to wear. Adorned with their hard-earned medals for meritorious service.
You’ll see them looking tired out and bent as if under the weight of the medal. But, the reality is, you can see the pain and suffering etched on their once gallant faces and frames.
At other times, veterans, who could be as old as 70 or 80 years old, are made to travel long distances and queue in the hot sun, all in the name of “pension verification exercise.” Most of them arrive at the verification center on wheelbarrows, and many veterans have died during this process. You can’t handle this truth…Can you?
The issues are there, although it’s almost invisible because it’s rarely discussed. The majority of them are homeless and sick. Quite a large number are still carrying bullets in their bodies since the sixties!.
The military makes civilians soldiers, but do they turn soldiers back into civilians the right way?
How many percent of our veterans receive appropriate services from The Department of Veteran Affairs?
Questions, Questions…Questions!
Anyway….,
Considering all the pledges being made over the years, “Has there been any impact on their lives?”
This is a big question that needs a lot of answers.
After the fanfare, promises, and pledges made at the wreath-laying ceremony end, everything seems to be still until the next ceremony comes up again, and the cycle repeats itself.
In my opinion, It’s a moral obligation to show these brave men and women in or out of uniform the love and respect they so deserve. We owe it to them to see they don’t live in homelessness and poverty, as many of them do.
Another noteworthy issue is the case of our fallen heroes’ loved ones (widows and orphans). The plight and condition of some of them can only be imagined. This is a narrative that’s not strange to many.
Most of them still hold onto the memories of their lost loved ones, long gone but not forgotten. They always think wishfully, “What if he were alive? Would things have been different?”
Always they have lingering questions and pains in their hearts and carry the burden all alone. Feeling cheated because their loved ones paid the ultimate price, they are abandoned and left to bear a lot on their own.
I believe for Armed Forces Remembrance to be held, we need to take into consideration those left behind and those that gave their youth and all to the service of the nation by giving them the best services so that they will know that all they did wasn’t in vain.
“Only then can we say we are celebrating them” in the true sense of the word.
To the veterans ( and their loved ones) who have fought but still have a fight inside them, it’s hard but always remember there’s light after darkness.
May the souls of the fallen heroes keep resting in peace. We remember you today. You’re gone but not forgotten!
