Veterans and Kevin Dobson

[flossieskid]

I know I spoke about planning to attend the memorial service for actor Kevin Dobson recently at the Veterans Cemetery in Westwood CA. Having worked for Kevin for many years, I thought I knew all that he had done for veterans. But, I was absolutely flabbergasted at all he accomplished for the men and women in the armed services throughout his life. Donating countless hours of his time to develop programs and solicit and engage other volunteers is such a testament to the incredible giving and caring man Kevin was.

I also made a very significant error when I said that Kevin’s Memorial Fund to help provide food for Vets served over 650,000 meals in 5 years - it was 650,000 since Kevin’s death in September 2020!! AMAZING! The saddest part of that is, still, so many veterans suffer from food insecurity on a daily basis.

There were many impressive speakers and honored guests at the service, but some of the facts presented blew me away! Did you know that 20 Veterans die by suicide every single day in this country? Also, that 25% of all mentally ill people living on the streets are veterans? Veterans make up around 30% of all homelessness. These statistics were just staggering to hear.

When Brenda posted the copy of Earl Hamner’s draft card and the handsome picture of her father in uniform and then I remembered Jason and Ben Walton served their country on the show, I realized how so many of the people in this country have family members who served in the military and, sadly, many are then forgotten by this country. That just shouldn’t happen.

I am embarrassed to admit that my own father AND husband served in the Army and I have never participated in any programs for veterans’ assistance or appreciation. Shame on me! I found out, at Kevin’s service, that SAG-AFTRA has a special department to develop and maintain programs focused on providing many levels of help for veterans who are currently active or retired servicemen or women.

I really didn’t pay much attention to the military storylines on the Waltons, but I think I will need to revisit those episodes. I give kudos to Earl and the writers who brought those stories to life. I wish I had thought more of what they gave to their country and all that we should give back to them in their ongoing time of need.

[Easton]

Nov 14, 2021 5:38:02 GMT -5 flossieskid said:

I also made a very significant error when I said that Kevin’s Memorial Fund to help provide food for Vets served over 650,000 meals in 5 years - it was 650,000 since Kevin’s death in September 2020!! AMAZING! The saddest part of that is, still, so many veterans suffer from food insecurity on a daily basis.

There were many impressive speakers and honored guests at the service, but some of the facts presented blew me away! Did you know that 20 Veterans die by suicide every single day in this country? Also, that 25% of all mentally ill people living on the streets are veterans? Veterans make up around 30% of all homelessness. These statistics were just staggering to hear.

I am not, in the least, surprised by this, and it has become worse in the past few years, especially now that so many Americans consider them "losers". I fear that stigma will be with us for a very long time.