A daughter’s remembrance on Pearl Harbor Day.

Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. My father, mother, and sister were there at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. As Lt. Commander of the U.S.S. Mugford, my father led one of the three ships that made it safely out of the harbor that morning. For my family, and for all of us, today is a day of reflection and a day of honoring those who served, as well as their families. As John Milton said, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Of the more than 16 million U.S. service members who fought in World War II, fewer than 900,000 are still alive, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. To those who have passed since, and those who have sacrificed their lives during service, we honor and thank you for your valor and commitment.

Today, as the daughter of a 33-year career Navy veteran, I am proud to work at Step Up, where we are committed to ending homelessness for US veterans. We are working diligently with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and have made a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to develop 400 units of permanent supportive housing specifically for veterans in the Los Angeles area.

Step Up continues to lead Los Angeles out of homelessness with a permanent supportive housing model.  Housing first works, and changes the future for veterans experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues. Salute!

-Carolyn L. Baker, M. Ed, Chief Development Officer, Step Up & Daniel’s Places