Today is Veterans Day.
Quick story: I recently returned from Las Vegas and I’m done with that town.
I was appalled by the number of homeless men — many of whom identified themselves as veterans — living right on the strip. Some of the men were old enough to have served in Vietnam; however, I saw several self-identified veterans who were sleeping on the streets & seemed to be my age.
I am thirty-three years old. How is it possible that men in their 20s and 30s are fighting on behalf of America but unable to secure housing and employment when they return home?
That’s totally unacceptable to me.
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One of my favorite organizations, IAVA, has an excellent page on its website that lists employment resources for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. I urge you to check it out — and donate to IAVA if you want to support a thoughtful and worthwhile charity.
You can also check out IAVA on Facebook and join the cause.
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Happy Veteran’s Day, and thanks for serving this country under all circumstances and without exception. I’d like to send a special shout-out to my cousin, Devin, who is serving overseas and under very difficult circumstances. We miss you & we are thinking about you. Be safe!
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Nice post, Laurie!
Laurie,
Thanks for the link to IAVA! To quote the great business guru Michael Scott I’m “forwarding it like it’s hot”.
As an Army vet myself, it really hits home when a brother or sister soldier needs a hand, and there’s none there to grab.
thanks!
On the 11th Day of the 11th month each year, Americans come together to honor those in uniform, the ones who sacrificed for our nation, on Veterans Day. As a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan, War on Terror, I urge everyone to take this day to not just thank a veteran, but to talk with veterans. Learn about how our experiences have shaped our lives and what issues we face as we make our transitions back to civilian life. I would like to explain my side of the story, my own experience.
When I joined the military I was a young, confused kid, who did not know much about life, due to being sheltered for most of my life by my over protective parents. I did not know much about the war, just that I was enraged at the hatred those terrorists had for all Americans and me. I wanted to help my country, to protect it at all cost, even giving up my life to do so. It may sound funny but when I initially tried to enlist in the military, I was to be a military post-man, but the job had already been taken. Since I am color-blind, I wasn
@Michael Thanks!
@Jimmy You should absolutely forward the IAVA link. They are a great organization.
@Joshua Thanks for sharing your story. My readers will absolutely benefit from learning more about your experience. Thank you so much for your service. – Laurie
Joshua, if you are reading this, please know that I am extremely touched by your story. Thank you for sharing what you went through; it was brave of you to relive your experiences for the rest of us to read.
That you wanted to do something for your country and it turned out that your country did not love you back, does not diminish your service and dedication – it diminishes us. You did sacrifice your life, your life as you knew it, and now you are not who you used to be. And you can’t go back. Some of those people who know you will say, “We just want the old Josh back.” Forget it. The old Josh is gone – he gave his life for his country.
But the new Josh, the man you will become, does not have to be mental case, a failed story, or another personal disaster. Joshua, you are on a journey now, a new adventure to become a wiser, calmer, sane man. This journey will be no less difficult than the one that brought you to this point. There will be basic training to teach and heal your mind and emotions. There will be hardships along the way, as you will sometimes fail and have to start over. There will be education to hone your skills for the next profession you choose to pursue. Then the real battlefield comes, the battlefield of life, where everyday you will have to be strong, be a man, and do your duty to yourself.
This is the man you will become. Sane, calm, strong, wise, caring, able to love and be loved, able to experience joy, and able to overcome your demons. You will get there, believe it.
Tell your story anytime you can. Blog. Keep a journal. Join other vet groups in your area. Start your own blog or group. Scream and shout over and over as long as need be. Find good, quality mental help, someone who is experienced in PTSD. Try new things. So what if everything you try doesn’t turn out – you need to replace the bad with the good. Your mind has tons of room for new, wonderful experiences. Your heart has room for love.
Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. They are evil tricksters and not the path you seek. Forget suicide – as tempting as the final peace may seem, your torment will transfer to your loved ones, and they will have horrible sorrow, and be robbed of their peace. They will always feel as if they let you down. Hang on, hang on, hang on – your life will get better, and the people you are meant to love and care for in your future are waiting for you.
Josh, thank you for your service to us, your countrymen. Thank you for the brave re-telling of your story. Keep in touch with us through Laurie’s blog and let us know how you are fairing in your personal struggle to be whole and happy. You were right to send your story to Laurie’s blog – she is an unbelievably kind and sensitive person.
Go forward with our hope, love, gratitude, and respect at your side. All the best to you.
IAVA’s Todd Bowers will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com to discuss what the Obama administration must do to help returning veterans at 5 PM New York time Thursday Nov. 13.
To talk to him please go to http://www.garybaumgarten.com and click on the JOIN THE SHOW link. There is no charge.
Thanks