Unlikely Yankee Doodle

The word "patriotism" has been used quite often. This Fourth of July let us celebrate the "true patriots" — the American veterans — who have humbly served and died for this country since the American Revolution and continue to do so today.
by Donna Teresa Homefront Journal

Left, Tom Cruise played the role of Ron Kovic in the movie Born on the 4th of July

The beauty of reading a book about military conflicts is the discovery of learning about extraordinary individuals who have shaped this country's history and at the same time, force us to evaluate and think about the ugly consequences of war.

One story that has remained in my thoughts is the Ron Kovic story. Kovic was born on July 4, 1946.

People are familiar with his story from the Academy Award winning movie "Born on the Fourth of July" directed by Oliver Stone and his memorable quote: "I am the living death, the Memorial Day on wheels. I am your Yankee Doodle Dandy, your John Wayne come home, your Fourth of July firecracker exploding in the grave."

Kovic is a decorated U.S. Marine who grew up Massapequa, N.Y., who served two tours of duty in Vietnam and whose life changed forever when he suffered a severe wound to his spine that left him paralyzed…

Returning to the U.S. and entering the Veterans Administration system as a disabled veteran, Kovic's experiences shed light to the poor treatment being given to returning Vietnam veterans in our nation's V.A. hospitals and who gave a voice to our war disabled.

Disillusioned, Kovic became an advocate for veteran's rights and also became an anti-war activist. He remains one of the most important veteran advocates to stand up for the rights of his fellow war veterans during a time when being a veteran was not popular and especially during an unpopular war.

He led veterans on a 17-day hunger strike in 1974 to protest in front of then-Sen. Alan Cranston's office to demand better treatment for returning veterans and asking for an investigation of all V.A. facilities. His fight for veteran's rights brought national attention and he eventually spoke at the 1976 Democratic Convention.

Ron Kovic has become a critic of the Iraq War and has received his share of opposition from those who believe otherwise. However, whatever your thoughts are about this conflict, Americans are allowed to have the freedom of our opinions, thanks to veterans like Ron, who served and sacrificed for this country.

Whether you are for or against the war, let us remember that our servicemen and servicewomen are caught in the middle.

They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in life and in death.

America has its many imperfections; one of those is our willingness to look the other way when it comes to our treatment of our wounded and disabled war veterans from every war. America, we need to do a better job in helping them.

We must, in our gratitude, serve them as they have served us so unselfishly.

The word "patriotism" has been used quite often. This Fourth of July let us celebrate the "true patriots" — the American veterans — who have humbly served and died for this country since the American Revolution and continue to do so today.

I'd like to leave you with this quote from Ron Kovic: "We who have witnessed the obscenity of war and experienced its horror and terrible consequences have an obligation to rise above our pain and suffering and turn the tragedy of our lives into a triumph. I have come to believe there is nothing in the lives of human beings more terrifying than war and nothing more important than for those of us who have experienced it to share its awful truth."

Donna Teresa can be reached at [email protected].

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