From the war for independence to the battles to ensure global freedom and security, soldiers pay sovereignty鈥檚 price, and many veterans spend their lives raising awareness and advocating for past, current and future members of the military.
Retired Col. Robert Reisz and retired Lt. Col. Darrin Spears, both veterans advocates, are perpetual soldiers. Their missions have moved from the battlefield to the community setting and the classroom. Their areas of reach cover the Baker-Zachary Memorial VFW Post, the Regional Veterans Park Steering Committee and the Zachary High Junior ROTC.
Spears said the nation benefits before and after a soldier鈥檚 service.
鈥淭he generations of patriots who dedicated themselves to the defense of the United States of America, at times of great peril, our veterans have kept the faith,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey have kept us free and enabled Americans to keep faith with the rest of the world. That's why I'm so pleased to honor their faithful service and to renew, reaffirm and to rededicate our commitment to keeping the faith with them.鈥�
Local veterans groups often work together because of shared leadership. Reisz is the VFW post commander and vice chair of the Regional Veterans Memorial Park committee. Spears is the chair of the Veterans Park group, vice commander of the VFW and faculty instructor of the Zachary High Bronco Battalion.
When the country paused to honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, the three groups gathered to lay wreaths outside of a public display in support of fully uniformed Jr. ROTC commanders who made the presentation.
Reisz was not much older than those young cadets in 1980 when, as a private, he was assigned to Fort Bragg Special Operations Command. He completed multiple assignments in the Army, served in Operation Desert Storm as a Marine and returned to the Army for three deployments in Iraq.
鈥淲hen I retired, one month shy of 42 years, I wanted to get more involved in our veterans, because that's what you serve,鈥澛燫eisz said. 鈥淵ou want to help take care of our veterans, and that's what I've been doing ever since."
The VFW advocates for veterans but also promotes patriotism through programs like the Voice of Democracy scholarship competition.
鈥淚t helps educate and inspire the younger generation to be a part of what we're all doing,鈥� Reisz said. 鈥淚t's vital that our veterans join veteran organizations and work or just be part of the membership and stay updated on information about what's going on in the veterans.鈥�