anonymous, not out of shame, but with the hope that everyone who visits his website and reads his blog, Living with PTSD, can imagine they are hearing from any vet, any where, suffering from this tragic result of combat service. He wants to be a voice crying in the wilderness of ignorance and disinterest for all vets who suffer.
I've been following this Vet on his blog and on Twitter for several months now. He's keeping it real, pulling no punches, being as honest and sincere as a man can be. I've been intending to do a post for some time now. We've just had Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July looms in the near future. In between, June is PTSD Awareness Month and that make this the perfect time.
Did you know that the men and women who have kept us safe and free are committing suicide at a rate triple that of the rest of the population? One out of every five suicides in the U.S. is committed by a veteran! The official number is 22 a day, but various factors indicate that number is much higher. The government looks for ways to help, ways to intervene, but we all know how impersonal, how slow and bogged down the government animal operates.
All of these things come together to cause our Vet to issue the call for all of us who live in the benefit of the freedom and safety we enjoy at their sacrifice, to come together and help in a more personal way. Just letting veterans know we care on a one to one basis. To know and feel they are not forgotten.
Together We Can Save Lives
#TWCSL
Tomorrow is Tuesday. And our Vet calls us to duty. To contact, connect, visit, call, a vet or vets in your own life each and every Tuesday. Calling it Telephone A Vet Tuesday, he asks you to make it a habit.
Spread the word through your social media. #TAVT Let your church know. Tell your co-workers. Contact your local news. Help this Vet help others!
In closing, if there is anyone who is gifted in graphic design who would be willing to help our Vet create a design for T-shirts and posters, please drop by his website and leave him a comment saying you'll donate your talents.
Twitter: @AVetwithPTSD
Facebook: Help Support a Veteran Fight PTSD
He's trying to make a difference because he knows what it's like - as you said, keeping it real. Will help spread the word.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alex!!
DeleteThank You Barbara!! I've been meaning to write an article too, and will be in a few days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for "kicking it off" right. Vet is an awesome motivator even if he doesn't see it in himself.
God Bless him and everyone helping in the effort.
I meant to do it before Memorial Day. Then things got hectic. But I think this is much more fitting! Thank you, girl! And you are right about our Vet!!
DeleteSo true, it's important to get this message out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz!
DeleteI have a brother who is suffering with PTSD, although he has never been to a doctor to be diagnosed. Instead he fell to the bottom of a whiskey bottle. Hard to convince someone that they have PTSD if they don't want to admit it. He served in the Viet Nam war. I will go check out this blog. Thanks for getting the message out!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how it must break your heart so see your brother suffering. My prayers for him and for you.
DeleteIt is difficult to fathom what many vets are going through. Thanks for putting out the word.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if we've never served in a war zone, that there is no way to really understand. But we can be respectful, and grateful, and treat them with warmth and dignity.
DeleteThis is an important topic, Barbara! Thanks for giving it your attention. These men and women serve on OUR behalf. We need to give back in equal measure and we're sorely lacking.
ReplyDeleteYou said it!
DeleteIt is maddening and saddening how we treat our vets!! Its heart breaking to see so many suffer. This has to change! I will go check out his blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Holli!
DeleteYou should look into the Maverick-Movement. You and the founder of that Nom Profit Organization are so similiar. The Founder & CEO is very receptive amd helpful. The Maverick-Movement is a 501 (c) 3 for Soldier Suicide Awarmess and Prevention. His namr is Maverick de Soto on Facebook!
ReplyDelete