Veterans Day Op Ed: Serving Those Who Served

09. Nov, 2010 0 Comments

Serving Those Who Served
By Terry Tottenham

On Veterans Day, we come together as a nation to honor our brave men and
women in uniform who have put their lives on the line for our country — and
to remember those who didn’t make it back home to their families.

But honoring our veterans shouldn’t be confined to just one day out of the
year. Our veterans and their families deserve much more. Our nation has a
proud military tradition, which continues through the men and women
currently serving in this country and on foreign soil. Once our servicemen
and women return home, it’s up to us to ensure they are treated with the
dignity and respect they deserve — but unfortunately, that is not always the
case.

As President George Washington said, “The willingness of our young people to
serve in any war … is directly proportional to how they perceive the
Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated.” These words resonate
just as strongly today as they did when spoken. Many of our veterans are
returning home to find themselves facing various hardships and challenges as
they transition back into civilian life. They may be struggling with serious
medical problems or suffering from the mental stresses of combat or unable
to access the benefits they are due. They may have family problems or
financial struggles or be at risk of losing their home. They may find
themselves in need of medical, legal, or financial assistance but not know
where to turn for help or how to get started.

Texas lawyers want to do their part to thank our veterans and are committed
to helping veterans make a successful transition home. Lawyers across the
state are volunteering for a program called Texas Lawyers for Texas
Veterans. This State Bar of Texas initiative establishes pro bono legal
clinics where volunteer lawyers provide free assistance, advice, or
referrals to military veterans and their families who cannot afford basic
legal services.

This month, to commemorate Veterans Day, legal advice clinics for veterans
are taking place across the state thanks to the efforts of countless
volunteers who want to give back to those who have given so much to this
country. Many of these attorney volunteers are veterans themselves or have
family members who served or are currently serving. For all of them, it is a
chance to express their gratitude to those who have defended our nation and
fought to preserve the ideals of our country. In addition, veterans legal
clinics are now being offered on a regular basis in every major metropolitan
area of the state. To learn more about when clinics and events are planned,
visit www.texasbar.com/veterans.

As part of the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans initiative, we are
partnering with veterans groups, mental health professionals, and government
agencies to ensure veterans have access to the care and resources they need.
Veterans groups and social services providers in this state are working
tirelessly to provide veterans with necessary help and services, but the
need remains great.

I believe we all have a responsibility to help serve those who have served
us. As a former Marine, I am proud to be part of the effort to move our
state and nation toward the goal of improving services for our veterans. As
the beneficiaries of the freedoms our armed forces have fought to protect,
we owe it to our veterans to give them our time or expertise by volunteering
with a local veterans group or community organization that serves veterans.
The highest gratitude we can show them is not to utter words of appreciation
but to live by them.

Terry Tottenham is president of the State Bar of Texas. He serves Of Counsel
to the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.