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Veterans Day is a National Thank You to All Who Served

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While Veterans Day began as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’,” we now set aside November 11th as a time to honor our military men and women as a national thank you to all who served and are serving our country.

The history

1919

Armistice Day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in a message one year after the end of World War I. In it he stated, “To us in America the reflection of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.”

1924

In June, 1924, Congress requested a resolution from President Calvin Coolidge to deliver an annual proclamation for the observance of November 11th with “appropriate ceremonies.”

1938

Congress approved an Act on May 13, 1938 making each November 11th a legal holiday, “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.”

1945

In 1945, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, determined all veterans, not just those who served in WWI, should be celebrated. He led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who also supported the idea of a national Veterans Day. In many ways, Mr. Weeks is the “Father of Veterans Day” as we know it today.

1947

The first national celebration was held in Alabama and led by Mr. Weeks.

1954

On May 26, 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill establishing Armistice Day as a national holiday. Just a week later, Congress amended the new law by changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

1971

In accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. However, seven years later it was returned to November 11th, but celebrated on either Friday or Monday if it occurs on the weekend.

How can we say thank you to all who served?

Many who served, especially those on ships, were exposed to asbestos in addition to the dangers of their service. From WWII through Vietnam, veterans faced this unseen danger. Many ships continued in service long after Vietnam. In fact, of the almost 3,000 Americans diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma annually, a significant percentage of them served in the U.S. Navy.

Though the asbestos fibers were unseen, they were throughout the ships: fireproofing, steam lines, pumps, boilers, condensers, evaporators, distillers, turbines, deck material, and electrical equipment.

Since there can be 50 years between exposure and diagnosis, service men and women still suffer from diseases brought about through exposure on ships. In those same years, those at home were also exposed through building materials or other occupations.

Banning asbestos in the United States is long overdue. Let your voice be heard by contacting the EPA and letting them know you want a ban. There is no safe level of exposure. While we can’t turn back the clock for our military men and women who suffered exposure, we can say “thank you” by working to prevent exposure to their children and grandchildren. Click here to find out how you can be heard.

To Those Who Served

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veteran-flag

On this day we salute you who served and protected this great country. Those of us who have not served in the military will never fully know your sacrifice, but realize that you are greatly appreciated. Your gift to our country of time away from family, education, or career is worthy of more than one day of remembrance each year, but know this day of appreciation is heartfelt.

May you feel the love and respect of your country today and every day. God bless you and God bless America!

VA Lessens Need to Choose Between Hospice and Cancer Treatment

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Too often, cancer patients and their families must choose between traditional hospice limited to palliative care and active treatment of their disease. Fortunately, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has taken a lead in offering both hospice/palliative care and cancer therapy concurrently in the United States (US). This is a major step in what has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve quality of life for cancer patients, and, potentially a longer life as well.

Traditionally, when entering hospice, a patient transitioned to a new paradigm – new medical goals, new medical team, perhaps new surroundings. The intent was to provide comfort, symptom relief, and mental relief, both psychologically and spiritually. The US medical establishment has lagged behind the United Kingdom (UK) for the past two decades in merging palliative care into the full range of cancer care.

Palliative care in the US was recognized for its financial benefits initially. Through this model, resources were used more effectively and there were fewer readmissions – both highly prized in the Diagnosis Related Groups reimbursement model, which sets payments and penalizes hospitals for readmissions. But creating a system where patients must choose either hospice or treatment has significant drawbacks. People on the palliative care of hospice no longer had access to treatments that could possibly give them better quality of life, or even extend their lives. Those patients who chose treatments, but not hospice, were denied the extra support and management of symptoms that palliative care offers.

In the 2015 Quality of Death Index, the US came in 9th place behind the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. However, the Centers for Medicate and Medicaid Services (CMS) is currently piloting a new program for Medicare beneficiaries that could change that standing. Patients in the program can receive both palliative and anticancer therapies through any of 140 Medicare-certified hospices enrolled for a period of five years. Patients must fit certain criteria to participate.

Hurdles remain before the US can move up the ladder to providing the best care in the world to its citizens, but with the VA leading the way, and the CMS providing a pilot program for comprehensive care, the US can move up a needed rung on that ladder.

Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) Announces New Program in Cancer Fight

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The VA, Washington University, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) have joined to initiate a new Radiation Oncology Practice Assessment (ROPA) program. For the first time, radiation oncologists will be provided continuous feedback on the headway made in cancer therapy through new and innovative information technology techniques.

There are three major treatments for cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Approximately 60 percent of patients undergo radiation. This program plans to use the information gathered to improve cancer treatment for our Veterans who comprise a large portion of cancer victims. The first year will concentrate on the review of treatments for prostate and lung cancers, including mesothelioma.

Bruce D. Minsky, MD, FASTRO, chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, stated, “ASTRO is deeply committed to improving the quality of cancer care for our Veterans and all Americans. Our cancer experts are enthusiastic about this new opportunity to better measure and enhance radiation delivery with the goal of producing high quality patient outcomes.”

With this assessment, a more complete determination of a patient’s therapy and their response to it can be provided to the oncologist. The goal is the ability to more closely pinpoint therapies that succeed in the fight against cancer.

Pearl Harbor: A Test of American Resolve

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December 7, 1941 – a watershed moment in United States history as 2400 Americans died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. There was shock, horror, and an enormous sadness as the realization of this tragedy sunk in and the knowledge that a war for the US had begun, bringing even more death. But there was also a gathering together that we would stand united with our allies to do whatever was necessary to protect our country and defeat our enemies.

Sixty years later, that American spirit was seen once more as we experienced the largest loss of life from an attack on US soil since that day in 1941. Again, we pulled together as this tragedy touched the hearts of every person in all fifty states.

We currently hear of, and experience, the divisions within our country – and they are real. But at the core, we are all Americans who are proud of our country – a country imperfect in many ways – but a country that is willing to send its citizens in harms way to assist freedom in other parts of the world. A country that cares about this planet, that cares about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for each person and their freedom to be the best they can be. From these horrible experiences, we take stock and realize the immense privilege we have to live in this country of opportunity and re-commit to our part in ensuring that the United States of America continues to lead in freedom and justice for all.