Montgomery County, when it comes to Veterans, is bar none, amongst the top counties in The Country. And still with Veterans Day over a month away, to us, for Veterans, well, Veterans Day is everyday. Many Men and Women who have served Our Nation, in peace, cold and hot wars; those that have wounds, mental, physical, or both, and those that serve their fellow Veterans with a passion, we all think about our service each and everyday. Veterans serve their fellow comrades in all capacities, whether it’s just sitting down and talking, to mentoring those who have gone afoul of the law, to taking a plate of food to the older Veterans at events. Then you have Veterans who care for the Veterans who have passed away, making sure their resting places are properly taken care of, to Veterans who use humor as a way to heal wounds. We have many Vet owned businesses. Then you have Veterans who help other Vets who need assistance medically, whether it is taking them to a doctor’s appointment, or to the emergency room, or drop by their homes to assist in the healing process following a hospitalization. We also have numerous Veterans organizations that take in Veterans who have mental wounds that take years to heal. They help Vets to regain a positive gait, taking away an urge for self-harm, to rejoin society to make a difference and help others. Yes, Montgomery County is a very special place. Our reverence for Veterans who have served Our Nation Honorably, in whatever capacity, whatever time, well, it means something. It warms The Heart, and further deepens Our Commitment to respect and honor those who served so that we will remain Free as a people in The Greatest Nation on Earth.
We have many in Montgomery County that although they were not in Our Nation’s military, which is OK, because not everyone is able to or wanting to make the commitment, and again, it’s OK, because we all have our part to play in life. But we Veterans owe a special debt of gratitude to those who have stepped up in their dedication to showing us their gratitude and love. As a member of the Lone Star Honor Flight Veterans Group, we show love to Jack and Mary McClahan for giving us a place to gather weekly, fellowship, and be with our friends. We thank the cadre of restaurants who bring the Vets breakfast in turn each Wednesday: Vernon’s Kuntry Catfish, Clint’s Katfish Katering, Pizza Shack-Montgomery, Amore, Rudy’s, and The Conroe Service League. Our Veterans group is the only one in Our Nation that meets weekly with breakfast provided, and each of those restaurants and groups deserves your business. They are exceptional in their giving and are humble in doing their bit to Thank the Veterans.
The concept of a Veterans Court, a special court designated for individuals who are Honorably Discharged Veterans, and are going through the court system with minor offenses. The court understands the circumstances of military service, and the implications that civilian life can have on those who have served if they offend the law. Once a Veteran agrees to go through the program of intense counseling, medical testing, meeting with mental health personnel and mentors, and attending mandatory court sessions, plus completing the phases that the court sets; then upon graduation, the Veterans record is expunged. Destroyed. And the Veteran walks free with a clean record. Judge Kathleen Hamilton, of the 359th District Court in Conroe, and her staff, volunteer their time in holding their bi-weekly docket for over ten years. Even the bailiffs in her court are all Veterans The District Attorney’s office also has prosecutors who work with Judge Hamilton in completing the mission, working with the Veterans in helping to right themselves in the eyes of the law. Then you have a mental health specialist from the VA, or local non-profit organizations, as well as Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, which coordinates the Veteran Mentors for the courts, as well as mentors who go into the Veterans Pod at the Montgomery County Jail. Just being a Veteran in the county, gives you that extra little step up, even if you have offended the law. Nicole Dillon, and her team at Tri-County, need to take a bow for their efforts. Thank you.
There are many Veterans groups in Montgomery County, from the Veterans Administration on down that extend a helping hand to many Veterans. The county has a Veterans Service office in Conroe, but there are numerous Veteran organizations that have set up their own non-profit programs to help Veterans in our area with residential programs such as The Birdwell Foundation’s Camp Valor, The Mighty Oaks Foundation, FOB Razor, Camp Hope, amongst others. Of course, the VFW, DAV, and American Legion are all there as well. The organizations have many graduates that have gone through the programs themselves, graduated, and stayed on to help the next generation of Veterans who need the help.
The Lone Star Honor Flight Veterans Group has a special group of humorous guys that call themselves ‘The Wisecrack Warriors,’ who sit around telling jokes and insulting each other with a great love for one another. No one is offended. That’s the rules. If you can’t take a joke, then you get kicked out. The fun has since grown into a Non-Profit 501(c)(3), and it’s slowly building, with a request to start a chapter in Cypress if memory serves.
On days when one of us is down with illness, we rally. We find out what’s going on, and go visit. If one passes away we go and pay our respects, and if needs be read a poem to honor their memory. As Veterans, we get to know everyone, a retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant General officer, will have no shame in helping a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer as he changes a bandage on an injured foot. That shows real love amongst our Veterans community, amongst ourselves.
And the talking and constant social media presence of Veterans is so important in helping brush away the demons that have robbed sanity from us in the past. Just being a part of it is really special. If you have lost all emotion over the years, the chances are you can refill that emotional well; to be able to feel again, to make friends, and love again. Not only to love our fellow Veterans, but build or repair a love for that special person in our lives. We Vets are huggers. Even the toughest amongst us, the few with dozens of confirmed kills, once not giving a care at the sight of a dead enemy just feet away, is now able to give a hug and shed a tear, while holding his child with the greatest of ease and care. It takes years to heal, but we get there.
We also take care of our homeless Vets, like Vietnam War tunnel rat, Jeff, in Montgomery. A man terrified of confined space, of which a group of followers in Montgomery anytime they spot him, drop him $5, $10, $20, or $50, so he is able to grab a bite to eat. It’s just something that is done with no regard for payback, for a man who has lived a lifetime of mental and physical pain for his willing service in a foreign land a long time ago.
Of course, no column like this cannot go without mentioning the Father of Montgomery County’s Veterans Memorial Flag Park, Judge Jimmie C. Edwards III, the Chairman of our Veterans Memorial Commission. Wounded in Vietnam as a young U.S. Marine, losing his legs, and determined enough not to return home until he was able to walk again; his drive for life leaves many kids in the dust even today. As a former State Representative and County Judge, his vision and influence to turn a swamp into the most hallowed ground in Montgomery County is nothing short of amazing. It’s a testament to his will, in putting our little piece of The World on the map. A place where Veterans can go in peace and remember, Gold Star Mothers can assemble and meditate on reliving memories with their lost soldiers, all at a place that is being called ‘A Gift to The Nation.”
In Montgomery County, Veterans helping Veterans is a natural thing. It’s incredible how Veterans humble themselves for Veterans, and for others as well. There is real brotherhood there. For when a Veteran calls in desperation, someone is gonna answer.
Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net