Just last month we celebrated Veterans Day. It\u2019s the day we say a collective \u201cThank You\u201d to those who have worn our country\u2019s uniform, and a yearly reminder to think of those who have served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not enough to post on social media once a year to demonstrate to our friends and colleagues that we care, only to forget about it until the next holiday. It\u2019s not enough for politicians to talk about military families on the campaign trail, and not move the needle on policies once they\u2019re in office. It\u2019s not enough for businesses to give a military discount on the holiday, and not put forward any initiatives to help veterans find civilian jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say it\u2019s not enough, because we owe a debt to service members, veterans and military families that can never be repaid \u2013 and we owe it every day, not just once a year. For those of us who have never worn the uniform, we can\u2019t comprehend the weight our veterans carry home with them, or the challenges they face when they return to civilian life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just look at the numbers. Over the last 20 years, more than 30,000 active-duty personnel and veterans who served after 9\/11 died by suicide, compared to just over 7,000 killed in combat, according to the USO. On any given night more than 30,000 veterans are without a home (VA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With statistics like these, we must do more than say, \u201cThank you.\u201d We must put policies in place that make mental health care accessible for veterans and shore up systems to ensure they are impactful. We must build a stronger bridge for veterans to help them access networks of support, because no one who has put themselves in harm\u2019s way for our freedoms should have to wonder where they\u2019re going to sleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We must also do more for their families. I always say, \u201cThe family serves, too.\u201d That\u2019s because they make up a critical support system by handling the logistics of moving from place to place, caring for an ill or injured loved one, and simply being there to help shoulder the emotional weight that service brings forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n