Veterans honored Monday despite rainy conditions

Despite unfavorable weather conditions and steady heavy rain throughout most of Monday, a group of veterans and their family members gathered underneath the Rabun County Courthouse to witness a ceremony held in their honor.

The crowd in attendance heard from Bill Miles Retired Army Commander of the VFW Post 7720 who also serves as the Senior Vice Commander for the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15.

Miles not only recognized and honored the veterans but also brought up some key points as far as issues he’s experienced as a retired veteran over the years.

“In my time of service in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, I came home to a broken system,” he said. “You would think after 28 years of service I would get great medical care. But in January 2015 when I retired I started having to pay co-pays for my medical care. I have no dental and no vision, that’s not what I was told when I was signing up a senior in high school.”

Miles said despite veterans service, the government continues to take their benefits away. As a way to combat that, he urged veterans to get involved to fight for their rights.

Another key point brought up by Miles is that people need to be aware of veterans and the stresses they go through every day such as PTSD in the hopes that awareness will prevent suicide amongst veterans.

For any veterans or individuals looking to become more involved and learn more about what they can do to earn veterans their rights, Miles said to contact him at the Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 in Cornelia.