It was only a “Welcome Home” conversation that led to, “this is my story, and I want to read more about it. How much is the book? My sister would love to read all about those first hand conversation of how much so many sacrificed.” This was a meeting at the Tampa Bay VA Dental Clinic, FL.

This is also an update about the author who is on the move again to Columbus, GA, next week for a Book Signing Event. Retired, Major Reece, a Vietnam Prostate Cancer survivor, is also an international bestselling author of “The Disabled Veteran’s Story: The Sacrifices of Our Veterans and Their Families”, who will be in town at the Fort Benning GA, Post Exchange Jun 26th thru July 3rd 2017 from 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs. He will also be available for questions and answers as well as on how others have said the right things right for the right results in regards to their Entitled VA Compensation Benefits in his book. He is looking forward to seeing you there or around town. Please share this information with your circle of friends and order your own personalized signed and dedicated book.

“Memorial Day” is a solemn day when the nation rightfully honors those who have given the ultimate sacrifice with a wreath at the tomb of the “Unknown Soldier”. It is hard for many of us to ignore those known soldiers or warriors on street corners, under bridges, in alleys, or under those trees in parks and in some cases abandoned homes or homeless campgrounds. Many of these warriors hear voices no one else hears, see things no one else sees and smells as well as taste things in their minds that takes them to the scent of the smoke from those burning pits, the depleted uranium from the tank armor or bullets fired, no one else understands or appreciates those invisible moments that are so real they are fighting in their heads. Many have Bad Papers/Bad Conduct Discharges as a result of those very loud voices and clear visions or nasty taste in their mouth and no entitlement to VA benefits. Our Homeless Veterans situation speaks as a reminder of those sacrifices endured for the freedom we share and should not be ignored. It is sadly understood, 22 or more “Known Soldiers”/”Veterans” are committing suicide in America daily. In my book, “The Disabled Veteran’s Story” www.miguelreece.com

the question, “Why Couldn’t I have Died Instead of Living Like This?” is a proverbial question asked. Often times it is masked with drugs as the answer or a way to forget. Is it “America First?” We don’t often speak to the number of spouses/family members who also commit suicide. As the Tampa mother who admitted to killing her two teenage children because they “talked back and were mouthy”. Her only regret is that she did not kill herself and believed her actions had saved those children from a life of depression and mental illness. It speaks to the conversation or is a reminder of those wars or battles that do not end on the battlefields off our shores during the warriors deployments. Homelessness among veterans has been effectively managed in Virginia, Connecticut and Delaware along with more than 40 communities which should be employed as a starting point benchmark practice for those known soldiers/veterans who sacrificed and are now struggling in society.

The choice of the best son in the world or living her dream of being one of the first female pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps was a no brainer. The dream as a little girl to fly a US military aircraft in support of the world’s freedom was considered insanity, this mother said, as she looked in the eyes of her only child, her caretaker, with such gratification. You see Miguel, in those days there was no room for mothers on active duty. A male with a spouse and a couple of children, as my two brothers had, was acceptable. As women, fighting the “good old boys’ club” we were unable to break through the glass ceiling standing on a cracked floor without leverage, she explained--“the more things change the more they remain the same.” The fight and struggle was over the day I got pregnant and was directed to resign my military commission. The best son in this world made me the best mother.

The Mother, a widow of a disabled veteran who had passed six months prior to her attending a book signing, claimed to feel helpless and hopeless with a mentally challenged adult child at her age. She picked up a book, glimpsed over the story about a veteran saying, “if I showed up at his home he would kick my butt,” and I explained, “Where I am from, you have to take a butt to kick a butt and I had a big butt.” She then realized, the veteran had a mentally challenged child and could claim her as a dependent for the rest of her life. When she read the story and started praising the Lord and the value of the book to her and her daughter, there was not a dry eye in the room. I later learned her daughter suffers from Spinal Bifida condition for which an offspring of a person exposed to Agent Orange could have transferred.

The Mother, a single parent and strong woman, with a Traumatic Brain Injured Son, who is fighting a new battle with what she calls a broken VA bureaucratic system and for the survival with the best quality of life for both of them; said, “The journey is not a simple matter and definitely complicates our daily lives. It is like being on an emotional roller coaster”. Every heart knows its own sorrow and the greatest casualty of war is to be forgotten is echoed by so many mothers. At the end of the day, a mother sacrifices her life to care for the son or daughter she gave life to—a mother’s creed.

The everlasting conversation and moment shared with the mother of three who had an emotional breakdown as they celebrated her spouse’s illustrious 26-years of service to this country and the world including those twelve deployments at her expense. He had walked on water and I was a failure, she said. Their daughter had attended three first grades at Fort Hood (because the post is so large), got pregnant at the age of thirteen, during one of those glorious make a difference in the world deployments. Their son attended ten different schools in twelve years, but was unable to do much in life because he made some bad choices. She stated, “I failed and he was a success.” I did my civic duties as the spouse of a well respected Sergeant Major in the US Army. Starting over so many times I never made it and he was a great success at her expense. It is a mother’s story so many mothers live with silently.

Let this be a very special Mother’s Day for all those who are struggling silently as we share a special acknowledgement to all Mothers. Please visit www.miguelreece.com and order a personalized signed dedicated book for a friend or an Amazon Kindle e-read book for yourself as you appreciate the true details of each of the aforementioned stories.

Thank you, for your kind consideration and the privilege of sharing these “Mothers Day” stories with all of you on this very special day. “SHARE” the love with your circle of friends.

Miguel Reece
Best Selling Author, Veterans and Their Family Sacrifices
Consultant/Coach

Hello family and friends, I thought of you when I read this reminder someone sent to me! Mark Linton wrote: A real man is the kind of man that when his feet hit the floor each morning the devil says Oh Crap, he's up! My friend, life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Take a few minutes to think before you act when you're mad. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it. Today is your day, send this to all your friends and me if I am one. Have a “Happy God Blessed Day”! ONE LOVE, YOU ARE LOVED!!! To all those who have touched my life and supported those veterans, their parents, spouses, family members and caretakers who sacrificed and urged me to have their stories heard. Here's to you!! A real friend walks with you, when the rest of the world walks on you or just ignores you. Please visit www.miguelreece.com

and read as well as reflect on those sacrifices. “SHARE” the love with your circle of friends.

Is there a really an answer to this question? Reflecting on the emotional roller-coaster feedback on the appreciation of those firsthand accounts readers shared in the last two years during my book signing events of “The Disabled Veteran’s Story: The Sacrifices of Our Veterans and Their Families” is unbelievable. Except for an anti-military objector, a 1968 draft dodger during the summer of riots around the country and Vietnam Tet Offensive, he did not go to Canada as his companion, but claimed to be gay and received a draft deferment. In 1977 President Jimmy Carter pardoned those hundreds of thousands draft dodgers who had left the country. I’m proud to have served and no longer ashamed of my service in Vietnam. I proudly wear a Vietnam Veteran baseball cap with “All Gave Some and Some Gave All—Time to Honor” proudly reflecting my pride. The Worse part was when he questioned the purpose of the acknowledgment of the veterans and their families’ sacrifices on Veterans Day. He said, “It is their chosen profession and why should the nation celebrate a special day for veterans?”

It was so unreal at "Thanksgiving Day" when I received so many heart wrenching phone calls claiming the effect of the book has been a blessing to their families for affording them the privilege of enjoying a Thanksgiving" and they wanted to thank me. A couple indicated their appreciation for the privilege of understanding their love one's behavior after so many years. The real tear jerker was the lady that said, “I heard you on the radio in Las Vegas and visited with you at Nellis Air Force Base, NV, at the book signing event. My spouse was the vet with stage four cancer and dementia who did not show-up for a VA physical exam and they suspended his pay and took two months back we had in the bank. You immediately had us call the VA, explain the undue hardship to our family, he had the physical exam, his pay was resumed and we are now having a wonderful Thanksgiving thanks to you. You are our blessing and you need to know this”. The mother with her daughter in a wheelchair, showed up during a book signing event at the National Harbor in MD, and the daughter noticed a picture with President Obama with his family along with a letter of gratitude for sharing my book with them, signed by Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The mother then opened a book to the second chapter, where the veteran claimed he did not need the VA in his business and if I showed up at his door he would kick my butt. I did show up with my big butt and noticed his daughter appeared to be mentally challenged. I later learned she suffered from Spina Bifida condition from which an offspring of a person exposed to Agent Orange would have transferred. Not knowing at first glance her medical condition I explained the child VA entitlement for the rest of her life with medical evidence showing her condition existed prior to her 18th birthday. There was not a dry eye in the room after the mother had glanced over those pages and broke down emotionally, claiming very loudly with the book in her had, “The stories are messages from “God” and a blueprint on what others have done to receive their entitled VA benefits because it is not what you say, it is how it is said and I thank this author for my blessing.” Or the man and his spouse who drove five hours to my book signing event at the Norfolk Naval Station after a chemo therapy treatment and said, “Miguel, I wanted to look you in the eye, thank you as I have often thanked the Lord for what you have done for my family and me with your cookbook on how to fight the new battle—VA Benefits”. Let us not forget the spouse and mother of three who just had to get away to the Fort Hood Post Exchange after an embarrassing break down at her spouse’s 26 years of Military Service Retirement Ceremony. She walked up to the table, picked up a book, looked at the cover and said, “Miguel, you don’t look like a Miguel.” I said, “What does a Miguel look like?” as I turned another book over and showed her my picture on the back side. She said, “I am very happy to see the family sacrifices are included in the title. What is the book about?” I miraculously shared the Coast Guard story about the emotional strain of the spouse who had to start over seven different times following the military member around the world as well as being the glue that keeps the family together, along with their daughter changing schools nine times in twelve years, with the deep emotional scars of being bullied. She said, “Miguel, you are a living Angel, you get it. I had an emotional break down as they celebrated my spouse’s illustrious 26 years of service to this country and the world including those twelve deployments at my expense. He had walked on water and I was a failure. Our daughter had attended three first grades at Fort Hood because the post is so large, got pregnant at the age of thirteen, during one of those glorious make a difference in the world deployments. Our son attended ten different schools in twelve years, but was unable to do much in life because he made some bad choices. I failed and he was a success. I did my civic duties as the spouse of a well respected Sergeant Major in the US Army. Starting over so many times I never made it and he was a great success at my expense.” Please “SHARE” this question with your circle of friends.

Visit www.miguelreece.com and order a personalized signed dedicated book for a friend or Amazon Kindle KDP for your e-read book.

Thank you, for your kind consideration and the privilege of your support.

Miguel Reece
Best Selling Author, Veterans and Their Family Sacrifices
Consultant/Coach

Good Day and Welcome to “those voices no one else hears or things many of our Veterans and First Responders see that no one else hears or sees”. This is truly real! Our Homeless Veteran’s situation speaks loudly as a reminder of those sacrifices endured for freedom. Many are with Bad Papers or Bad Conduct Discharges as a result of those voices and visions in their heads, no one else sees or hears which causes their denial of VA benefits.

Last week Ms. Leila Llewelyn, Adjunct Instructor, invited me to speak with some homeless veterans at the “Florida Volunteers of America—Helping America’s most vulnerable” in Cocoa, Florida which has revitalized my moral and ethical commitment to make good on my promise. Her noble and moral holistic commitment in acknowledging the homeless community dilemma as a manageable psychosocial opportunity speaks to her conviction to do whatever it takes to assist the homeless in rejoining society as a productive citizen.

If you have not read or perhaps have enjoyed the reading of those stories in my book as others have and appreciate the importance of saying the right things right to get the right results, then these chapters in our history are a firsthand account or the true meaning of sacrifices by so many. “The Disabled Veteran’s Story: The Sacrifices of Our Veterans and Their Families” is now available on Amazon Kindle (KDP) E-Read at a reduced price of $0.99 until next week, because I am trying to get as many downloads and reviews as possible. Your feedback is very important as a way to give back; create awareness of those struggles and sacrifices so many endured. It would mean a lot to the warriors and everyone who have endured those awesome sacrifices and me for your acknowledgement of their sacrifices.

I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you to afford me the privilege to make good on my promise to share the stories of the Sacrifices endured by the veterans, their parents, spouses, family members and caretakers with the world and not allow those chapters in our history to be forgotten. Too many veterans and VA beneficiaries are dying before or soon after receiving their entitled VA benefits.

So please take a minute to download my book--“The Disabled Veteran’s Story: The Sacrifices of Our Veterans and Their Families” and leave a review which may create an interest for others with your journey and the sacrifices of so many. My book will only be at this reduced price from $9.50 for the next week, so if you could download it before then, that would be great and/or tag-- share this request with your circle of friends.

Here is the link: https://amazon.com/dp/B00K0V8AD8

Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice! An emotional roller-coaster of a vivid example on the true meaning of sacrifices for the world freedom through sportsmanship has been truly a privilege shared by some. Being there, witnessing those smiles, many tears, numerous hugs and the cheers with the unconditional support for the courage of their conviction to represent the world. But what inspired me most were the thoughts of their sacrifices and journey to make it to the starting line, to take to the field or to dive into that pool, motivated by the goal of giving their all – That is the spirit of those true warriors. Those 4 days, 10 sports, 13 support dogs, 14 nations, 149 events, 410 medals, 485 competitors, a couple thousand friends and family members, hundreds of hours of grueling competition reminds me of those invisible wounds. It exemplified how sport activities had become a stimulus—a motivator as well as the best and greatest medication in fighting those invisible wounds as life goes with the battles of those demons, PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) along with Post Traumatic Sleep Disorder. It also aids in the holistic healing throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process as a “new normal”—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

I, too, am a casualty of the Vietnam Conflict and the author of “The Disabled Veteran’s Story” who had the privilege of being able to appreciate and write about the stories on adjusting after returning home, meeting citizens from the countries we fought years after. The irony of the conversation speaks to the fact that 90% or more of the game participants were injured in either Afghanistan or Iraq—what a true mental adjustment! The Afghan team of eight competitors, with eight dreams, ready and eager to compete; but were without a coach. In the spirit of the games, the Australian team stepped up and offered their support as brothers and sisters who sacrificed as well for world peace. A very noble act, those who have walked that mile understand. Another emotional and electrifying moment was shared by the entire stadium with a standing ovation when the Afghan female bilateral leg amputee struggled very hard to cross the finish line and everyone cheered her on to the end. The standing ovation did not stop there. During the 400 meter finals an American female runner passed the Italian runner a couple yards before the finish line but fell face down, inches before the finish line--the Italian runner came back after she crossed the finish line and helped the American runner roll across the finish line for the silver medal. One of the competitors said, these games have not only changed my life, it gave me a purpose to continue living. This is after she had pushed another competitor across the finish line so the competitor would finish second and win a silver medal for her country. The ambivalence of emotions I experienced watching the conviction of an Indoor Rowing competitor with one arm, a Power Lifter with both legs amputated, swimmers with their legs amputated or legally blind competitors with their guide dogs. I only learned after watching two remarkable star performers (MVP) on both the US Gold Medal winning teams--Wheelchair Basketball and Sitting Volleyball--had both legs amputated and were missing total usage of one of their hands.

From competition to competition, teams showed the world that the Invictus Games are not about the medals or the accolades; rather, the Games are about standing hand-in-hand with service men and women from around the globe with one shared vision – to show the true meaning of sacrifices as they represent their country and live their Invictus Story. For that reason, the Land Rover “Above and Beyond” was awarded to the Sitting Volleyball team from Georgia, who won a Bronze medal in the competition, after learning the game on Skype. The team was honored for their inspiring example of the Invictus Spirit, as not only competitors but also as teammates. Wow! Wow! What a privilege to have had the precious opportunity to appreciate the deeper side of true sacrifices. Those four days at the Invictus Games solidified my belief; the writing about the sacrifices of our veterans and their families is bigger than me and perhaps a higher power. Deep inside each and every one of us—there is a story. Don’t miss the privilege of reading about sacrifices by so many.

The stories are available for purchase through the website, www.miguelreece.com, as well as Amazon.com or an e-book from Kindle and www.BarnesandNoble.com. In Europe the book is also available through www.wordery.com. You will understand as well as appreciate why the disabled veterans, their parents, spouses, family members and caretakers urged me not to allow their stories to die or those chapters in our history to be forgotten.

Author shares the stories of the sacrifices endured by veterans, their families and caretakers at the Panamanian 4th of July Reunion. It was mesmerizing to sit and listen after engaging or opening the conversation about those chapters in history in my book--"The Disabled Veterans Story". I was truly humbled to observe the depth of the conversation and the feedback from those who had read the book previously. It was an indescribable couple of days at "The Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Virginia. The lady who came up and said; “I would like for my husband to have a copy of your book. He is in total denial of his service connected conditions. He believes he received the greatest benefits by coming home with all his body parts and his life; afraid anything would compromise his job security.” She called him on her cell phone and said; “You have to meet this Vietnam Prostate Cancer Survivor with lots of Agent Orange conditions.” Somehow he came down with his granddaughter to oblige his spouse and I gave him a book. He sat at the vacant table across from me--read the first chapter and became very emotional, walked back to my table, thanked me and thanked me, gave me $25.00 for $12.00 and said; “keep the change Miguel, this is my story, thanks for sharing it. There are only 200 of the Battling Bastards of Bataan still alive from the 70,000 General King had surrendered on the Philippine Island. I know! I survived the march which started April 10, 1942. So many people were able to identify with stories in the book or conversations I had with them previously and reminded me of my words; “Facts don’t lie, people lie about facts and it is not what you say, it is how it is said”. But in the middle of explaining the value of saying the right things right, a man walked up to me, shook my hand, gave me a very firm hug, then continued to apologize for not being there before. He said, I am Ricardo and I drove down from New York City after my scheduled chemo therapy treatment. I was told you were going to be here. I wanted to look you in the eye, thank you as I have often thanked the Lord for what you have done for my family and me; I want to shake the hand that wrote this wonderful, informative cookbook I was able to use after fighting the VA bureaucratic goat rope for ten years, after being exposed to Agent Orange in Korea. Do you know several of my friends who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC were also exposed to contaminated water and are now suffering from some real issues as well? My friend Luther drove down from Brooklyn, NY just to share his appreciation for the words shared in my book. He claimed those words afforded him the opportunity to say the right things, right and get his entitled VA benefits he had been fighting the VA for 15 years. Luther said, “The saddest or worse part of the struggles, fight and frustration was reaching out and seeking assistance from the service organizations and the fact that I hired an attorney in pursuit of my benefits, but he was confused on the best approach. My friend, Ret. Major Miguel Reece shared his wisdom, knowledge and understanding along with what others have said or done to get their entitled benefits in his book.” Luther gave them a copy of his hand-out. Ricardo’s spouse said; “The book is the best spent $12.00 ever. Ricardo is spiritually and emotionally together after compromising his health for so many years fighting the VA system; now with his weekly treatments, he is a lot better. It was a hard drive down, in the bad weather but he had to see you face-to-face and say, Thank you! You are his hero.” I broke down and just could not help controlling those tears. The conversation had taken me down an unexpected path. What I have done is only “God’s Work”.

The 2016 Panamanian 4th of July weekend celebration book signing was truly professionally and emotionally gratifying for me. The prevailing question has been,” why is the VA entitled benefits such a secret”? Some people would say, it is job security or a classified way for the managers to get their annual bonus. I believe it is an open book test that requires you to know where to find the answers. But I was a little taken back by the question from media during our conversation as well as my PR

We sacrifice and serve in the Armed Forces, which prompts a very concerning conversation regarding --who takes care of the caretakers and to what extent? And the extent of suicide in America, which brings to mind—military families serve too, they need better support in meeting the demands of our country.
A US Army Colonel, who was deployed in the Middle East, spouse shot their two teenagers twice, once in the head, second time - in the mouth “for talking back” called herself "a failure" because she didn't succeed at committing suicide after killing her children January 27 a couple of years ago.
The conversation which conceded with the number of those 22 veterans committing suicide daily is a deeply troubling statistic and has galvanized the veteran movement; both from inside the military, the veterans community as well as externally, to create awareness that impacts the whole family.
The resounding impact of a paralyzed veteran’s suicide message stating; his spouse of 59 years was more deserving to use their lifelong savings on more enjoyable things, than the medical expenses for him; she needed to enjoy the things they had saved for all those years; he could not continue to deprive her of a better quality of life or the benefits they invested in and he was ready to meet his maker, because he could not continue to live like this - a burden to his spouse or a menace to society.
The brother who said; “My brother, an Army veteran suffering from PTSD, took his own life this past Monday. We did not know how serious things got for him. I want to raise awareness! Please help support the surviving families as well as veterans and caretakers that are suffering quietly hiding or covering up their pain with drugs—alcohol or oxycontin and other drugs. Make sure you tell each one how important they are and how much THEIR LIFE MATTERS.”
An arrest affidavit said; the deployed military officer who had been deployed for the third time, spouse admitted the shooting of her 13-year-old son, twice in the head "for talking back" while driving him to soccer practice. She drove home, went inside and shot her 16-year-old daughter, in the back of head while the teen sat at a computer doing homework, then shot her in the mouth. The son was found in the SUV still in the passenger seat with his seat-belt on in the garage, the affidavit said”. The officer found the mother covered in blood on the back porch of her home. The officer spouse’s mother had called the police from Texas because she was unable to reach her daughter, whom she said was depressed and had been complaining about the children after a 21-day stay in a drug and alcohol treatment center. Who else cares about the caretaker?
The prevailing conversation as to why the suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day is because the number extrapolation is derived from data of only 21 states, and at least 11 states had not made a decision on data collaboration. Given that at least four states with large veteran population were not included in the calculations-----California, Texas, Arizona and North Carolina. A homeless person who has no one who can vouch that he or she is a veteran, or others whose families don't want to divulge a suicide because of the stigma associated with mental illness may pressure a state coroner to not list the death as suicide. If a veteran intentionally crashes a car or dies of a drug overdose and leaves no note, that death may not be counted as suicide. But the concerning facts are; how about the caretaker who serves as the bridge for the best quality of life for the patients? Who cares about the caretakers and to what extent? The slow pace of progress has been discouraging said a spouse, who has cared for the veteran and fought to keep him alive since he returned home from Iraq in 2007. She also finds it hard to understand, how the VA can hire more than 9,000 mental health clinicians—psychiatrist, psychologist, social workers and therapists since 2009 with such limited progress.
Have you ever heard the words; “I’m so tired, but I can’t afford to get sick or not be available for the love of my life because I have too much to do”? A veteran who had been married to the same lady for 59 years, wheelchair bound requiring total care for the last 10 years heard those words a couple of times. He had been a self proclaimed financial genius, who invested very well. His investments disqualified him from receiving any state or federal programs. Despite her hard work at their age, the costly medical care and household assistance were imperative. It was quickly depleting their lifelong savings at an alarming rate. His master plan had been to pay for his sister-in-law to visit and take his spouse out, so he could commit suicide and free her of the burden. In his suicide message he said; I apologize for being a burden but my spouse is more deserving to use our lifelong savings on more enjoyable things, than medical expenses for me; she needs to enjoy the things we had saved for all these years; I cannot continue to deprive her of a better quality of life or the benefits we invested in and I am ready to meet my maker; I cannot continue to live like this - a burden to my spouse or a menace to society. But sadly enough the spouse died of a broken heart, seven months later, a month after receiving her first Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment with the retroactive payment as well--as a result of his PTSD condition. The surviving children are fighting over the entitled estate benefits in probate court. What a travesty!
The veterans, their parents, spouses and family members have urged me to share their stories in, “The Disabled Veteran’s Story: The Sacrifices of Our Veterans and Their Families”, which is available at www.miguelreece.com; Amazon.com, Kindle or www.wordery.com out side the USA

Some people would say, “Haters will always be haters!”
Who would believe that it is more than 40 years since the Vietnam War ended, there are protestors who did not leave the country, but found deferments and are still objectors or haters of those who sacrificed so much and served?
Just cannot get over that anti-military hater I sat next to on the flight to San Francisco, who questioned the purpose of acknowledging the veterans and their family sacrifices for Veterans Day. He expressed his conviction that military members choose their profession and he did not observe any other profession the nation acknowledged for their service.
“Isn’t Veterans Day just another day like Christmas, Thanksgiving or Labor Day, so why do we owe the veterans and their families any special favor? He said.” “The police, firefighters and other frontline professions do not get any special favor, so why should the military?” In my opinion, his behavior was likely the baggage of hatred, too deep for him to really appreciate the actual history of Veterans Day.
Warriors came home from wars suffering from psychological problems with such a hard time returning to normal life and later suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. During my tour in Vietnam, I had strongly believed we were fighting a war to keep the wars off our shores and affording this nation the freedom to be free.
I was among thousands of Vietnam Veterans who returned to a society that viewed us with distrust and anger. The words “Welcome Home” were never uttered by cheering crowds or in airports. Instead, we were greeted with “Baby Killer,”antiwar chants, seen as losers and spat upon.
Our service for this nation has been a holistic journey that has included the sacrifices of our parents, spouses, other family members, friends and caretakers, as well. In our history, after wars or conflicts, the nation would show gratitude. Warriors returning home from World War II and Korea were greeted as heroes in the United States. Cities and towns across the country held parades to honor those returning. One of the most memorable was the parade through Times Square with confetti flying and the chronicling in Time magazine of the picture of the sailor kissing the lady.
Little do those haters know things like the Navy Seals Warriors Creeds? ”Leave no man behind” and “Failure is not an option.” Ignoring or conveniently forgetting the sacrifices and the family service to this nation are truly a failure of our society if we don’t appreciate the value of acknowledgement on Veterans Day”. Especially after reading those deep compelling stories and sharing the type of appreciation readers expressed on their personal journey through those chapters.
I was urged by the veterans themselves to find a platform to share those compelling accounts of our history. Their stories speak very loudly to their sacrifices and service which should never be forgotten. I accepted the opportunity to make such a difference in so many readers lives by answering the call to share “The Disabled Veteran’s Story; The Sacrifices of our Veterans and Their Families”, which has been reprinted due to the reflective and appreciative feedback received. Visit www.miguelreece.com, and order the book in support of all those who stood guard at home and around the world as we acknowledge the veterans and their families on Veterans Day.
Yes! We can enjoy the reading and appreciate the freedom. There is no better time than n
ow to show who we really are as a nation.

Back To San Francisco After 44 Years
There is always so much pride in every thought of the sacrifices and service we share for the type of freedom we enjoy as a nation. On this Veterans Day that is especially true as we reflect on the last 14 years, with a war, by far the longest in U.S. history that has been very costly with nearly 2,400 American lives lost as the war grinds on. The imposed sacrifices of the families are so brutal, and should not be ignored. The journey across the country for my book signings and all those emotional stories shared by spouses, parents, family members and caretakers speaks loudly to the need for family acknowledgement.
Walking through the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport on my way for a flight to San Francisco was surreal, proudly wearing a “Vietnam Veteran—All Gave Some —Some Gave All” baseball cap. After I got off the plane, the thank you just never stopped which was totally different than 44 years and 4 months ago, to the date on my way back from Vietnam. We were greeted with the words, “Baby Killer,” antiwar chants and spat upon.
I walked up to the counter at the gate and questioned the feasibility of changing my middle seat to San Francisco, she said of course, and “Welcome Home”. I lost it, as I vividly relived Jun 14, 1971, leaving Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam under attack on my way back to the World—USA, only to be spat on. It did not stop there. The reason she knew the right words; “Welcome Home”, is because her father was also one of the thousands of Vietnam Veterans who returned to a society that viewed us with distrust and anger. She said, but my father never mentally came back home or spoke about his tour in Vietnam and he really had some serious medical and mental issues that were called shell shock or combat stress. He would often hear voices no one else heard or see things no one else saw with real bad dreams.
The woman behind me said, “My son has made three trips to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. The President declared US combat role in Afghanistan over a year ago and now it is extended with a possibility my son will go back, leaving a spouse and three kids. Those kids are really the ones that are suffering most and I’m helpless as she started to cry”. As usual, I tried changing the subject by addressing how interesting it has been because so many people are either thanking me for my service or welcoming me home. I also explained the way I was welcomed home over 44 years ago and they would get angry and talk about those who left the country for Canada or sought medical deferment.
The American Airline counter clerk gave me a first class seat, only to sit next to a man who was anti military. He said, during those days I was fighting with the fact I was gay; played that card at the AFEES-Armed Forces Induction Center and did not go to Vietnam. He observed that those in the military choose that profession, as a policeman in any inner city, a doctor who works at Michael Jones Medical Center or an inner city clinic. That is what comes with their chosen occupation they signed up for, to be the police of the world in the military or to police our streets in the U.S. Isn’t Veterans Day just another day like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Labor Day? Everyone sacrifices, so why do we owe the veterans and their families any special favor?
That question really angered me to the point I really wanted to kick his butt for real, especially when I told him I worked for the VA for 10 years after serving 30 years in the US Air Force and he said you were a LIFER? I did precisely what I did 44 years ago, I subdued my passion. I asked him if he knew what a LIFER was. He said of course, LIFER is used to describe someone who is too scared of civilian life. Just like an NCO, No Chance on the Outside. He was told, LIFER is--Lazy Ignorant Fellow Expecting Retirement. For the life of me I could not explain why I really gave credence to his line of conversation. I stood up, got a book out of my carry-on-bag and recommended he read about the author on the back of the book and made it clear I was a career officer in the U.S. Air Force. I explained the story in my book of the shattered dream of one of the first female pilots and her having to sacrifice her career in order to have a family as she fought the glass ceiling. I also shared several others of the stories that speak to family sacrifices.
The last story in my book, speaks of the mother who just gave up on life and struggles with her traumatic brain injured son. I asked him to consider the Army Colonel., who was deployed in the Middle East (after multiple deployments), when his spouse shot both their children—13 and 16--- twice in the head with a .38 revolver. Police report stated that the mother admitted to killing her children because they “talked back to her and were mouthy”. But for some crazy reason I felt he needed to appreciate why it was imperative for this nation and the world to acknowledge the military, veterans and all their family member’s sacrifices.
I believe it is because after 10 years as a public servant, as I worked for the VA, visiting veterans and their families, at assisted living facilities, nursing homes, park benches, tree houses, camp grounds or any place they claimed to live. In the last year as an author, a veteran and their family sacrifices consultant, the value and need for acknowledgement has been the greatest therapy around for the military and the veteran community. Therefore, I felt his recognition could be a remarkable therapeutic achievement for him and maybe some good to someone. I gave him a book marker with my picture in uniform on it along with the address www.miguelreece.com for a signed book. I suggested if he ever wanted to wrap his arms around why the military or veterans sacrifices and service should be acknowledged, he could take a little time to read some of those chapters in our history. The stories in the book have been regarded by readers as so real. It is not all about disabilities or war issues; it is about life challenges so don’t be remiss in ordering a personally signed copy.
I always thought the 27- hour flight back from Vietnam to the world—USA was the longest flight ever, until I sat next to this true whatever you will call him man, from Dallas to San Francisco. Please tweet, “ThankAVet@ThankVet”. Leading up to Veterans Day, November 11, 2015, upload a video thanking a vet or a picture of a veteran with their family members #ThankaVet. Perhaps, tag your circle of friends and urge them to join us with a special national grass root Veterans Day acknowledgement movement at #ThankaVet. Let us celebrate and remember the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month 1918, generally regarded as the end of the war to end all wars.
The reality is that war does not end on the battlefield it is a state of being which continues to affect the warriors and their families for life.

The Panamanian reunion weekend concert series coupled with the women’s soccer World Cup championship game (congratulations!), and The Disabled Veteran’s Story book-signing stories have been a privileged moment of me to express pride in the country where I was born.
The emotional reflections of those who volunteered for the draft as a way out and their families’ recollections of the sacrifices during the Vietnam area were a hard ride down memory lane. Sharing those chapters in our history as they were shared with me--the reasons warriors volunteered for the draft to leave home--was truly a precious moment. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifices, shattered or broken pipe dreams of serving two years and going back to school; instead coming back home hooked on drugs, ashamed of their service to this nation with people spitting in their faces and never making it back to school.
The daughter of a lady who lived in the same community as the veteran in the chapter about “The Bureaucratic Journey of a Veteran” had some specific questions which lead to her actually emotionally recognizing him. Her mother expressed her perceptions of his value to society and the impact he had on so many in the community, a childhood hero everyone who knew him respected, until there was not a dry eye in the room. Just after most people had gotten over their emotional moment, another gentleman started sharing the story of a truly shattered dream.
One of our greatest, brightest, gifted athletes, who could have been anything he choose to be, instead volunteered for the draft to pave the way for the rest of his siblings and for his childhood love to leave Panama. He was sent to Vietnam and stepped on a land mine which resulted in having both of his legs amputated from the knees down. He was never the same nor did he live his dreams of becoming a bank president after playing pro basketball; instead he died of cancer, due to his exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange.
We also remember another childhood friend who was one of the best karate black belts in our community who went on to be a seven degree black belt who will be inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame in Orlando, Florida, whenever he gets out of the VA hospital. He too volunteered for the draft, and as the fifth person in line, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. While stationed at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, North Carolina, from 1979 to 1985, he drank the drinking water along with many other Marines and their families who have also come down with some type of mysterious illness, which to date the doctors have been unable/refused to make a diagnosis or prognosis. The doctors have informed him he’ll be on oxygen the rest of his life; he has been hospitalized 12 times this year.
Another tear jerker was the lady with her daughter in a wheelchair who was interested in the picture I had on the table of President Obama and his family. The daughter was very intrigued with the picture and asked a couple of questions about the reason I had the picture. Her mother picked up one of the books and started reading a couple of pages in the second chapter, “We Don’t Need and Won’t Allow the VA in Our Business” and found a part of the story that speaks to a mentally challenged daughter. This woman’s spouse was a Vietnam veteran, who had died eight months earlier, and it is likely he may have passed some genes down to his daughter which caused her to be mentally challenged. So as she read these lines in the book she started praising the Lord for placing me in their path as she cried and cried. She said; “God is good, you are my blessing, this book is a message from God.”
On the 4th I was on my way to the book signing wearing red, white and blue with a flag tie along with the baseball cap indicating I served in Vietnam; A family thanked me for my service and as usual, I said how I believe along with the service, we must also acknowledge the sacrifices of the families, parents, friends, caretakers and the veterans. I explained to them I was on my way to a book signing and asked if they wanted to purchase a book. The nine-year-old son asked if I would sign the book and shake his hand with the same hand I wrote and signed the book. He asked his parents if they have ever had an opportunity of shaking the same hand an author used to write a book. Of course I agreed to shake their hands and even offered to give him the pen I used for signing.
How fitting for everyone to watch the American Women Soccer Team Beat Japan on the Big Screen at the Gaylord National Resort in Maryland the during the 4th of July weekend.
Everyone has a story. Traveling down memory lane, we reminisce about the cost of the sacrifices for world freedom, along with sharing the real human stories associated with the compelling stories in The Disabled Veteran’s Story.
The greatest travesty of our sacrifices and service are to be forgotten.