Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield Business
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
World War II Memorial along with Korean War and Vietnam War memorials along the Hawaiian coastline. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Treat the Police same way we treat veterans

Posted on July 4, 2017November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Treat the Police same way we treat veterans
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Treat the Police same way we treat veterans

Veterans are saluted and cheered at every event and holiday in America, and yet most people don’t think twice about the Police Officer who also puts his (and her) life on the line everyday in some of the toughest and most violent places on earth, right here in America. Shouldn’t they get equal billing along with military veterans, not all of whom were on the front lines of violence? I’m a veteran. I can ask this question!

By Ray Hanania

Ray HananiaWhy do we treat military veterans and police differently?

Police put their lives on the line, like veterans, to defend this country in the face of violence.

Sometimes, the danger police face is greater than the danger that soldiers face.

In today’s world of Uber-Patriotism, we seem cheer for the wrong reasons those who defend us. We honor all veterans the same, no matter whether they did or didn’t directly face violence.

We honor all veterans as heroes at every holiday and every commemoration.

As a veteran, I think that’s great. I proudly defended this country during a very unpopular war in Vietnam. Although I did not go overseas – I wanted to and trained for it — the military decided who did or didn’t.

Not everyone enlisted in the military during the Vietnam War. Many did everything they could to avoid service, some justified but many not.

World War II Memorial along with Korean War and Vietnam War memorials along the Hawaiian coastline. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
World War II Memorial along with Korean War and Vietnam War memorials along the Hawaiian coastline. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

 

I say that because I know super patriotic Americans – many of whom probably didn’t serve – might be upset with my suggestion that police and veterans should be treated and honored equally, regardless of whether they faced actual violent circumstances.

Is it possible the enthusiasm of many who never served in the military to honor veterans may have to do with guilt? That would be the wrong reason.

I think police face danger every day, on the streets of violence engulfed big cities like Chicago, in safer suburban communities like Orland Park where I live, and even in counties out in the countryside where population density is so low and crime is not as rampant.

So, why do we treat police differently from military veterans? They both do the same things. When they need to put their lives on the line in a violent circumstance to protect the innocent, they are there. They both don’t shirk their responsibilities.

Not every veteran has faced a life or death circumstance and not every police officer has faced a life or death circumstance. But, we don’t distinguish between the veterans who served, so why distinguish between police who serve and may or may not engage in confronting the bad guys?

In Orland Park, the village board last year approved a vehicle sticker that proudly showcases the American Flag and the words “We Support Our Police.”

In this day and age of Uber-patriotism, you would think the public would be enthusiastic about our police. But they’re not. Many fear that if they display Orland’s new vehicle sticker on their car for the next two years (July 2017 to July 2019), people angry with the police over several terrible incidents, might vandalize their vehicles.

They can cheer at parades, but not on their cars.

In response, Orland Park printed a bar code sticker that they gave with the American Flag/Police Tribune stickers and let the vehicle owner chose which to display.

It’s a no brainer for me. I placed the American Flag/Police Tribute sticker on my car.

If someone has a problem with that, so be it. Just as there have been veterans who have committed atrocities and violated the law, so too have there been some police. And if someone vandalizes my car because of that sticker, they should be prosecuted as criminals, not just vandals.

Should we punish all police for the acts of a few? No. Doing so would be an act of a different kind of racism, which in my book is no longer just about skin color.

The new racism today is discrimination and hate based on skin color, religion, culture, ethnicity, and any other reason that people use to negatively stereotype whole groups because of the actions of a few.

I’m proud to say I support the police this 4th of July weekend. Let’s salute the veterans and let’s salute the equally brave police officer. They deserve it, too.

(Ray Hanania is a columnist, author and former Chicago City Hall reporter. Email him at [email protected].)

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield - October 31, 2025
  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown - October 30, 2025
  • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations - October 30, 2025
NPV: 48
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Opinion, rayhanania, Veterans Tags:commemoration, cops, Holidays, honors, Military, Police, Police officers, soldiers, veterans

Post navigation

Previous Post: Chicagoland among top 10 to be bugged by bugs
Next Post: Bridgeview driver charged in motorcyclist’s death

Related Posts

  • The bullying of Sharon Brannigan Blogger
  • Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus Baby Boomers
  • U.S. Navy Seaman Shamique Clarke, from Joliet, Illinois, operates a sliding padeye while aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 11, 2019. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dillon J. Sweeney)
    Veterans News: Local active duty veterans get assignments Chicago
  • County Commissioner Sean Morrison pictured at the Cook County Board
    Soda pop war sends shockwaves through Cook County Blogger
  • Ian Conyers, a former Michigan legislator and nephew of longtime Congressman John Conyers. Photo courtesy of Ian Conyers.
    Podcast: John Conyers’ nephew endorses Brenda Jones over Rashida Tlaib elections
  • Marie Newman, candidate for the 3rd District
    Marie Newman launches very effective TV Ad Campaign Blogger

More Related Articles

Palestinian women and children flee the onslaught of violence from Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Palestinian neighborhoods and Gaza. Photo courtesy of B'Tselem Politicians and media set aside facts when covering Israel Blogger
10-11-18 Hanania column Van Dyke China No justice in fight against crime in Van Dyke conviction Blogger
Ray Hanania at City Hall in 1985 Hanania launches second season of Arab Radio show in Chicago Chicago
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Japan should reject Rahm Emanuel appointment as US Ambassador Blogger
Bill Conway, Democratic Candidate for Cook County State's Attorney and former Iraq War veteran Bill Conway slams Kim Foxx in new TV Commercial Chicago
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Illinois is not safe under Pritzker Blogger

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield
    October 31, 2025
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme