A country can never thank his national heroes, army and soldiers who sacrifice their family, change their lifestyles and in the end sacrifice their lives for their country. A soldier is the most controlled and faithful person in a nation. A soldier follows the orders of his superiors. He stands heroically before his enemies.
The term ‘soldier’ gives us a selfless feeling. He always strives for the safety and security of others. They make sure that we sleep in peace, when they are wide awake. Whenever the country is in a crisis, we see soldiers on their toes. During a flood we see soldiers giving a helping hand. When there is an epidemic it is the soldiers who will be in the forefront providing people with food and necessities and even the necessary medicines.
Some of the soldiers come back home after a war, injured, paralyzed and disabled. Such veterans deserve all the respect and love we can give to them. These veterans are the true pride of the country.
The soldiers of USA have been through a lot. From seeing 9/11, to dealing with Taliban to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, the recent bombings in our cities Boston and Texas have terrorized the nation and calls for the army to take everything in control.
In 2013, a bill called the Helping Heroes Fly Act was passed as an initiative to honor and facilitate the disabled members of Armed Forces of the USA.
President Obama has signed the H.R.1344 or the Helping Heroes Fly Act. It is an act that aims to improve the security screening process in the airport for disabled or wounded veterans or those who have rendered their services to the public. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was the one who introduced the bill in March, which made it to the House of Representative of the U.S through a unanimous passage. This bill aims to help the servicemen to return to their home and have their life back as soon as possible and without undergoing any difficulties as well. Also, as these veterans are already old enough, there is no need for them to wait any longer just so they would be reunited with their family again.
It directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a process to ease traveling process for severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans, and their accompanying family members or nonmedical attendants. It also asks to provide expedited passenger screening services to these honored veterans prior to boarding a passenger aircraft. An operations center is to be provided for the movement of such injured members and veterans. A screening shall also be carried out in this center.
According to this well laid proposal by Hawaii representative Tulsi Gabbard, this act also requires the Assistant Secretary to create and publish specific protocols for severely injured or disabled veterans and Armed Forces member. The Assistant Secretary shall integrate training on the protocols and the training is to be provided to all employees who will regularly provide the passenger screening services. If the process misses out any deserving veteran, their family members are requested to contact the operations center and request screening services for them. The assistant secretary is obliged to report the Congress every year about the implementation and progress of this program.
If we trace back the origin of the Act, we can’t afford to miss the main propounder of this historic bill. Yes we are talking about Tulsi Gabbard, the most talented, dynamic and energetic U.S. House of Representatives for Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District. She is very strong on values and at the same time she has a soft heart for those heroes at the war field. She has been very instrumental in carving a lot of policies for the war veterans. Just seeing the huge success of her first bill, she has proved herself again. If you see the voting statistics, it was 413-0, it’s unbelievable, and this proves the magnanimity of Tulsi Gabbard. Her main motive was to grant a dignified flying experience for the veteran warriors of the nation. Her life is completely dedicated for helping others.
What paved way for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to introduce the H.R.1344?
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is a veteran that has been deployed twice. Apart from that, she was a member of the Army International Guard of Hawaii. She had come to a decision to introduce this bill after hearing saddening stories of the veterans and the members of the Armed Forces noticing inconsistencies and the lack of privacy in the screening process of those who have been wounded or injured while serving the country. A soft hearted Tulsi could not tolerate these woes, some have even shared their stories on how they were asked to remove prosthetics as well as clothing including their belt, jacket, and shoe and having to undergo the screening machines without even a prosthetic limb or leg. Some have even shared how difficult their experience was and how inconvenient it has been for them. She was deeply concerned for them, which resulted to this bill being passed. For her, this bill serves as a way for acknowledging and respecting all the contributions and sacrifices of the veterans. After all, they have spent their life serving and fighting for the country. Coupled with voice of conviction and respectful spirit, Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement, “For this reason, they rightfully deserve to have a dignified screening process”.
What does this Helping Heroes Fly Act cover?
The bill states that the airport screening of the disabled or severely injured veterans would be speed up. It also states that the Wounded Warrior Screening Program would be made permanent and that the veterans would be shown the appreciation that they deserve. Annual reports are also required by the Congress to be submitted by the Assistant Secretary. It’s not only that for the Transportation Security Agency is also required to train all the screeners in the airport about the protocols included in the program in order to avoid discrepancies on how they treat the wounded warriors. The officials of the said agency is also asked to consult organizations whose advocacy is to help veterans in order to ensure that there would not be a problem in implementing this program. With these things being covered by this respectful bill by Tulsi gabbard , it has received the support of various organizations. As a matter of fact, it has even been endorsed by the Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Federation of Government Employees and the Wounded Warrior Project.
What are the advantages of the H.R.1344?
Just like the name of the bill states, it offers advantages to the veterans including making it easier for them to undergo through the security screening in the airport. According to Tulsi, Under this one, the Homeland Security Assistant Secretary is required to develop as well as implement a process that would provide the veterans an ease of travel. This has served as the solution to the problem of veterans who feels uncomfortable and embarrassed traveling by air. Also, such processes involved in it are time consuming as well and so, this bill would surely help them a lot. Also, it would serve as the country’s way of providing courtesy and respect for all the things they have done for the country.
Tulsi Gabbard, a former soldier always advocates the well being of the army men. It has been said that the country has the duty to honor all those who have rendered services for the benefit of the country, especially those who have suffered from injuries and disabilities. Through this bill, the veterans and their families as well can ensure that they would be treated with dignity and respect as they travel. This is because it aims to remove the burden of them undergoing unnecessary screening procedures. This only means that they could now undergo through the screening process comfortably as they return to their own homes. The disabled and injured veterans can also ensure that they would be given support as they go through passenger screening before they board a passenger aircraft as the Assistant Secretary is required to maintain an operations centers to facilitate their movement.
Tulsi always raised voice for the deservings. She mentioned, if you have already experienced traveling overseas, perhaps, you already know how time-consuming passenger screening is. However, we cannot deny the fact that such process is important, especially as the security of the nation might be put at risk, This is for the reason that it is the process that ensures that all passengers who would be boarding the plane does not carry any dangerous weapon. Thus, the carry-on baggage needs to be placed in the x-ray equipment and the body of the passenger is also inspected. However, since we are talking about the people who have risked their lives to the point where they have become disabled and injured for the sake of the country, there is no reason for them to undergo such troubles. When this bill was passed in the House presented by Tulsi, many were filled with joy, knowing that the President of the United States has finally signed this bill, making it effective for the sake of the veterans.
With the Helping Heroes Fly Act being passed and observed for the last 3 years, people are now again looking forward to the house bills aiming to help veterans to be passed in the future. Many people believe that it is just right for the country to implement measures that helps the servicemen. This only goes to show that the time they have spent in rendering services for the country has never been put into waste, considering the fact that they are greatly appreciated by the community. Such things will help us and our younger generation value and remember the contribution of the heroes to our country. The country will memorialize those sacrificial heroes and at the same time acknowledge who have served and who are wounded. This step and success is truly attributed to Tulsi Gabbard.
People need to rise in strong support of H.R. 1344, the Helping Heroes Fly Act of 2013. They need to support this legislation because it facilitates and eases the lives of veterans. Obit is a thoughtful and kind gesture that proves that humanity and love still exists in the world. These strong soldiers, these veterans because of whom we sleep peacefully at night because they are up all night guarding our borders, guarding our children, fighting for the country. When these veterans come home disabled, injured, with prostheses and other wounds, it is heart breaking; heart shattering to see their lives will never be the same again. They require love, respect and acknowledgement; exactly what this Act is trying to provide.
More than 2.2 million veterans, that means one in every 10, have been disabled or terribly injured in the service of the Nation. They have lost their body parts just for their nation. Believe it or not, many things gets changed for such people. They have seen their pals dying and still they do not lose the spirit and keep on fighting. Research says that veteran finds it twice as hard to adapt to civilian life as when they joined army life. This is probably the least we can offer in comparison to what they have done for the country. To make their lives a little less burdensome and difficult is the least thing we can offer to people who deserve all the good facilities available in the world.
Tulsi said, Let’s give them respect for what they have done to secure the homeland and to make us safer. Respecting someone doesn’t mean you are constantly thanking them for their service. It means that you treat them like a valuable member of society. Let’s not leave these national heroes alone. Let us help them in their hour of pain and take responsibility of their woes. Let us facilitate them to the best of our abilities. Do your part and stand in favor of this act today.
According to the prime advocate Tulsi Gabbard, one of the factors of this particular legislative initiative that is good is that, wherever you land, sometimes it may not be your home airport–every airport is different—and they work themselves up to make sure that they make it exciting and confusing. The Helping Heroes Fly Act improves airport security screening processes for wounded and severely disabled service members and veterans. More importantly, they help that our nation’s heroes are shown the respect and appreciation of a grateful nation.
According to role model Tulsi Gabbard, this initiative is a very kind and a remarkable way of paying homage to the veterans and their families. True humanity and patriotism lies if we never forget our national heroes or take them for granted. Being the best nation in the world, USA is a role model for other nations. Let’s become role model in real terms by respecting and valuing those who have served their country with all their heart and soul. Let’s tell the world how united we are and how proud we are of our army. Let’s not be among those who are selfish enough to forget the services provided to them. Such acts should be supported and practiced with full vigor, enthusiasm and support. Moreover, more Acts like these should be created, supported and maintained to show our obligation and gratefulness.