Americans all across the country honored those who served during Veterans Day ceremonies last Friday.

 

While there were many speeches about those who have given their lives to protect our freedom, a few former servicemen took the opportunity to focus on the veterans who are still struggling.

 

Stearns County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Cory Vaske spoke about the difficulties some Vietnam Veterans are having today during the ceremony at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center auditorium.

 

“While in the service they sacrificed precious times with their families, often missing out on significant events. They sacrificed economic opportunities commensurate with their civilian counterparts.

 

After their service, they often continue to sacrifice in a quality of life and earning capacity due to their service connected disabilities, and even straining relationships with their families and friends. In fact, their families continue to sacrifice by caring for the veterans.

 

All service members are impacted to some degree by these sacrifices. Many are able to cope and persevere through these challenges. Through the help of institutions such as the VA, their families, local service organizations or community organizations such as the Yellow Ribbon Network, they’re able to get back up.

 

However, there are too many who are unable to overcome the consequential weight of their experiences. Recent VA data  indicates that on average, 20 veterans a day commit suicide. Veteran suicides account for 18% of all suicides in the nation.

 

There have been many efforts to address this issue over the years, including the creation of the veterans crisis line and the expansion of medical healthcare to veterans. Still the rates have not changed much.

 

In 2014, nearly 65% of suicides were committed by veterans over the age of 50. I’ve worked with a number of Vietnam Veterans in recent years who have retired or are preparing for retirement. Many of these veterans came home unwelcomed and unwanted by their citizens. Some of these veterans, scarred by their experiences, turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the anxiety and depression they were experiencing.

 

Many others turned to a different crutch. They became workaholics. 

 

Their work ethic allowed them to successfully avoid dealing with those experiences. Because of their work ethic, they often have successful careers and their internal struggles went unnoticed, except by those closest to them.

 

What I have seen in the past few years is a number of these successful Vietnam Veteran that are now retiring. Their emotions are now starting to bubble up and they’re struggling to deal with those. For those veterans, many still harbour resentment towards the VA and their fellow communities for the reception they received when they returned from war.

 

These idealologies, coupled with their now overwhelming emotions, can leave them isolated from friends and family and avoid seeking assistance from beneficial resources such as the VA. 

 

Why am I talking about this? It’s sort of a downer on Veterans Day. Well, I believe that part of the solution of the veterans suicide issue is tangent to the purpose of Veterans Day -community involvement, recognition and awareness of veterans issues.

 

Ultimately, no matter how much money we throw at this issue, no matter how many programs we create to help, I believe that the most effective way to address this problem is by active community support networks.

 

I’m not talking about a moral support network, but rather that we as individuals within the community become aware of our efforts and are actively reaching out to our veterans to get them involved.

Invite them to coffee, to church, to go fishing, to play cards or to community events. Engage them in meaningful conversation. I believe that the veteran who is connected to the community, who feels accepted by the community, whose beliefs are accepted by the community, they are more likely to reach out when they are in need. 

 

Many veterans have difficulty asking for help, and unless you get to know them, you may never pick up on their subtle cries for help.

 

I believe that the need for an intentional effort to engage and integrate veterans into our communities is going to grow to right the wrongs they experienced when they returned.

 

Positive sentiment and support for veterans is as high as it has ever been  in our society. I hope that this continues. 

 

However, if the economy falters resulting in budgetary cuts, or public awareness dissipates due to the separation of time in the most recent conflicts, it might be difficult to maintain the same degree of support structure that currently exists. 

 

If this were to occur, an increased obligation to help and support our local veterans would fall upon the  local communities. There are already active efforts in place to develop safety nets within the communities for veterans.

 

If you are interested in finding out more about these initiatives, please look into your local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network. 

 

Our men and women of uniform have sacrificed in so many ways, we would do well to recognize their sacrifices and continue to embrace our obligation to care for the consequences they and their families have suffered.

You, by being here are already showing the effort that many citizens have by participating in this Veterans Day ceremony.

 

To you veterans out there,  here have never been  more services available to you or more support in the community. I implore you to seek out your Veterans Service Officer if you are in need of assistance.

Thank you for your service.”