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EXECUTIVE COUNSELOR'S MESSAGE
Greetings Shipmates,
Again, it is time to say a few If you have watched the news and saw what is happening
words. As I contemplate in Afghanistan, think about the promises our politicians
what to say, and how to say and military leaders made to those people. Listen to their
it, I think about covering the responses: “I didn’t make that promise, it was others.”
same subjects that have been Sound familiar? A great and generous nation is turning it’s
addressed before and have to back and running. That is not our people’s choice, but the
think about the readers reac- current political and military leaders that make it appear
tions to my words. Such as that way. Every time one of our members asks for their
“here we go again” and “he’s earned benefit and gets refused, it is the same effect. Every
Geno Koelker not saying anything I haven’t time our organization asks for what was earned, we hear
Executive Counselor
heard before” and “the same from the political elite: what is that going to cost? Do
old s___, said with different twists.” Even though this is they ask that when they let the thousands cross our bor-
true, it has to be said again and again. This message isn’t der, illegally, and give them food, housing, transportation
always for our readers and members but for others reading and medical treatment, not earned?
Our mission is to fight and protect those “earned” benefits
and promises made to us, the reserve community.
Let that sink in for a minute.
it for the first time or a reminder for the ones that have The point I am trying to make in all this is why we need
pushed the info aside or to the back of their thoughts. you to concern yourself with our mission to help each
other, shipmates. By going to the NOCS and knocking
The military is slowly opening up their bases and allowing on the door, it lets the leadership know that we are not
our members limited access. That means it is up to us to forgetting their promises. It shows our non-members why
see if we can get back to the NOCS and find out what is they should become members. Without us standing up,
happening. NERA and its chapters need the exposure to we become an after thought and get pushed to the back
the Reservists to invite them to become a member. The of their minds and agendas. Is that what we want our ser-
old question “why, and what’s in it for me” is the stan- vice and members to become, I don’t think so. Thanks for
dard. Every time we use one of our benefits, we should reading.
be reminded of that. Our mission is to fight and protect
those “earned” benefits and promises made to us, the Always,
reserve community. Let that sink in for a minute. Geno
All military families can
speak to a trained
professional 24/7 for free
www.veteranscrisisline.net
6 The Mariner • 2020 SUMER Edition • Volume 64 • Issue 2