As an old career Navyman, I salute all those women who have volunteered to serve in the military.
That being said, I am concerned about a report from JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) on the increased risk of chronic pain among servicewomen upon returning to civilian life. Female service members who experienced combat conditions were 53 percent more likely to suffer chronic muscle and joint pain than men after leaving the service. I’m concerned enough to express my opinion; remember, this is only my opinion! Men and women are different – viva la difference! Women should not be subject to combat conditions, and especially, not mixed into combat teams with men. Let the men do the fighting; women should serve as medical staff, com-net controllers, air-traffic controllers, logistics personnel, technicians, administration personnel – important jobs not subject to combat rigors.
A special note for local veterans who enjoy fishing: Montauk State Park is honoring veterans by hosting a free fishing event for veterans on Sept. 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No limit; keep all you catch! Non-veterans may participate with the normal fee and limits. Check Montauk’s website for location and information. Questions? Call Montauk’s main office at 573-548-2201.
Here’s a suggestion to many of the more-than-2,000 veterans in Texas County: Think about joining one of the veterans’ organizations listed below. They all welcome new members, and there are distinct benefits; making new friends who have shared the military experience, the opportunity to guide our youth in the ways of liberty, patriotism, and responsibility. Also, we gray-headed veterans look out for each other, health and welfare calls, transportation, physical assistance.
Texas County veterans organizations:
•Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 473 meets at 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month at their Post Meeting Hall on Highway 63 north of Cabool.
•American Legion Post 559 meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post 6337 meeting hall in Licking. Post 559 has been revitalized by past members and will be looking for new ones.
•Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6337 in Licking meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at its Meeting Hall on Main Street just south of Highway 32.
•Fleet Reserve Association Branch 364 meets at 2:30 p.m. every fourth Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 41 meeting hall in Houston. The FRA exists to serve all veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.
•Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7222 meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at their meeting hall just east of Summersville.
•American Legion Post 41 meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at its meeting hall on the west end of Chilton Oil Company in Houston, (just north of Pizza Hut.) Changes to membership eligibility now allow U.S. veterans of all branches and periods of service to join the American Legion.
Houston resident Robert E. Simpson is a retired U.S. Navy chief electronics technician who served from 1969 to 1990. Email gfjjkaa@gmail.com.