Sacrificing for your community: the time is right for you to join with your fellow citizens in helping the nation

VFW Magazine, April, 2003 by Raymond C. Sisk

In the last year or so, appeals to patriotism have been frequent. With the war on terrorism on everyone's mind, the need for individual participation in homeland security is easily understood. But how can one person make a difference?

You can by joining with other Americans working for the same goals. Though National Volunteer Week has long been promoted in April, this month is an especially appropriate time to take the next step. As we all know, patriotism without sacrifice is virtually meaningless.

One outlet for volunteerism currently being touted is the Citizen Corps of the USA Freedom Corps (see story on p. 14). Launched by the White House, it provides an ideal opportunity for those who want to become directly involved in domestic protection. All security--national or personal--begins at the local level. And it does not have to mean defense.

Opportunities for helping others are boundless. Just look at what your fellow Americans are doing. In the year after Sept. 11, 2001, 27.6% of Americans 16 and older--totaling 59 million--volunteered 52 hours on average, according to a Department of Labor survey of 60,000 households.

"They tutor, mentor, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams and help communities respond to disasters," one newspaper reported. Religious, educational and youth-oriented organizations benefit the most from volunteerism.

Anyone 55 or older has a unique forum for assisting. The Senior Corps--especially its Retired and Senior Volunteer Program--currently has 600,000 volunteers enrolled. During 2003, it hopes to recruit another 100,000 members. You can do everything from guiding children through life to counseling small-business owners how to succeed.

If civil defense and emergency preparedness is your cup of tea, then contact your local fire, police and/or emergency services department. Perhaps it offers citizen training. First responders can use a helping hand. After all, public safety is all our responsibility. As one volunteer leader put it: "It's a cultural change and a behavioral change that we're trying to create. The basic message is: Who's responsible in an emergency? You are."

It may not be easy, but something worth doing rarely is. The word sacrifice, in fact, has both symbolic and spiritual meanings. It literally means, "to make holy." America is in the midst of a worldwide war again terrorists bent on our destruction. That entails obligations on the part of citizens as well as soldiers. This relationship was finely tuned during WWII.

But such was not the case during the Korean and Vietnam wars. When sacrifice is not shared in some fashion, the connection between defended and defender fades. The President has requested a commitment of two years worth of work-weeks in a lifetime to community service. Make your best effort to help those who live in your neighborhood or serve on your behalf on foreign shores.