Mayor Slay wants the protesters in Kiener Plaza to move so the space can be used for a Veterans Day event. What a great opportunity for the Mayor and the rest of the 99% to do something this year to really honor our veterans. Everyone knows that veterans are disproportionately represented in the homeless population. Everyone may not know that state budget cuts threaten the very existence of the few veterans homes we have in Missouri.
Veterans need the same things we all need including affordable housing, job training (or, better yet, a good paying job) and help finding the best health care for their individual needs. When we see someone in a military uniform, we say "Thank you for your service" and keep walking.
St. Louis could seize the moment and use this opportunity to move its reputation up a few notches on the "best place to live" index by working together with the protesters who really do represent the 99% instead of treating them like trash that needs to be cleaned up.
What better way to honor our veterans than by meeting their needs and helping them conquer the demons that cause 16 of them a day nationally to commit suicide. We sent them into "harm's way" and shouldn't harm them anymore than they have already suffered. Kicking them from place to place downtown because they look scruffy and smell bad is no way to honor them on Veterans Day or any other day.
I'm sure Mayor Slay can find many among those at Kiener Plaza who represent 99% of us willing and eager to help plan a truly significant 11-11-11 weekend at Kiener Plaza and at many other locations around the city. Let's do something for our heroes that won't disappear after the parade music fades.
Susan Cunningham
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