Andrews – “War is ugly,” Danna Pash said.
As an E5 staff sergeant for the U.S. Air Force, she knows a thing or two about the brutality of battle. She served six active duty missions in Afghanistan before settling in Murphy to serve in the Cherokee County Veterans Services office, which is hosting the third annual Welcome Home Veterans’ Event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Western Carolina Regional Airport.
Pash believes it’s crucial to honor veterans by celebrating their return from active duty. The theme of the event rests on the idea that since World War II, returning soldiers are not treated to parades or even public gratitude in a manner befitting their service.
“This event honors those veterans who didn’t get the fanfare when they came home from active duty,” she said.
Unto that end, Veterans Services has organized a parade down Main Street as a precursor to the party at the airport.
“The parade starts at 9 a.m., and once it’s finished people can make their way to the airport,” Pash said.
The parade will feature a motorcycle procession, a marching band and decorated veterans, who will wave to the crowd from classic automobiles. The fun increases for those attending this free event. Once the airport portion of the party commences, attendees will be treated to free food and drinks, a swag bag and even a flyover airplane meant to honor the veterans.
To help raise funds for this event, Pash’s office has organized a clothing drive.
“We are specifically looking for winter items including coats, gloves and hats,” she said.
The public can drop their donations off in her office nestled just behind the security officer at the courthouse. Pash said “this event is meaningful,” as it provides a way for the public to offer their support and respect to the local veterans who served with integrity, then slipped back into civilian life with humility.
Pash has big ideas for the office about how to launch service programs and awareness through this party.
“We need more funding at the state level,” she said. “A substantial number of our veterans live at or below the poverty line.”
Pash added that there are nine veterans’ organizations in the county, but they are all suffering from lack of funding. For example, one of the services her office provides is building ramps for veterans who cannot access their homes by using steps.
“When you consider ramp building,” she said, “that’s lumber, and the price of lumber has skyrocketed in the past two years.”
Health care is another key issue for veterans.
“Many of our aging veterans from Vietnam require in-home health care,” Pash said.
She added that numerous veterans are suffering from Agent Orange effects in addition to diseases and conditions that accompany the aging process. Pash believes that if enough people – veterans and civilians alike – become aware of these types of issues, significant change can occur for veterans.
While the Welcome Home event may not produce the dedicated U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs nursing unit in the area, among other programs Pash hopes for, it will offer a fun day for families. At the same time, it will honor those who served and raise awareness of ways to become involved that may offer pragmatic and meaningful change in the lives of local veterans.