Did vets behind bars get honored today?

 Memorial Day, 2026. 

An octogenarian reflects. 

I remember the Memorial Day parades in the 1940s, during and after World War Two. Somber events, followed by somber ceremonies. Soldiers marching. Wives and mothers wiping tears. 

I remember Memorial Day in the 1960s, when I owned and operated radio station WGHN in Grand Haven. I gave the announcers time off on that day and personally ran the programming. Patriotic music. Tributes to vets. Updates on the annual Indy 500 race. 

2026. I’ve spent the last three years as a prisoner advocate and now I’m approaching the age of 90. 

Today there were parades in our area. High school bands marched. These processions were concluded with meaningful ceremonies. My neighbors had outdoor barbecues, guys played Cornhole, hosts flipped hamburger patties on the charcoal grill. On the TV screen newscasts showed clips of somber ceremonies in the nation’s capital and across the U.S.A. 

At the conclusion of the day, though, I’m wondering if anyone ever thought to pay tribute to those veterans now living behind bars. They are our heroes, too! AI says more than 180,000 vets are in prison around the country…about 8% of persons behind bars. 

Those of us working in Humanity for Prisoners do our best to avoid the standard titles for people living in our correctional facilities: "prisoners," "felons," "convicts," etc. But, I’m sure that many people on our beaches, sailing in our lakes and rivers, cooking meat on the grill, just consider these men and women to be “prisoners.” 

“If they hadn’t done the crime, they wouldn’t be doing the time.”

“Lock ‘em up and throw away the key.” 

Well, I have friends behind bars who have served our country in the armed services. They did it with honor and integrity. There are many reasons why these men and women eventually wind up behind bars. One of the leading causes is mental health issues. Many struggle with PTSD, depression, and anxiety…and that’s the kind of stuff that leads to bad things, like substance abuse and criminal behavior. 

Some 1,000 men and women who served honorably in our armed forces observed Memorial Day in Michigan’s correctional facilities today. It was just another day. No games. No parades. No family reunions. No boat rides. No hamburgers. Worse than that, no recognition, no tribute, no thanks. 

I’m not sure that many, other than family or friends, even noticed or remembered, let alone thanked.

Before the day is over, let's do that. 

“It’s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It’s about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits that they’ve earned when they come home. It’s about serving all of you as well as you’ve served the United States of America.”  Barack Obama

 

 

 

 

 

 

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