THREAD: It was 2011 and I was temporarily assigned to work at the Decedent Affairs Office at the Veteran’s Hospital in La Jolla. My first day in Decedent Affairs would mark the second time I had seen a deceased body. My job was preparing the body for the Honors Escort. 1/

The Honors Escort is a solemn procession that occurs when a veteran passes. It begins with a bedside flag ceremony, then the gurney is draped with the American flag and a procession escorts the Veteran to the morgue in the basement. 2/

Everyone in the hospital is alerted and invited to participate. As the gurney moves through the hospital, veterans, staff, and visitors line the procession route from bedside to the basement corridor with their hands over their hearts. Some saluting. Some with hats in hand. 3/

I participated in many of these processions, as well as services for veterans with no next of kin in the hospital chapel. Many of these veterans died of service-connected injuries - injuries trump says make a veteran weak or unfit to be in his parades. 4/

I am here to say that NO veteran is less than. None were losers or suckers. They are heroes that have laid the greatest sacrifice on the altar of freedom. That sacrifice demands respect. So does my father. So does my grandfather. And so do I. #WeRespectVets #BidenHarris2020 5/

EPILOGUE: The first time I saw a dead body was that of my 46 year old dad who died from complications due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He would have been 77 this October 4th. My last day with him was November 3rd, 1990. I will be thinking of him when I vote on 11/3.