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Cabell's Iraq War veterans see a lack of true patriotism
Andrew Blake, an Air National Guard veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, said the flag is a symbol of patriotism. But acting out its meaning by thanking a veteran, he said, is just as important. Blake currently works at The Vet Center of Huntington as part of his work-study from Marshall University.
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HUNTINGTON -- For a long while after Sept. 11, 2001, America's level of patriotism had reached its highest level in probably decades. But ribbons on trees and flags outside homes and businesses have disappeared, leaving some Iraq War veterans wondering where all the patriotism has gone.
"What I'd like to see is not only having the flag up, but do something about it," said Marshall University student and Air National Guard veteran Andrew Blake. "After 9/11, (patriotism) definitely went up, but it has gone right back down."
Blake, who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom for more than two years in two- and three-month stints, said acts of patriotism go much further than lighting red-white-and-blue fireworks on the Fourth of July.
"Talk to and thank a veteran," Blake said.
Jared Welker, also taking classes at Marshall and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, agreed. He said when people take time to show they care, everyone's morale can be lifted.
"An act of patriotism is something as simple as sending a Bible to a soldier," said the 27-year-old Hurricane resident.
Jason Smith, who signed on as an Army reservist in 1999 to get money for college and is now taking classes at Marshall, said like Blake and Welker that his commitment to his country went further than serving because of incentives.
"Patriotism for me is putting your nation's and fellow Americans' needs above your own," said Smith, who served overseas twice.
Blake said that he, too, was interested in money for college, but he also said he had a strong love for his country.
"I've just got a huge sense of pride," Blake said. "I don't think the military gets the respect it deserves."
His thoughts trickle back to his back-and-forth service time, when he would come home for a few weeks in between quarterly, overseas stints.
"Sometimes, it was hard coming back because people here didn't know how good (they had it)," he said. "We'd throw candy bars to little kids (in Iraq), and they'd get into a fist fight over it."
Smith said that while the war has seemingly dragged on, the original choices to go to Afghanistan and Iraq were the right ones.
"If we weren't there, (the enemy) would be here," Smith said.
Welker and Blake, however, said the government needs to bring the conflict to a close. And they pointed to the decline in patriotism as likely related to the low level of faith in the government.
"It's becoming a more political war than getting the job done," Welker said. "To hell with the politics, let's get them out of there with some dignity. I don't think we need to be there much longer."
As more soldiers come home, the need for veteran services also increases. Blake helped start the Marshall University Veterans Association, and he works at the Huntington Vet Center as part of his work study. He also is organizing a July 19 Wounded Warrior Project fundraiser.
"I'm proud to even be part of the Wounded Warrior Project and to work at the Vet Center," Blake said. "I'm proud every day. Every one of these guys that come through our doors is a vet."
