American Veteran Suicide Crisis Demands Ethical Leadership

Patriotism is expressed in many ways, but honoring the men and women who serve in our armed forces is the preeminent hallmark of love for one's country.

Military service is a sacrifice that expresses devotion to our nation. This service deserves dignity, honor, and gratitude of all privileged to call America home.

America honors military service, and especially the ultimate sacrifice, on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

But every day, we must have a profound respect for our military. Their sacrifices, service, and commitment are critical for safeguarding our democracy, freedom, and way of life.

American Veterans Deserve Dignity

The American flag is the sacred symbol of our nation and deserves our unwavering respect.

As our flag flies throughout our land, at schools, workplaces, parades, homes, landmarks, parks, and streets, it is a sacrosanct reminder of the sacrifices of our armed forces.

As we honor our flag, we are reminded to remember all our veterans, especially those who suffer from the trails ignited by challenges during their service. We must have empathy that assists them in their time of need.

America’s veterans are experiencing a suicide crisis. We must respond with character, compassion, and commitment to alleviate their suffering.

A sense of immediate urgency to the veteran suicide crisis is the clarion call to America.

Veteran Suicide Tragedies: Time for Action

Although there are countless expressions of compassion by dedicated individuals in our veteran’s hospitals, there are well documented deficiencies.

These words, attributed to Abraham Lincoln, are therefore applicable to concerns with our veterans:

“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”

A few years ago, there was a shocking and well-documented medical scandal that scorched the conscience of America.

The travesty of treatment delays for veterans needing medical attention was a blistering commentary on the leadership crisis of America.

Although these published reports are no longer making headline news, the continual tragedies of treatment delays, compounded by veteran suicides must ignite our consciences.

America must respond with a heart of moral decency and not allow these injustices to continue.

Any injustice against our veterans in need of mental health treatment must ignite the soul of America to action.

In one heartbreaking story, a veteran, Byron Wade Earles tried to commit suicide on Nov. 7, 2016 after a veteran’s administration hospital denied him admission.

Just two months later, Earles died by suicide on Jan. 6, 2017.

According to published reports, a mental health worker had turned him away not believing his claim of a suicide attempt.

His death highlights America’s crisis memorialized in a history of published reports of deficiencies at veteran’s hospitals.

In another tragic story, Peter Kaiser, a 76-year-old veteran committed suicide in the parking lot of the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northport, New York. His suicide took place after allegedly being denied service at the center.

A published report quoted an anonymous hospital worker who stated that the veteran “went to the E.R. and was denied service … and then he went to his car and shot himself.”

Heart Wrenching Statistics: Red Flags

In one study by the Department of Veterans Affairs, statistics on our veteran suicide crisis are heart wrenching.

The study cites a staggering 22 deaths per day – or one every 65 minutes on average. This study covered veteran’s suicides from 1999 to 2010 and indicated that 69 percent of suicides were among individuals aged 50 years or older.

In other statistics documented by the Team Veteran Foundation website, nearly 137,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001.

The website details these red flags that demand intervention when someone is contemplating suicide:

• Talking or discussions about wanting to die
• Researching ways to kill oneself
• References to hopelessness or feeling as if life has no purpose
• Feelings of being trapped or in unbearable pain
• Feelings of being a burden to others
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Sleep changes; either excessive sleep or insomnia
• Isolation and withdrawal
• Expressions of rage or a desire to seek revenge
• Anxiety, agitation or recklessness
• Extreme mood swings
• Giving away important personal items or pets

Final Reflections

America’s veteran suicide crisis demands our moral leadership, empathy, and action.

Our response must take place through every segment of society and must include our youth, as they are the future of the nation.

One inspirational example of America’s youth responding to the suicide crisis was from two Traverse City high schools in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

On Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, students from these high schools presented a $13,000.00 check to a veteran suicide prevention group at half-time during a basketball game.

The students raised the money when their schools competed against one another during their Traverse City Patriot Game a few months earlier.

These students, through their character, compassion, and concern for the veterans give America great hope for our future.

May each of us be inspired by their example and be fully committed to caring for our veterans through prayer, words, and actions.

Read More:

America’s Veterans Deserve Honor, Homes, Health Care

America’s Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes

Armed Forces: Honor, Leadership, Protecting America

America’s Military Suicide Crisis: Awareness, Compassion, Prevention

Note Well:

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Vincent is author of 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos

1. A military officer being consoled. (Credit Team Veteran Foundation)
2. An American veteran and Purple Heart Recipient on Fifth Avenue during New York City’s Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2011. (Vincent J. Bove)
3. Veteran Jose Gonzalez pauses at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in New York City during the Memorial Day Observation on Monday, May 26, 2014. Gonzalez served in Vietnam 1968–1972. (Vincent J. Bove)
4. 22 Veterans suicides each day. (Credit military.com)
5. Homeless man sleeping with posted veteran sign, 31st Street between 6th and 7th avenue, New York City, Nov. 21, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)