VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

posted by Lucy Valencia

The federal Veterans Day holiday is only about a week away.

Though it often feels as if this is a nation can half-forget that its sons and daughters are in combat when most of us are busy with our daily lives, Veterans Day calls the entire country to stop and honor those who have fought for our freedom.

On Friday, the 11th day of the 11th month, the U.S. pays homage to all veterans who have served our country in past and current conflicts.

We remember in the same way that the families of soldiers, sailors, Marines and aviators always remember one thing—war can never be erased. And war can never be forgotten. Not even for a single second.

But how are our communities helping those who have returned from war? How have those who risked their own lives coped with residing in American daily life? How are we honoring those who lost their lives fighting for freedom?

Arizona Week's Michael Chihak spoke with Commander of the Order of the Purple Heart, David Alegria, last week to discuss the importance of the Purple Heart and how his life forever changed once he had been at war.

Vietnam veteran Dan Ross and Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Abel Moreno will be interviewed side-by-side this Wednesday to discuss some of the issues local veterans face.

Arizona Week will also be interviewing Cathi Starr, the Regional Manager for the Arizona Department of Veteran Services in Tucson and Air Force Veteran from the Gulf War era. Starr has worked with veterans and their families to help them receive their benefits for more than a decade.

Tune in on Friday to hear more on what these brave veterans share with us for the special Veterans Day program.