We Can’t Give Up on Our Veterans

Not too many years ago, about twenty-two veterans committed suicide every day. The past several years the number has declined to just over seventeen.  That is an improvement.  However, we have a long, long way to go. 

While progress was being made in creating programs focused on addressing the mental health of our warriors who often find challenges in adapting to civilian life and leaving an adrenaline filled warrior lifestyle.  The military gives a lot of training to help our warriors possess endurance, resilience, and inner willpower.  The training prepares a civilian for military life.  However, little training is focused on the transition from military back to civilian life.  

While Congress appropriated additional funds and nonprofits with passionate leaders sought to address those challenges, too many veterans fall through the cracks.  While some veterans receive excellent care from the Veterans Department, others don’t trust the agency.  That’s the gap the nonprofits and local agencies can fill – to address issues of homelessness and untreated PTSD. 

Unfortunately, staffing at the Veterans Department is being cut.  This is interesting because I have always heard of the agency not having enough staff to address the needs of veterans.  Long waits at VA Hospitals, overstretched staff.  We do not contest that there is waste and lack of efficiency, and we support efforts to improve customer service through the use of technology, However, we are concerned that a safety net for Veterans has been dropped, and fear the number of suicides will creep up again, particularly as the economy falls on hard times and philanthropy becomes over-stretched to fill the gaps from the loss of government grants to help our warriors. 

Another concern is that this has filtered down to the state level.  Many states use federal grant to fund veteran programs outside the VA.  Rather than make up for the lost programming, the state programs are being cut – and substantially.  This puts our warrior community at high risk. 

These programs create a great return on investment. By treating and supporting our warriors, they become productive members of society, paying taxes and supporting our economy.  They possess excellent skills from military training:  self-discipline, strategic thinking, and public servant mentality.  

We don’t have the answer, but believe that funding for veterans networks should not be cut. If there is a need for efficiency, let us get a plan in place first.