This year, the observance of Veterans Day threatens to be obscured by an upswing in a devastating coronavirus pandemic and the aftermath of a contentious national election. However, now more than during any year in recent memory, it is vital for civilians to educate themselves about the issues affecting U.S. veterans in order to honor their service today and throughout the year.
Like much of the population, veterans and service members have struggled with the stress and isolation brought on by COVID-19. The Associated Press reported a 20% increase in military suicides in September. Many are concerned about a similar increase in veteran suicides, which occurred at a rate 1.5 times that of the civilian population, with an average of 20 veterans dying from suicide each day in 2019.
Mission 22, which battles back against the veteran suicide epidemic, has seen more than 400 events canceled during the pandemic. At the same time, a “slightly increased” number of veterans have reached out to the group for support. Thanks to virtual fundraisers, socially distanced events, and donations from businesses, Mission 22 has supported those in need of help. They have also started two new programs, Vets Feeding Vets, which helps veterans who are struggling to pay for food during the pandemic, and Recovery and Resiliency, which is designed to help veterans heal from severe trauma.
Fight the War Within Foundation began connecting veterans struggling with thoughts of suicide to mental health resources in July as the coronavirus raged. Founder Miranda Briggs says the organization has gained numerous supporters in the passing months. She believes the “one ray of light” in the pandemic is that it has created a vital conversation about suicide among both pre- and post-Sept. 11 veterans.
Other specialized veterans groups are experiencing unique pandemic-related difficulties.
K9s For Warriors, which provides cost-free, trained service dogs to veterans with diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, or traumatic brain injury, has seen waitlists double from 18 months to three years, as social distancing has forced the group to halve the number of participants in its three-week training sessions.
Code of Vets, which supports individual veterans in need, has fielded requests from veterans “with food inconsistencies, utilities disconnect[ed], evictions and foreclosures, and auto repo[sessions] in record numbers,” according to founder and Air Force veteran Gretchen Smith.
Veterans with health effects likely caused by toxic exposures from overseas burn pits may be at increased risk from coronavirus. HunterSeven Foundation, which supports veterans affected by toxic exposure, has seen increased donations during the pandemic, but veteran and clinical nurse researcher Chelsey Poisson says they have also experienced devastating losses. In the past three weeks, 31-year-old Tech. Sgt. Luke Page and 29-year-old Cpl. Patrick Duva died of cancers, which HunterSeven Foundation believes were related to toxic exposures during overseas deployments.
These issues and many more are affecting our widespread, diverse population of veterans. The better civilians understand our veterans’ concerns, the more fully they can support their needs. Support can be as simple as following veterans service organizations on social media, sharing these groups’ missions with friends and family, or donating to veteran causes. Through small changes, civilians can make a long-term impact on those who have borne the battle for us.
The most important way to make a difference for our warfighters is to provide friendship and support for the veterans in our lives. We diminish the darkness of isolation whenever we reach out with a phone call or text to our veteran loved ones. Every time we show up to hear their stories and take the time to understand where, why, how, and when they served, and what their service means to them, we demonstrate how much our veterans’ service means to us.
This year, instead of telling veterans, “thank you,” ask them about their service. Join them on a video call to watch one of the multiple live-streamed Veterans Day celebrations, from the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, to the Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony, to the New York City Veterans Day Parade. Let the veterans you care for know that you want to make their causes your causes. Most importantly, follow through.
We civilians have long benefited from the services our veterans performed to preserve our freedoms. This Veterans Day, rather than sharing shiny photographs emblazoned with generic affirmations of support on social media, civilians should make a real difference in the veteran community. We should educate ourselves about our veterans’ needs, find ways to support veteran causes, and reach out to the veterans we know so that they feel our support for them and for their unique service. The better civilians understand those who have given up their personal freedoms to protect our privileged way of life, the better we can honor their immense sacrifices.
Beth Bailey (@BWBailey85) is a freelance writer from the Detroit area.
