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Veteran Respect

By Cesar Ruvalcaba

Cesar Ruvalcaba, Veterans Day 2005, Chicago

I was one of many veterans that were present with families at Saturday's march [to mark three years in Iraq, with no end in sight —Ed.] on Michigan Avenue. On our way to the staging area on Walton and State, Barry Romo and I encountered a woman in a cab who saw us and screamed out, "Assholes!"

In response to her insult, I replied, "We are not assholes; we are veterans." This is the general situation for people like Barry and myself. Even though we defended our country, we are not treated as people of respect. We are called assholes.

This happened at the start of the march, and I wondered if it was a sign of the sentiment regarding the march and the veterans who had experienced the violence of war firsthand and were now advocating peace. This sentiment was confirmed as we crossed Wacker Drive, heading toward Wabash.

One of the veterans, a longtime member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, turned to me and said, "Hey, Cesar, look: there is the veteran memorial site." He pointed down toward the river, where the memorial now stood.

Out of over 7,000 marchers that night, I wondered how many people knew that the memorial (honoring veterans from World War II to the present Iraq war) was actually down by the river, out of public sight. It saddens me that the site chosen for the memorial was away from public view.

What message does this send from our leadership to the veterans that fought these wars, and to the families that were left with a loss of a father, brother, sister, son, or daughter? What message is the city sending when they have men dressed in black with heavy armor and SWAT inscribed on their chests at the start of the march and at the end of the march? All this armor for a group of veterans and civilians that are advocating peace?

Veterans do not need to be recognized as "assholes" or as people who merit a SWAT team when they publicly express their views. We need to be recognized and respected for what we are: ordinary people who were put in extraordinary circumstances and did the best they could to make their country proud. If we advocate peace, we are not stirring up trouble; we are simply expressing our feelings from firsthand experience of being on the front line.

It needs to start with leadership. The mayor needs to be one of the first to recognize this, instead of moving our memorial to below street level. Do not call us assholes; let us express ourselves regarding our experiences and regarding peace. Show us the acknowledgment and respect that we have earned through our service and courage.