I would like to tell you our Social Security Stories. Stories that Elon Musk and Donald Trump might regard as reaching beyond a retirement benefit.

In 1948, my father was killed when a tractor trailer jackknifed on an icy road near Reading, PA. My mother was left with five children, aged 4-15, and spent several days in the hospital as a result of that accident.

My father had managed a farm in New Jersey with a herd of show cattle. The owner of the farm was very understanding, but eventually Mother had to relocate our family to a small acreage where we raised a garden, chickens, sheep and a couple of cattle. We sold produce, eggs and various baked items. Mother worked in an orchard processing plant, cleaned houses and was hired for various projects by neighbors in order to meet our needs.

Social Security assistance helped to meet our needs as minors. Dad was an immigrant from the Netherlands and was proud to pay his taxes and pay into Social Security. Mother resisted suggestions that her children be sent to orphanages. With help from insurance and Social Security benefits, we made it work.

My wife’s father passed away of a heart attack when she was 16. Her mother worked part-time in a grocery store. With the help of Social Security, she was able to finish high school and graduate from college.

We both have paid taxes and Social Security for many years and are grateful that we could have the benefit of our Social Security as retirees. Social Security helps society in several ways besides paying for retirement benefits. We have been glad to do our part in providing a safety net for those who have limited or no other resources.

Peter Vanderveen, Estes Park