Klein: “pride with purpose, honor in service”
KINGSTON – Disabled veteran Marty Klein, author of a new documentary movie called “Why Can’t We Serve,” was the keynote speaker at the Kingston Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday.
Klein, a blind Air Force veteran, produced the documentary to encourage the U.S. military to allow disabled veterans to serve in non-combat positions.
“I embody some qualities for veterans – pride with purpose, honor in service,” Klein said. “That’s how I see most veterans. They still want to serve. This movie that I made is trying to get veterans who were wounded in combat a chance to transition to non-combat jobs so they can have a career.”
Both Klein and his father suffered in battle and coped with PTSD their entire lives. Klein mentioned a close friend of 40 years who recently took his own life after a long battle with demons acquired long ago.
“It broke my heart, but I understand he chose to get out of the pain he was in.”
Thanking vets for their service is a good start, but more can be done. “I would encourage everybody to make friends with veterans,” Klein added.
Kingston Veteran Association President Bill Forte was touched by Klein’s
words.
“We all do what we do for you – for the community, the nation,” Forte said. “There’s nothing special about us beyond that we put on a uniform and served our county.”
The ceremony was followed by a 21-gun salute and taps outside City Hall.
Kingston Mayor Steven Noble also delivered remarks, and Congressman-elect Antonio Delgado participated in the observances.
