“Ideas that matter, since 1965.“ Volume 55, Number 5
Politics & Perspective
Cover Story (cont’d.)
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“There is no greater calling than service to country” By Chrissy Houlahan There is no greater calling than service to one’s nation. And if there’s one thing veterans understand, it is that service never stops.
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“We remember and honor the sacrifices, both large and small.” By Van Taylor At one point in every veteran’s life, they made the tough decision to leave behind the comforts of home to fight for a cause bigger than themselves.
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VA Update: Our Work for Veterans is Never Done By Jerry Moran Our country made a binding pact with our servicemembers. Upholding our end of the bargain is a moral obligation. Equipping Our Veterans for the Next Season of Service By Brad Wenstrup Too many of these servicemembers struggle to have their talents fully understood and utilized amidst transitioning back to civilian life.
7 Burn Pits Cannot be the Next Agent Orange By Mike Bost Otherwise-healthy veterans are suffering from uncommon cancers that may be result of exposure to open-air burn pits. The time for action is now. Cover Story - “What Veterans Day Means to Me” 11
“You kept us safe. You did your duty.” By Dan Sullivan Members of the United States military have done more to liberate humankind from oppression and tyranny ... than any other force in human history.
12 “We honor veterans’ service and sacrifice for this great nation.” By Tony Gonzales There is something incredibly unique about those who sacrifice so much to serve our country – who choose to run towards conflict in the name of freedom. Publisher The Ripon Society
Editor Lou Zickar
President Jim Conzelman
Deputy Editor Kyle Chance
Editorial Board Thomas Tauke Michael Castle Erik Paulsen Billy Pitts Pamela Sederholm Judy Van Rest Jim Murtha John Feehery
Advertising Coordinator Autumn Reed
© Copyright 2021 By The Ripon Society All Rights Reserved
Articles 18
The Mental Health Challenges of Veterans By Tammy Barlet Transitioning from active duty brings many challenges and mental health stressors.
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How Veterans View the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan By Kim Parker Like the public, they are deeply divided along party lines.
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We Said We’d Never Forget: Will We? By Joseph Reagan For the first time in 20 years, we celebrate Veterans Day in relative peace.
Sections 3 24
In this Edition By the Numbers - “Who are America’s Veterans?”
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RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2021
Comments, opinion editorials and letters should be addressed to: The Ripon Forum, 1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 or may be transmitted electronically to: louzickar@riponsociety.org. In publishing this magazine, The Ripon Society seeks to provide a forum for fresh ideas, well-researched proposals, and for a spirit of criticism, innovation, and independent thinking within the Republican Party.