The United States continues to be a country with a special place for military veterans. Without a doubt this is because Americans feel that they those men and women who fight for their country in wars are owed due respect and reward for a debt that although it can never be repaid, but can be honored with many forms of gratitude.
Memorial Day, May 31st, is a day to pay homage to soldiers who gave their life for this country. And the observation of this holiday is perfectly noble and appropriate, but we must also be realistic and recognize that many times we let the opportunity to pay homage to veterans that are still alive and fighting for our country pass us buy. Too often we forget to pay this tribute once Memorial Day is over, unjustly forgetting, and abandoning our soldiers.


Be they veterans of wars long past like World War II, the Korean war, Vietnam, or the Persian Golf, or of more recent wars, like Iraq and Afghanistan, Hispanic veterans are marginalized and discriminated against despite the fact that thousands of Hispanics stand up for the U.S. in military conflicts. Society has a debt to pay to these veterans who gave their all and risked their lives so that the rest of us could live and work in freedom.
There are official studies to determine veterans’ courage during wartime, in which they determine whether or not soldiers are worthy of the Congressional Medal of Honor. These studies focus on whites, Asians and blacks. None focus on Hispanics, despite their participation and enormous courage in every war America has fought. Hispanics are the on political leaders’ political agenda. Voters, especially Hispanics, must also contemplate which candidates stand up for Hispanic veterans at the same time as they recognize the value of the actions of Hispanic veterans and pay their respects to those who gave everything defend freedom for all Americans. We must all be committed to remembering our veterans and taking real action to make sure they are duly rewarded.

In the interest of justice for veterans and their families, America must honor the Hispanic Americans that have given their all on the battlefield so that the stars and stripes can continue to wave in freedom, under which this country has continued progressing.
Among veterans its often commented that in this life you can forget many things, but never your experiences under enemy fire with your brothers in arms. It would be only right that this country and its society for which Hispanic veterans have fought, would also remember them and pay them the respect they so deserve, with honor and justice for all, be it for the veteran that fought in World War II, or Vietnam, or for those who sacrificed health, loyalty, and dreams in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Recognition for Hispanic veterans that fought, that still fight for the United States and its people is a pending debt that must be paid. Veterans have already paid more than their share in sacrifice and courage.
Honoring the 1.1 million Hispanic veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces corresponds to all of us as Americans; we can do it a thousand different ways on a daily basis.