Walking Tall

You can feel it in the air. As I walk through our community there is a sense of electricity, hope, anticipation and deep-felt pride.

The proposal created by members of our small town is brilliant and we all know it. It is such a win-win for everyone...the community, the VA, and mostly, the veterans who use this facility.

If the powers-that-be do not see the magic of its cost effectiveness and the potential of its healing for veterans, then there is something very, very wrong in the system.

Our South Dakota legislatures and our governor are on board. They realize the power of this proposal. If our local government gets it, we believe that the guys in Washington who manage the care for veterans will also get on board our veteran's train.

At the end of our brief time on this earth, most things that we fussed about during our lifetimes will fade to nothingness. What I hope remains for me is the legacy I will leave. When I touch the lives of others, bringing support and comfort, that is what will be with me as I say goodbye to my years of teaching, counseling, parenting, writing, and, at this time, working with a diverse group of people who put aside their political, religious, cultural, social and age differences to unite for a common cause.

During the past six hectic months of planning, writing, drawing, researching, baking, fund raising, marching, speaking and meeting and meeting and meeting again and again, we have proved to ourselves that we can rise above our differences to formulate a plan that will serve all of our veterans who have served our country.

Our working together through many dark times of negativity, is, in itself, a legacy worth leaving. There is a bounce in our steps. We are walking tall!