For the last decade I have felt that my service didn't matter. Responding to thanks, especially from strangers was awkward at best. My friends died during & sadly after from physical & mental trauma they couldn't get help for. Congress, who loves parades, medals & stand for the anthem does little to help them. Empathy is on life support in the US. At least 1 vet will die by their own hand today, it's 1 too many. Lets begin with awareness. https://votevets.org/
@thechriskidd I'm sorry for your suffering and loss. And you're right. It's easy to chirp "Thank you for your service." Those words are meaningless, though, if we don't support our vets. My step-father was a Vietnam vet with bad PTSD and there was little compassion, understanding, or empathy for him in our 'patriotic' community.
@Myana I was lucky. I gained as much from my service as I could hope for. I used it get educated. I had amazing support from my family. My father recognized something was wrong and refused to let me wither. Many are not that lucky. That time in my life allowed me to raise 3 amazing children that are thankful of what hey have been given and understand it wasnt free.
@thechriskidd That is wonderful!
For us the biggest problem was ignorance, which was why your comment about 'let's begin with awareness' hit me.
There may have been help available, but Mom and I didn't know where to find it (late 1970s so no internet). Our understanding of PTSD was terribly vague. We could be there with Jack when he was 'back in the war'. We could talk to him, talk him down. But that was it.
I wish we could have helped more. I wish we'd known more.