Page 5 - 37973-G-01_NERA_Mariner_Vo64_No1

EXECUTIVE COUNSELOR'S MESSAGE

Looking Out for All Reservists

As I was contemplating what What is their stated mission? How long will they be
to write, I realized that I do needed? The little coverage the news media gives the
not have much information to Reservists never gets sufficient answers. I worry about
pass along, due to little activi- the families and want everyone to know that all military
ties with our Chapters and the families can speak to a trained professional 24/7 for free
Navy. It finally occurred to at www.veteranscrisisline.net.
me what I should be making
a top priority. As a reservist, Why should we be concerned about this? Put yourself
when we got activation orders, in the Guard’s place and what they and their families
Geno Koelker we generally had a good idea have been dealing with. As the saying goes “if they can
Executive Counselor
where we were headed, what do that to them, what is stopping them (politicians/
our mission (support or otherwise) was, and a general leaders) from doing it to us”? As a Reservist, we should
time frame to complete this mission. With the unsta- be concerned and ask for answers and clarification. As a
ble conditions we are facing at this time, we would all taxpayer, from the states where these Guard units were
like some clarification from the political leaders on these drawing from, they should be concerned with who is
questions. Watching the different news reports about paying the bill, on top of the other questions. I have
conditions is like watching the grass grow; very unpro- not heard sufficient answers. In Illinois, I wonder where
ductive, especially at this time of the year here in the our Representative Major Adam Kinzinger of the Air
Midwest. National Guard is on this? I haven’t received any com-
munication from his office (as one of his constituents)
We have all watched what happened in D.C. last month. or in the news media. I feel, as a Reservist, we should
We have all seen the pictures of our fellow reservist, the all demand further clarification and answers from our
National Guard, and their treatment after activation. leaders. I am also asking the leaders in all the Reserve
Even though they are a different type of reservist, we communities to start demanding answers. I am ask-
should all be concerned about what is happening to ing families and friends of these Reservists to demand
them. Would we want to change places with them? They answers. I am asking our fellow taxpayers, and support-
were all gathered from different states and hurriedly ers of our military men and women, to demand answers.
deployed to Washington D.C., it seems at the whim They have the right to know, as we all do.
of the politicians. We all saw the conditions they were
dealing with when they were told to leave the Capitol Enough of my soap box. I hope this gets everyone
grounds. That made the news. Not much else has been thinking.
said after that. Imagine the questions their families have
that aren’t getting answered. Where are they staying? All the best, Geno

All military families can
speak to a trained

professional 24/7 for free

www.veteranscrisisline.net

The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association 5