Are we doing enough?

Yesterday I joined fellow Patriot Guard Riders, folks from the Marine Corps League, and families and friends in welcoming home Marines who had been deployed to Afghanistan.  Our flags waved in the breeze, the Marine Corps band played, and shouts of joy accompanied the hugs and kisses.

While walking through the parking lot to my bike, I took the following picture.

It may be hard to read, but in the lower right hand corner of the window is written, "Deployment #10."

Ten combat deployments.

Let that sink in for a while.

Try to imagine what it is like for the Marine and his family left behind.

Then ask yourself if our nation is doing all it can for our warriors, our veterans?  Unemployment much higher than the national average.  Reducing pay and benefits for those on active duty.  Reducing COLA rates for military retirees.  Likely closing military commissaries, when many young enlisted families are on food stamps.

Are we really doing all we can and should for the Marine who just returned from his tenth combat deployment and his family?