Combat Veterans Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic

Something that isn’t making national headlines during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis are the millions of U.S. Combat Veterans who are most at risk of contracting the virus. Serving in combat situations is fraught with many dangers, some of which can be long lasting, impacting veterans for their entire lives. These same dangers now make veterans particularly vulnerable to Coronavirus.

As such, U.S. Combat Veterans must rely on the help of frontline workers and healthcare professionals more than most. Not only are they beholden to doctors and nurses, but also to everyday workers such as delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, cashiers, trash collectors, and public servants.

A few of us had the opportunity to ask combat veterans how they feel about these frontline workers, and it turns out, they are extremely grateful to them.

In a series of interviews, we asked a few of our USS Midway Museum Volunteers to thank the people who are helping to keep them safe in the video below. For those asking the questions, it was a special experience. “I mean, these veterans are true heroes who risked their lives for our country. Whether in Vietnam, South America or even in the South Pacific during World War II. To hear them call grocery store cashiers and delivery drivers heroes was a huge eye opener for me,” says Sean O’Meara, a member of Vitro, the San Diego based ad agency who helped produce this particular video.

Amy Krause, who handled most of the interviews with each veteran was impacted emotionally by the experience. “I was brought to tears several times, as I realized the danger these veterans are in, and how there is a group of people willing to step up and make sure they remain safe. It was just simply amazing and I’m so grateful to have been a part of this video. It’s an important message that needs to get out there.”

What this video clearly reveals is that our country has a new list of heroes to thank. The people working the jobs once considered ‘menial,’ who may have been taken for granted, are today not only essential, but critical to those we cherish the most— our nations veterans.

To everyone who continues to sacrifice their health for the sake of others… we thank you for your service.