Sandoval: Let’s give our heroes the accolades they deserve

As I watch thousands gather each year in Downtown Mesa for the East Valley Veterans Day parade, I’m reminded that behind each uniform is a unique story of service and sacrifice by service members — and their families.

The annual recognition of veterans originated when World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918, with the armistice signed at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans, not just those from WWI. Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died in service, Veterans Day honors all living veterans, active and retired service members, from every branch of the U.S. military, who served in wartime and peace.

The annual East Valley Veterans Parade seeks to spotlight one of the many unique aspects of military life. This year, we will highlight and honor the brave men and women who served during the 20-year Global War on Terrorism.

Sparked by the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the Global War on Terrorism saw more than 2.5 million American men and women answer the call to defend our nation. Local heroes like Pat Tillman, who left the NFL to join the fight, and ended up paying the ultimate price, typified young adults who were inspired to serve their county in the aftermath of terror.

The average age of our forces then was just 33 years old. More than 43% of them deployed more than once while facing unprecedented challenges in urban environments against an unconventional enemy. This asymmetric warfare was new. The length of this was unprecedented.      

A third of post-9/11 veterans live with physical disabilities, while an estimated 300,000 cope with the psychological wounds associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Despite these challenges, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism have shown remarkable resilience. Nearly 1 million have pursued higher education, and many have found success in Arizona’s thriving defense industry.

This year’s parade grand marshal, Dan Piotrowski, is a living example of the resilience of our service members. After 9/11, Sgt. Piotrowski deployed to Afghanistan with the Colorado Army National Guard. After his enlistment, he returned home to a life that in no way resembled his pre-Afghanistan one. Homeless, jobless, about to be divorced and haunted by the violent death of his Afghanistan interpreter, Piotrowski made the difficult decision to leave his daughter to re-enlist with the Army to deploy to Iraq.

While in Iraq, an IED attack blasted shrapnel to his face. Once healed, he returned to duty despite the ever-present danger. The final attack that sent him home was a truck bomb that exploded near the perimeter of camp. As the area communication specialist, he had communications back up and running in one hour — despite suffering a concussion.

Today, 12 years after his service ended, Piotrowski is happily remarried, a homeowner again and leads a team for American Airlines as a crew chief. Assimilating into civilian life and socializing with friends and family while battling invisible injuries is more challenging for him than he expected. “I am still angry at the enemy and angry that my brain doesn’t do what I want it to do some days. Despite my life altering injuries, I would not change anything about my military experience,” he says.

As veterans navigate post-service lives, it’s crucial that we, as a community, show our appreciation. The East Valley Veterans Parade on Monday, Nov. 11 is one way to give these heroes the accolades they deserve. Opening festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. in Downtown Mesa and the parade starts at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Center Street and University Drive.

But don’t stop there. Beyond coming to the parade, I hope you’ll support some of our parade participants who are dedicated to serving veterans. Groups like the Phoenix Service Platoon of The Mission Continues and Ruck 4 Freedom embody the spirit of continued service beyond military duty.

I’m proud to be a veteran; let’s let all our veterans know we’re proud of them!

Editor’s note: Lisa Sandoval served as a morse code interceptor in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Corps from 1993 to 1997. An ASU graduate, she now works as a Realtor in the East Valley and serves as president of the East Valley Veterans Parade Association. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.