Sandoval: Let’s give our heroes the credit they deserve – Daily Independent

By Lisa Sandoval | President, East Valley Veterans Parade Association

As I watch thousands gather in downtown Mesa each year for the East Valley Veterans Day Parade, I am reminded that behind each uniform is a unique story of service and sacrifice by service members – and their families.

The annual recognition of veterans originated after the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, with the armistice signed on the 11^th 11 o’clock^th day of 11^th month. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans, not just those from World War I. Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in the line of duty, Veterans Day honors all living veterans, active and retired military personnel from every branch of the U.S. military who have served in times of war and peace.

The annual East Valley Veterans Parade aims to highlight one of the many unique aspects of military life. This year we will highlight and honor the brave men and women who have served during the 20-year Global War on Terror.

Ignited by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Global War on Terror has seen more than 2.5 million American men and women answer the call to defend our nation. Local heroes like Pat Tillman, who left the NFL to join the fight and ultimately paid the ultimate price, symbolized young adults who were inspired to serve their county after the terror.

The average age of our forces was then only 33 years. More than 43% of them have been deployed more than once while facing unprecedented challenges in an urban environment against an unconventional enemy. This asymmetric warfare was new. The duration of this was unprecedented.

One-third of post-9/11 veterans live with physical disabilities, while about 300,000 deal with the psychological wounds associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Despite these challenges, veterans of the Global War on Terror have shown remarkable resilience. Nearly 1 million have graduated from college, and many have found success in Arizona’s booming defense industry.

This year’s parade grand marshal, Dan Piotrowski, is a living example of the resilience of our service members. After 9/11, Sergeant Piotrowski deployed to Afghanistan with the Colorado Army National Guard. After his enlistment, he returned home to a life that was nothing like the one he had before Afghanistan. Homeless, jobless, on the verge of divorce and haunted by the violent death of his Afghan translator, Piotrowski makes the difficult decision to leave his daughter behind to re-enlist in the army to be deployed to Iraq.

While in Iraq, an IED attack blew shrapnel into his face. After he was cured, he returned to duty despite the ever-present danger. The final attack that sent him home was a truck bomb that exploded near the camp’s perimeter. As a field communications specialist, he was able to restore communications within an hour – despite suffering a concussion.

Today, 12 years after his service ended, Piotrowski is happily remarried, a homeowner again, and leading a team for American Airlines as a crew chief. Reintegrating into civilian life and interacting with friends and family while battling invisible injuries is more of a challenge for him than he expected. “I’m still angry at the enemy and angry that my brain doesn’t do what I want some days. Despite my life-changing injuries, I wouldn’t change a thing about my military experience,” he says.

As veterans navigate life after service, it is critical that we, as a community, show our appreciation. The East Valley Veterans Parade on Monday, November 11 is one way to give these heroes the recognition they deserve. Opening festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Mesa, and the parade begins at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Center Street and University Drive.

But don’t stop there. In addition to coming to the parade, I hope you will support some of our parade participants who are dedicated to serving veterans. Groups like The Mission Continues’ Phoenix Service Platoon and Ruck 4 Freedom embody the spirit of continued service beyond military duty.

I’m proud to be a veteran; let’s let all our veterans know we’re proud of them!

Editor’s Note: Lisa Sandoval served as a Morse code interceptor in the US Army Military Intelligence Corps from 1993 to 1997. A graduate of ASU, she now works as a real estate broker in the East Valley and serves as president of East Valley Veterans Parade Association. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcome [email protected].