Veterans Day is a day to thank and honor both living and dead United States veterans, unlike Memorial Day, where Americans honor only those soldiers who died as a result of injuries sustained during the battle. Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and was considered a legal holiday on November 11, 1918. It was a day to honor the end of World War I and in 1938 legislation was passed dedicating the date 11-11 as the cause of world peace. . In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that proclaimed that 9/11 would no longer be called Armistice Day. From that day on, it would be known as Veterans Day.
Fifty-seven years later, on 11-11-11, Americans will gather across the country to honor Veterans. At exactly 11:00 am, an escort from each branch of the military will honor the war dead with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. .
Factors Complicating What Veterans Experience
You may have been subjected to hostile gunfire, explosions, personal injury, feared for your own personal safety, witnessed combat casualties and lived in harsh day-to-day conditions, or experienced sexual harassment and military trauma. He may currently be facing losses such as homelessness and unemployment.
Military factors that may complicate your experience include training accidents and combat injuries resulting in death, a lengthy process to recover and transport your friend’s body home prior to burial, limited viewing of remains due to injuries, the soldier’s young age of almost a year. a third of US troops killed in Iraq were between 18 and 21 years old. Now that he has returned home, he may have to deal with unwanted media attention, civilian reactions to military deaths, and vindictive political protesters at the funeral.
As a veteran, you face a number of issues including a long wait for doctor’s appointments, driving several hours to see a mental health specialist, your spouse wanting to separate or divorce, job loss or lack of a job appropriate and negative stereotypes of military. /veterans in the cinema. Many veterans feel out of control when eating. They have disturbing images due to military trauma and need alcohol and/or drugs to get through the day. You may feel worried, anxious, irritable, frustrated, and preoccupied with anger.
Some veterans take prescription drugs without medical supervision and consider taking their own lives. Too many veterans experience hopelessness, anger, and withdrawal from friends, family, and their community and lack a sense of purpose in life. The VA Suicide Hotline receives approximately 10,000 calls per month. There are 950 suicide attempts per month by veterans receiving VA care and eighteen veterans die by suicide each day. Five of them are under VA care.
What veterans go through
Veterans are dealing with prolonged grief disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries. They may experience unwanted memories, volatile behavior, lack of sleep, suspiciousness, withdrawal, and have higher rates of drug and alcohol disorders. Physical reactions include chronic pain; digestive disorders, Gulf War Illness and respiratory illness. Physical disabilities include amputations and spinal cord injuries. Emotional reactions include feeling empty, angry, guilty, overwhelmed, and sad. Cognitive reactions are forgetfulness, guilt, confusion, flashbacks, and doubt. Behavioral reactions include feeling disconnected from the environment, intolerant, distrustful, refusing to speak, and sleep disturbances. Spiritual reactions are abandoned faith, apathy for the future, feeling abandoned, hopeless, and loss of purpose.
Why Veterans Aren’t Getting Help
Although what you are going through may be similar to what others are going through, many veterans refuse to seek help because they fear it will only make things worse. They feel stigma about how they will be perceived and feel shame that prevents them from seeking help. Some veterans don’t have the time to get help because of their responsibilities or don’t have the energy because of overwhelming grievances, depression, and stress. Veterans may distrust professional helpers based on previous contacts or culture or have family members who don’t approve of seeking support outside the family.
Good news for veterans
It’s no secret that veterans have suppressed their feelings. I recently hosted a show for veterans and asked them about those feelings. They noted three main themes: 1. Trust; 2. Insecurity; and 3. Fear. I asked them if they could prepare soldiers returning home for the challenges they can expect, what would they tell them. Twenty of the top responses were:
- You can do it!
- Take a vacation.
- Your family needs you.
- Get computer skills.
- Get all your medical records.
- Know that you have benefits.
- You will receive many compliments.
- Get counseling and seek therapy.
- Ask for help with financial planning.
- Be part of your faith community.
- Always be prepared for the unknown.
- Some problems do not arise immediately.
- Learn what you can about the GI Bill.
- Everything will seem uncertain.
- It will be hard to find a routine, but get one.
- Drinking is not going to solve your problems.
- Find something to live for and don’t kill yourself.
- Know what is the most difficult to treat and talk about it.
- You won’t experience any issues that other veterans haven’t.
- Join a group at your VA, as being with other veterans will keep you active.
There is a VA creed that I particularly like: “It takes the courage and strength of a warrior to ask for help.” The first strategy to improve your health is to get to know your mental health providers. Psychiatrists can offer individual therapy or psychologists who can offer group, marriage, and family counseling. Contact social workers for help with medical and benefits referrals and job counseling. Counselors can help you with counseling. Your primary mental health provider is your primary contact and will coordinate your mental health treatment plan. Talk to your VA Medical Center doctor who cares not only about your physical health but about your mental health as well.
Veterans can gain strength from both the affirmation and the acronym. I have listed both and hope they help!
An affirmation of veterans
The following affirmation can help you find meaning in your experience and build resilience in your life: “I am a veteran. I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I have control over things that happen to me. I will maintain a positive attitude. I am able to maintain my limits.” I am confident in my role in life I can change some of the problems I face I am optimistic What happens in my future is usually up to me I feel connected to others I am a veteran.”
VETERANS acronym
An acronym is when you take the letters of a word and create a meaningful phrase with each of those letters. The key point about the acronym, VETERANS, is that it will describe ways to stay resilient:
vvalue what you have learned about the strength within yourself.
mechoose a word, phrase, and creed that brings you comfort.
TThe importance of sharing your story is found when you find meaning in it.
meLearn about self-compassion and stress management.
Re-evaluate who you are and what you have learned while serving your country.
HASadapt and find positive growth while being in the military.
NOthe new normal acceptance begins with getting out of your own way.
yesstay spiritually connected to those who have died while serving their country.
Extra help for veterans
There are many organizations that can help veterans, such as The American Legion, American Veterans, Black Veterans for Social Justice, Coming Home Project (for veterans and families), Dept. of Health and Human Services Suicide Prevention Hotline 1- 800-273-TALK, Veterans press 1., VA Dept. of Homeless Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs (caregiver support), Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan American Veterans), Dealing with Military Sexual Trauma, National Association of Uniformed Services, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, National Association of Military Families, National Association of Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Salute, Inc. (support and financial assistance), Service Women’s Action Network, US Vets Inc. (veterinarians Homeless), VeteranCaregiver.Com: Virtual Community for Caregivers, Veterans Across the United States (Access to Business and Employment), Veterans for Common Sense, and V eterans Upward Bound (college preparatory programs).
I personally want to wish all Veterans a Happy Veterans Day!
Support Our Troops AND Support Our Veterans