Remembering those who didn’t come home this Memorial Day
Unlike the Fourth of July and Veterans Day, Memorial Day can take on a somber tone.
“We’re happy and lucky to be above ground and doing what we do because a lot of people didn’t make it back,” said Steven Baird, Executive Director of the Echo Group/Band of Brothers.
For Vets like Steven Baird, this isn’t a “holiday” weekend.
“Memorial Day is about remembrance, it’s about those who didn’t come home,” said Baird.
Through tragedy a bond is formed.
“Throughout the years you lose more and you lose more and I lost a friend by an IED in Iraq so that’s what our common thread is, everybody shares some story of losing somebody,” said Baird.
Baird says this weekend is full of reflection and can be tough for many of his fellow comrades. “Help one another, that’s the biggest thing you can do for your community is to help one another,” he said.
The Marine who served for four years, admits he wouldn’t be where he’s at today without the help he received from other veterans.
“I did great for a long time and then eventually life got to be a little difficult. I ended up moving back down here to the Central Coast, where I’m from born and raised, I started struggling and I ended up homeless myself,” said Baird.
Baird is now the Operational Director of La Casa de Flores. The stability home is known affectionately as “Camp Flores.”
“You come in here, we’re going to push you to go forward. Get in touch with the services you need, a lot of times people don’t know the services are available or they just don’t trust the system and so we help foster that growth,” said Baird.
Falling back on that common bond, giving back and paying it forward.
“Don’t stop the barbecues, don’t stop the fun, the sales, everything, that’s part of who we are in America but also don’t forget to just bow your head, whatever you believe, and take a moment to say thanks,” said Baird.
The demand continues to grow at Camp Flores, Baird is adding an entire second floor with more bedrooms to help get more homeless vets off the streets.
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