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| Iraq 2006 |
Every year, since 2007, when my own son became a veteran, I
have written something for Veterans Day. My theme changes slightly, usually
depending on the reflection I am seeing through my son’s eyes.
This year, the reflection from his eyes is a good one. At
least for today, at least for this moment—he is in a good place and time. If he
is dogged by nightmares, he’s not saying. I notice he keeps himself busy, like
my dad used to do. Always tinkering with something—the opposite of depression
sleeping. Busy hands, calm mind. Calmer mind. (**note 2017 this is no longer the case- severe PTSD anxiety attacks, withdrawal from family and friends)
If he is in a better place- than, so too am I. But, now my
focus has shifted from him to the bigger picture. A picture whose existence I
have been peripherally aware of, but until now, until my own son was in the
clear, walking towards peace of mind instead of down Crazyville Street, I could
not focus on anything but him.
The picture I am seeing is a horrific one. It’s the stuff
nightmares are made of. It’s full of suicide, depression, PTSD, diagnosed and
undiagnosed brain injuries, the inability to reach the people that need us most—that
deserve help the most. And, worst of all—apathy. Apathy on the part of the
American people, the very people who have benefited from the missing limbs, the
burned skin, the inability to think straight, the lack of attention span, the
shakes, the nightmares, the alcoholism, the suicides—they could not care less.
Lately there is advertising showing buffed soldiers or
Marine veterans missing body parts, modeling underwear or whatever. This is
good. Maybe, Americans will be able to look these people in the eye someday and
say…what? Thank you for your sacrifice.
Thank you for losing that leg, arm, eye, life as you knew it. Thank you just
isn’t enough.
The latest DOD data
on suicide amongst veterans is an estimated 22 Veterans will commit suicide
DAILY.
According to
the report: “Among cases where history of U.S. military service was reported,
Veterans comprised approximately 22.2% of all suicides reported during the
project period. If this prevalence estimate is assumed to be constant across
all U.S. states, an estimated 22 Veterans will have died from suicide each day
in the calendar year 2010.”
I suspect
the actual number is really higher. They won’t classify death from alcohol or
drug overdose as suicide—but for many veterans (and civilians too) that is
exactly what it is. I call it slow suicide.
This report notes
the following: During the Iraq War, 4,475 U.S. service members were killed and 32,220 were wounded; in Afghanistan, 2,165 have been killed and 18,230 wounded through Feb. 5, 2013.
Among service members deployed in these conflicts, 103,792 were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
over the period 2002 to December 2012. Over that same period, 253,330 service members were diagnosed
with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) of some kind. As a result of battle
injuries in the Iraq War, 991 service members received wounds that required
amputations; 797 lost major limbs, such as a leg. In Afghanistan, 724 have had
to undergo amputations, with 696 losing a major limb. -
According to information
obtained through the VA, there were 62,619 homeless
veterans in the United States in January 2012. I’m willing to bet there were
more then and there are many more now. This is disgraceful and unacceptable.
And, please don’t tell me some of them want to live this way. If that is what
you want to tell yourself to make yourself feel better then great—but please
don’t expect me or anyone else with a brain to believe it.
Here are some facts from the not for profit
Greendoors,
based in Texas.
- The number of homeless female veterans is on the rise: in 2006, there were 150 homeless female veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; in 2011, there were 1,700. That same year, 18% of homeless veterans assisted by the VA were women. Comparison studies conducted by HUD show that female veterans are two to three times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the US adult population.
- Veterans between the ages of 18 and 30 are twice as likely as adults in the general population to be homeless, and the risk of homelessness increases significantly among young veterans who are poor.
- Roughly 56% of all homeless veterans are African-American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 12.8% and 15.4% of the U.S. population respectively.
- About 53% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities, compared with 41%of homeless non-veteran individuals.
- Half suffer from mental illness; two-thirds suffer from substance abuse problems; and many from dual diagnosis (which is defined as a person struggling with both mental illness and a substance abuse problem).
- Homeless veterans tend to experience homelessness
longer than their non-veteran peers: Veterans spend an average of nearly
six years homeless, compared to four years reported among non-veterans
There are
programs all over the country trying to help homeless veterans. But, they need
our help. The VA is overwhelmed with veterans right now. If you think your 2-3
hour wait at Kaiser or your local clinic is too long… try going to the VA. Now try it with PTSD and a little bit of TBI. Try
filling out reams of forms and then turning them in and waiting 6 -9 months for
a reply to tell you if you qualify for disability, when you are positive that
you were blown off a rooftop in Iraq and hurt your head-- bad.
Volunteering at
the VA is one way you and I can help. But there are other ways. You can help on
a local level by finding out what resources there are for veterans in your area
and asking them what you can do.
Learn how to talk
to veterans. If you never served, you need to understand that you don’t really
understand. Acknowledge that, and you will at least gain some respect from the
veteran. Don’t ask stupid questions. (Like, did you ever kill anyone?) A veteran will tell you what he wants to tell
you.
If you know a
veteran in need of assistance make a call 877-4AID-VET
If you know a
veteran who may be contemplating suicide: Veterans and
their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255
and Press 1,
chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net*,
or send a text message to 838255
to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a
year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. VA
also provides support for Service members through the Military Crisis Line.
Service members and their families and friends can call and text the Veterans
Crisis Line numbers and can chat online at www.MilitaryCrisisLine.net.
There are so many
things we civilians can do to help today’s veterans and the veterans from
previous wars, who have served our country, and made it possible for us to live
in the free world that we live in.
Most of us can’t
write a big old fat check to our favorite charity. But there are still ways to
help raise funds for these not for profit organizations that truly help our
veterans. Be sure you investigate the organization thoroughly before donating time
or money.
If you can’t volunteer,
then just do this. Next time you see someone wearing a USMC hat, or a Navy hat,
or an Army jacket. Ask them if they are a veteran. If they say yes—shake their
hand. Look them in the eye and shake their hand-- and then say thank you, and
mean it.
Resources for
veterans and their loved ones:
PTSD/ SUICIDE
Hearts Toward Home International – Dr.
Bridgett Cantrell
HOMELESS
Greendoors
-Texas
***You can find
more and local resources by googling key words and adding your city.
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