Dem
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GOP
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The day after Veterans' Day, we put a note at the top of the page that said that while we agree with thanking veterans, there are other people in our society who deserve thanks, too, and asked if readers agree. The response to that was overwhelming, so we split the responses into three parts, which have taken a while to complete, because of interruptions to our production schedule. Here is Part I, if you'd like to look back, and here is Part II. Today, we conclude with a few messages about the military, reporters, and people in the sciences, as well as a few we couldn't quite categorize:
B.Z. in Baltimore, MD writes: I had two grandfathers, an unremarkable number for certain. A more remarkable thing about them is that one served in an artillery role in World War II, and one of them was a Conscientious Objector, refused to be drafted and served alternative service as an orderly in a mental hospital instead. I think my CO grandfather is also worthy of recognition, both for his service and for his commitment to his beliefs.
M.S. in Canton, NY, writes: On Veterans Day, and again the next day, you mentioned the importance of recognizing the support provided by spouses of those who serve in the military. My parents are buried together at Arlington National Cemetery. My mother passed away first, in 1996. Burials at Arlington are carefully scripted, but despite that—or maybe because of it—they are also very moving. One of the officiants read a description of her life, and it included a line that I momentarily thought was simply a mistake, until I heard the second half: "She served her country in World War II... as a loyal Navy wife." I had never thought of it that way, but instantly realized that it was so true.
G.R. in Tarzana, CA, writes: Real reporters and journalists who work hard to get the truth out regarding things that the powers that be, from all sides of the spectrum, would rather not get out. And of course, people like yourselves, who use their own time and money to help enlighten us about what is really going on, so that we can not only be more informed about our world, but so that we can occasionally take a deep breath and move a step back from the precipice, if only for a few moments.
A.I. in Honolulu, HI, writes: In this age of abundant misinformation, rampant propaganda and blatant lying, I would like to thank all the journalists and other members of the free press (including some bloggers) who seek the truth and strive to keep the public informed. Especially when they face open hostility and even mortal threats from politicians and pundits, they deserve our gratitude for trying to keep the light shining.
R.R. in Pasadena, CA, writes: I was raised to thank people, so I do it all the time just as a second nature, even for small things like holding a door. It smooths the world over to give people a bit of gratitude for doing something, and hopefully encourages them to do other nice things. So, thanks to everyone who says thanks.
This also made me think of my mom, not just because she was a nurse (which has already been mentioned). She grew up in a Mormon family and was working at the big hospital in my conservative home town when the AIDS crisis lit off in the early 1980s. At the time, it was affecting pretty much only gay men, who weren't exactly favored by people in red America (or really in blue, either, back then). A lot of the doctors and nurses were hesitant to give them care, both because of the danger but also because, at some level, they thought that gay men "deserved" their fate for their "evil ways." My mom was an IV specialist, so all she did was run around giving IVs to everyone in the hospital... including the gay men. One mistake and she might have contracted AIDS and died (and at the time they weren't sure it couldn't be spread at home either). As one of the people most at risk she had legitimacy in talking about it, and she apparently shamed the hospital staff who weren't treating the patients properly into doing so. I have never gotten the details of exactly how that was done, but it was always clear that my mom got a lot of respect that an average nurse wouldn't receive, so she must have had a large impact on what was going on and reminding doctors and nurses of their oaths to treat everyone in need.
I can't thank my mom anymore, so thanks to the people out there who stand up to an injustice, no matter how small, and refuse to go along with treating people as less than human, especially when they are in desperate need of help.
L.C. in Southfield, MI, writes: Laboratory technologists and technicians. Doctors and nurses were thanked profusely during the pandemic—understandable, as they are the faces of health care—but we in the lab kept test results churning out 24/7. We are mostly invisible, and earn a pittance of what doctors and nurses make, but an estimated 80% of medical diagnoses are based on the results we provide.
S.S. in Lynchburg, VA, writes: Please recognize engineers and scientists. They make sacrifices for our country, grinding through grueling training that not many Americans are willing to endure. In fact, Chinese citizens choose to make this sacrifice for their country at a rate nearly double that of Americans. This gap is creating one of the greatest threats to the American military. Our military can't match our adversaries soldier for soldier. It is highly dependent on science and technology to provide a force multiplier.
Engineers and scientists also create the power systems, infrastructure and production capability that make our economy run. They make us safer and improve our quality of life. For all this, you would think our country would be eager to express its gratitude, but instead our popular media generally disparages scientists and engineers. The negative portrayal weakens our country by discouraging citizens from entering these fields. Even worse, it creates a public mistrust of scientific information, leading our government to follow disastrously bad policies.
Scientists and engineers make a huge contribution to keeping our country free. Showing appreciation for their service is not only the decent thing to do. It also makes America stronger, safer and a better place to live.
R.P. in Somerville, MA, writes: I don't know if it was necessary to throw shade at doctors for getting more glory and salary than other medical workers. Doctors also face more lawsuits, since the buck for medical decision-making ultimately stops with them. They get there by doing way more training, including ongoing education, often take on more work like teaching without extra pay, and on top of that, are often very much are in the thick of it with nurses, PAs, and other medical workers. Also, doctor salaries in some specialties are stagnant compared with other medical practitioners.
I think your intent was to highlight workers like paramedics, EMTs, nurses, PAs, etc, which is valid. And many doctors are pompous asses, for sure. But it came across like a class commentary. You guys can do better.
J.K. in New York City, NY, writes: My wife is an emergency medicine doctor at a VA hospital. VA emergency departments are often rough places, with a lot of vets who have had hard lives. She sees a lot of substance abuse, people who neglect their health, and people with mental illness and trauma. She specializes in women veterans. Sexual military trauma is very common. VA systems are often not set up for women's health, and as you can imagine, the politics of care for women vets is brutal.
During COVID there was a VA leadership crisis, where many managers and department heads disappeared. There was a serious shortage of supplies and very scary chaos, where care for some had to be sacrificed in ways that were not clearly planned or understood. My wife had to wrap herself in a garbage bag to use as a "gown" and had to oven-heat her one N95 mask to re-sterilize it. At the worst point, the ED was crowded with people dying in the halls. Vets weren't allowed visitors and she had to tell isolated people who were dying that they were seen and being cared for, even if it felt like they were being left alone. COVID is still an open wound for emergency doctors. The VA, like all thoughtful medicine, tries to emphasize primary care, but the emergency department is often the only help that many vets seek, so it is clogged-up with non-emergencies, including chronic conditions that go untreated. It's very difficult work. Patients are often belligerent and even violent. Doctors are often defensive, angry, and scared of patients.
My wife takes time to thank her patients for their service—when she first started working at the VA some 20 years ago, she thought the phrase was cliched and hackneyed. But over the years she's come to see and deeply believe that thanks is definitely deserved and that the vets sacrificed so much that is not recoverable. Many generally feel unseen. When they see her genuineness they often feel moved and appreciative. There are many, many doctors, nurses, and other staff who pour their souls into trying to do the best they can in what is often an overwhelming and even depressing system. While it is true and important that the VA needs to be improved in many ways, I think the repercussions of war and even the possibilities of war makes a horrible situation inevitable for many.
D.E. in Fremont, CA, writes: Blood donors! Repeat: Altruistic blood donation is the backbone of a safe, reliable and equitable blood system. Donors whose only incentive is to help others (as opposed to paid donors or even donors motivated by social pressure, such as at workplace blood drives) are likelier to answer screening questions honestly, contributing to a safer blood supply. Those who qualify through screening and then donate blood regularly are literally saving lives.
A.S. in Lenora Hills, CA, writes: On the topic of thanking people: how about a round of applause for immigrants. Those who work our farms, build our houses, clean our houses and offices, drive our taxis, care for our children, mow our lawns, sell us gas and beer and pork rinds, deliver our packages, bus our tables, cook our restaurant orders, wash our clothes, fix our cars, treat our illnesses, design our houses, teach our children, rent our houses, design our landscapes, invent new medicines, develop apps for our phones, teach our college students, police our streets, employ people in their businesses, invest in our country, go to war for our country and/or serve in government. They have made this country what it is.
P.S. I'm a descendant of immigrants—fourth generation. Aren't we (almost) all.
S.B. in Hood River, OR, writes: I would like to add animal shelter technicians to the list of unsung heroes. These people have a job that is often unpleasant, sometimes heart-rending, and for little pay. They do it for the love of the animals. They work very hard to make life in the shelter, which is stressful for the animals, as comfortable as possible. Having worked with animal rescue organizations for many years, I have firsthand knowledge of these amazing people.
J.C. in Bloomington, IL, writes: I wanted to thank you for the segment you did on the thanks we all owe to workers of many stripes—not just veterans.
As the son of a union carpenter/cabinetmaker, I've always tried to remember to thank my father for his dedication to his craft every Labor Day. While he's not out there saving lives, people who work in the trades are what I consider America's backbone. They make tangible products with their hands and the really good ones make items which will last many lifetimes.
So here's a thanks to all the tradesmen out there! Especially you, dad!
R.T. in Arlington, TX, writes: I would like to extend your notion of people deserving thanks. I have an adult child with special needs who works as a night cleaner at a local university. He struggles with moderate depression, and I have used similar sentiments to encourage him. He is a hero to me simply because he gets up and goes to work every day, earning the living he receives. What he does is work that few others would accept and he should be proud of it for that reason alone. I wish we could find a way as a society to thank people for being decent, for working to take care of themselves and their families, and not being trouble to the community. Kant said to be happy we need someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. Work itself deserves more respect than it gets.
We also got a couple of "pushback" messages in response to our original posting; we thought we'd close with those:
J.R. in Grand Rapids, MI, writes: I really love you guys (please let me know the best way to donate, since I'm way overdue to do so). However, I'm a lawyer who is 6'4" who wears custom suits (I'm a hard guy to fit) and (sometimes) wears Allen Edmonds shoes (they're really good and comfortable shoes that last a long time). I'm also the recipient of awards from my local Legal Aid office and from the State Bar of Michigan (in 2023) for my outstanding pro bono work which I have earned while working as a sole practitioner without a firm behind me, albeit with some great employees. You can make a good living, wear good clothes, and still serve the people who really need help—I've been doing it for 43 years now.
Sorry to quibble, but that one got to me. I realize this is not truly a correction, but I didn't know where else to send it. Keep up the great work.
And I work downtown in a historic office building. If any of you are ever unlucky enough to be in Grand Rapids, please stop by for a visit.
J.A. in Manchester, NH, writes: As a veteran, I'm very grateful for what you wrote thanking us. And it was also very thoughtful of you to follow up and show gratitude to those others who go about their daily lives making life a little easier for their fellow citizens.
My one and only issue... when you noted you think about the teachers, you excluded yourselves.
I have shared my background before but I'll summarize again: I grew up in less than ideal circumstances in an environment where my intellect was suppressed (I'll spare you the less pleasant details). Fast forward to me at 34. I was in a bad marriage that was ending (thankfully without kids, who would have gotten hurt) and I started taking classes part time at night at Bridgewater State College (MA). Turned out I was good at it. So I transferred to another postal facility so I could work overnight and graduate from the honors program with a double (Poli-Sci and History).
But the difference was the professors. They saw something in me that they challenged and, for lack of a better way of putting it, pushed me to develop. They encouraged critical analysis and lateral thinking. Best of all, they were able to do that without imposing their views, but rather, enabling me to refine my own.
Because of them, I was able to go on to law school obtain a J.D. and since then, I've been fortunate enough to work in the background making life a little easier for low wage earners and now for employees at the VA who render care to our veterans.
But as my career winds down (I turn 62 next month), I never forget that without people like you challenging students and helping them develop their analytical skills, I would have likely been on a different path.
So, without further delay, allow me to thank you for what you do. It's very necessary, especially in the age of social media and hyper-disinformation.
Our thanks to J.A. in Manchester (and others) for the kind words! As to J.R. in Grand Rapids, we only chose Allen Edmonds because we couldn't remember the brand name we actually wanted to use, which was Berluti Alessandro. Sorry about that, and as to donations, there are a couple of buttons on the upper right hand corner of the page, depending on what suits your needs best.
Allow us to extend our appreciation to everyone who sent in messages, and we'll be back to the normal format for this feature next week. Have a good weekend, all! (Z)