Today we celebrate the men and women who have served in our country's armed forces. I'm proud to be among this group of veterans, and to be able to share with others the solace I have found in the outdoors following my return from active duty.
Over the past several years I've led countless climbing trips and outings for veterans across the country, from the red rock of Utah to the peaks of the Cascades. While the people and personalities are always different and the challenges presented by the places unique, one truth remains constant. America's wild places possess tremendous healing power. Spending time in nature is a catalyst for healing for those who struggle with injury, grief, or mental illness. The challenge of the outdoors provides a focus outside of yourself, even as it opens opportunities for personal reflection. It's a kind of therapy like none other and for many veterans, myself included, is highly effective for fostering healing and help ease reintegration.
Many of these outdoor opportunities are available to veterans, and all Americans, because Americans had the foresight to protect some of our country's most special places. These areas have been preserved so that people from all walks of life can use and enjoy them. Our national parks, monuments and wilderness areas are part of our American identity and embody the American story. It's a story that isn't over.
Today there remain many special places in need of permanent protection, places like Berryessa Snow Mountain in California and Browns Canyon in Colorado. Protected public lands are good for everyone. They benefit local economies; they protect the air we breathe and the water we drink; particularly relevant today, they improve the quality of life for everyone who gets to experience them.
As President Obama recognizes the contributions of all our veterans, I hope he will look to their future as well. I hope he will continue to build America's proud conservation legacy by designating national monuments. As John Muir once said, "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." Let's protect some more places for walking.
-- by Stacy Bare, Director, Sierra Club Outdoors