by: Brandon Walker
– The Free Patriot http://ow.ly/qGRV9
Today is Veteran’s Day. To some it represents a day off work. To some it is an excuse to party. To some it is a day of remembrance. To many it is the remembrance of the worst moments of our lives. We have to remember the struggles we fight each and every day. It’s past time we face a very sick fact folks! It’s past time we talk about it!
Oh sure, you see a small segment on TV. Folks if this statistic doesn’t make you sick, there is something wrong. 22 veterans and one active duty soldier a day looses the battle. No, that battle is not combat. In fact there are fewer people killed in combat then by this. That battle is suicide.
Today is the worst day of all for it. With the movies and the video games that glorifies war, there is one thing that people forget. There is nothing glorious about war. General George S. Patton put it best, “War Is Hell!” You can not imagine the carnage or the pain that those people see daily through their own eyes. Pretending to understand doesn’t cut it, you don’t know unless you have been there. Some “wounds” that we receive are not visible. Sure you can see an amputated leg, you can see bullet scarring, you can even see the pen knife scars on my back from a “State Side” incident, but you can’t see the trauma that plays out in the minds daily. You can’t see the pain.
So what do most people do, they ignore it. They tease the individual. They ask them dumb questions like, “is it fun killing babies?” You may think it is a joke, but your either going to get them mad, going to get hit, or your going to start a battle in their minds. Diversity Inc came up with things not to say to a veteran.
- Thank you for your service, but I don’t think we should be there.
- What’s the worst thing that happened to you over there?
- You’re a husband/wife/mother/father, how could you leave your family like that?
- You’re too rigid to deal with sudden change.
- Do you have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Have you ever killed anyone?
- Why did you join the military?~Diversity Inc
I could probably come up with a lot more that is not on that list that I have heard every day. It’s a good list though. If you don’t want sued, fired, or smacked upside the head in a bad way, you might want to take that into account. Most don’t want to talk about it.
For the family, friends, and loved ones of our veterans:
Today is going to be a bad day. Expect your love one to have nightmares. Don’t push. They will open up. Don’t shove drugs on them. Don’t get sarcastic. If they want to talk, let them talk. Also know the common symptoms of suicide:
Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to commit suicide include:
- Always talking or thinking about death
- Clinical depression — deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating — that gets worse
- Having a “death wish,” tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights
- Losing interest in things one used to care about
- Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
- Saying things like “it would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out”
- Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
- Talking about suicide or killing one’s self
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
Be especially concerned if a person is exhibiting any of these warning signs and has attempted suicide in the past. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, between 20% and 50% of people who commit suicide have had a previous attempt.~Web MD
Chances are, each and every one of us knows a veteran. Call them. Take them to dinner if you can. Talk to them. Reach out to them. It can be just as simple as, “I just called to check on you and tell you I love you. What’s going on with you?” that is the difference between life and death. You don’t have to be pushy about it, but it lets them know someone cares.
If you have to, call for help. Its better for them to be pissed off at you for interfering then to be remembering his or her loss next Veteran’s Day.
For the Veteran Reader
If the day is tough on you, trust me, we understand. If you think no one cares though, you have another thing coming. Call a friend. Call a relative. Call someone. The Veterans Administration number is 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you can’t reach your buddies. The National Suicide Crisis Hotline is also 1-800-273-8255. Those people are trained to listen. Don’t be afraid.
There are organizations out there like Battle Buddy and Battling BARE who work specifically with PTSD. They specifically work for people like you. That is why they do what they do. We believe in you. There are also may restaurants that are giving out free meals that will be filled with patriots just like yourself today. We are there for the food, but it doesn’t mean that you are not surrounded by people who know where you are coming from and won’t be there for you.
There is always church. If you can’t get into the office, call the preacher or chaplain. That is what they are there for. Most have licenses to counsel along with preaching. It doesn’t matter if it is a Hebrew Rabbi, Protestant, or Catholic Priest. They are supposed to be there to guide you through a difficult time and listen to you. Prayer also works. I know that some atheists may give people flack on that one, but it is truth. Studies have found that prayer reduces stress and produces chemicals that help the body heal.
Finally there is always music and entertainment. While I don’t suggest movies like Zero Dark 30 or Blackhawk Down because of the memories, there is a light comedy or even a good science fiction flick at every turn. There are also artists out there that perform just to combat their own PTSD and depression. Soldier Hard is a rap artist that combats his PTSD by singing to veterans that they are not alone and to hang in there.
Always above all, remember soldier, you are never alone.
