I know that Memorial Day is a holiday in which we remember those that have given their lives in service to our country.
It is not Veterans' Day. (for those that have served)
It is not Armed Forces Day. (for those that are serving)
It is not to remember any of our loved ones that have died.
It is for honoring those that have given their lives while serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.
This morning, however, I am thinking of some other casualties of war.
There are so many of our young service people that are committing suicide after returning from serving in the Middle East. The suicide rate among young returning military personnel is at an alarmingly high rate ... an no one is listening to the alarm!
While I understand that there are many different contributing factors and that it is difficult to know when a person is at risk, it seems to me that there ought to be something that we can do and some warning signs that loved ones can be watching for.
What a tragedy that we have young men and women surviving their military service only to lose the mental battles that continue long after their return to the safety of their homes.
Honestly, I'm feeling helpless this morning and don't really know what to write.
It's just something on my heart today.
John <><
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." --General George Patton
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2 comments:
Claire McCaskill has been pushing to get something don't but I don't think she is making much headway.
John, the suicide rate for vets is a serious neglected duty that our country has. I don't know how it can be solved, but hopefully some people are trying to. It is a scandal. What were things like after World War II?
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