It's crazy how politics can so easily divide our Veterans. We should just leave political parties out of our cause for Veterans, because who cares what party a person represents? Supporting Veterans should be a requirement for any legislative official, whether appointed or elected.

1. September 15, 2012
politics divide veterans!
by: SGT Jason R. Thigpen
It's crazy how politics can so easily divide our Veterans, you know? We should just leave
political parties out of our cause for Veterans, because who cares what party a person
represents? Supporting Veterans should be a requirement for any legislative official,
whether appointed or elected.
The sacrifices made by our service-members and Veterans are, after all, is why we have
our United States of America. Instituting the ideology, while in nature is "freedom-
based", it is also an easy way to divide our Veteran voice. If we, as Veterans, do not learn
how to work together in a non-partisan manner, we stand to lose the very inalienable
rights we've all sacrificed so much for. By staying aware of our surroundings through
listening to what our legislative officials and candidates pledge as their support to
Veteran related issues, we can then better judge whom best advocates and supports our
issues with an amicable resolve.
The phrase "Freedom Isn't Free" is so very true, as many of us have experienced first-
hand. It is our responsibility, as leaders and Veterans, to ensure the continued rights of
our community-at-large as our predecessors have in prior conflicts and wars! That's our
mission and that's our mantra!
In order to succeed in this we must remain professional and courteous while not merely
asking for what's already ours, but demanding such. Although some of us were drafted
and others volunteered to serve our Nation in times of war, and peace, our sacrifices
cannot be sold short by allowing our benefits to be any less than were intended when
granted us through our time in-service.
Accepting less than we deserve will be a detriment not only to ourselves, but our
families, friends, and the community as a whole. Statistics prove that Veterans get better
grades in school, get better jobs, start more businesses, and thusly pay more taxes than
any other segment in our population. Inasmuch our mission doesn't end upon our exiting
the service, rather it is vitally important to our society-at-large to continue in the same
from the "battlefield to home" in OUR United States of America.
SGT Jason R. Thigpen
Founder/President
Student Veterans Advocacy Group
www.mysvag.org