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Today we honor the men and women who have served in our military.  We also honor family members whose sacrifices too often go unnoticed.  But as I watch the Memorial Day celebration in Washington, D.C. and hear the stories about those who have died or are left with physical and emotional injuries, I cannot help but go back to the question I have had for a long time.  Is our government doing enough to support veterans and their family? 

Kimberly Hefling, wrote in her article titled, “Children of fallen troops turn to each other,” posted on May 29, 2011, that kids left without a parent have formed a bond where they get together for events like the annual “good grief” camp organized by Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.  Here they are not judged or misunderstood.  They become an extended family with a bond based on shared experiences. 

As I read the article there was this one thing that stood out, even if only mentioned briefly.  With more than 4,300 children of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan one of the issues they face is “not just [losing] a parent but their home, too, because they had to move off a military base.” 

I had no idea that families were forced to move at a time when they needed the help and support the most. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43209254/ns/us_news-life/)

On the OSU Tour website, an article titled, “Children of Fallen Soldiers Camps” highlights some of the problems children face when they loss a parent to war.  The article list statistics showing that children from fatherless homes have a higher rate of being incarcerated, quit school, become easily violent and a number of other problems.  One thing that can help, according to psychologist, is for the child’s routine to remain the same. (http://www.osutour.com/mentoring.html).

Since 2005, many military bases have been abandoned and sold to save money. I cannot help but question why Pentagon places the value of saving money over the needs of military families.  Why not keep some open for additional military housing, while renting other buildings on base to the local towns or private businesses.  This way children can remain in the houses they call home, they and their mother or father have the support of friends and neighbors, and the rents remain low allowing the family to pick up the pieces to move forward.  It just seems like the right thing to do.