- arnellnewman
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Brothers and Sisters
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country on September 11th. With another chapter of war, in our country’s long history, coming to a close. We see the American men and women fighting in Afghanistan, taking substantial attacks at the airport. We lost 13 brave men and women protecting civilians entering the airport to leave the country. And we cannot forget the 18 injured and many others that may not be the same, body and soul, after that fateful day. They did not die in vain, they sacrificed their lives to rescue all nationalities, not only American citizens who were evacuating the country but the citizens of many other countries who were trying to evacuate.
At Peoples Gas, the Local worked with the company to lower our colors to half-staff. We lowered our flags to half-staff based on the proclamation of the President, in respect to all the losses our country suffered in Kabul.
In the 20 years since the September 11th attacks on the Pentagon and the Twin Towers in New York city, we have had close to 3 million US service members serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. We also have 1.8 million service members with a recognized disability and over 7,000 deaths in combat. The worst tragedy is the 30,000 plus service members who have died by suicide.
How can you help veterans returning from service? Donate to the Midwest Veterans Closet, help out at Veterans hospitals and hike a ruck sack march for the Chicago Veterans Organization. At Peoples Gas, the Gasworkers Local 18007 has been at the forefront of assisting veterans to transition into civilian life. We patronize the Midwest Veterans Closet. They support veterans and active duty personnel stationed near their facility.
Casualty Status as of August 23 2021 (defense.gov)
American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics (congress.gov)
Over 30,000 US Veterans of Post-9/11 Wars Have Killed Themselves Since 2001 | Common Dreams News
https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/veterans
Fraternally,
Don Iocco
US Army Veteran
Local 18007 Recording Secretary