Veterans Speech , photo by Pooja Pasupula.
On March 1 UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services hosted Military Culture: Have You Ever Served? A day-long conference discussing the needs of military veterans.
Mario Pantano, the head of the North Carolina Veteran Affairs, was the first speaker of the day. He discussed the working group of service members, veterans and their families.
Pantano was an infantry Sargent in Iraq during Desert Storm and spoke with fervent passion about helping veterans transition to civilian life after military service.
“The face of war is changing,” said Pantano. There are more people doing less to help our veterans when they return to civilian life. This in turn creates a huge burden for veterans coming back home.
Pantano urges listeners to create a “sea of goodwill”, where people act out of love rather than moral obligation when helping returning soldiers.
North Carolina is home to 800,000 veterans and the third largest military force in the United States. Pantano claims that many vets come home to North Carolina only to quickly leave because there is not enough help for those who need it.
He explains that veterans are a key part of society. They offer discipline, morale and diversity in the work force and to the public.
The NC Department of Veteran Affairs is now working with the Department of Commerce and Department of Health to aid and support veterans as they make the transition back home.
“We have created jobs, working to end veteran homelessness and challenging the stereotype ‘veterans as victims’,” said Pantano. “If we focus on ‘veterans as victors’ then the wounds of society begin to heal, people become more comfortable around vets. If you come from love the problem resolves and the fear is unpacked.”
Since working with the Department of Commerce and Department of Health, veterans have a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans and homelessness appears to be declining.
Likewise, measures are being taken to break down the barrier between vets and non-vets through the Governor’s Working Group. The group meets once a month to discuss veteran affairs. These meetings include both military personnel and civilians.
The floor was opened for questions. Listeners asked about various programs for veterans and what else can be done to help.
The topic of new challenges facing the VA was addressed. Pantano explained that the budget has increased three times the usual amount due to healthcare and labor unions. The need for volunteers has increased as well.
Pantano reiterated that more people are doing less to help and it is affecting the military on many levels.
His closing words encouraged listeners to get to know veterans and act from a place of love to build the notion of “veterans as victors.”