Increasingly more Americans, upon recognizing a military veteran, are likely to approach him or her and say, “Thank you for your service.”
While that is commendable and can be touching, it is not enough just to thank individuals for having been willing to sacrifice their lives for their country and our precious freedoms. We must fight to ensure that upon their return from service that they are truly taken care of, especially when it comes to their physical and mental health.
Of all the wars this nation has fought, from the American Revolution on, we still are engaged in the two longest wars in the history of the country: Afghanistan and Iraq. They have been costly conflicts, both in terms of lives lost and dollars spent. And for the thousands returning with backpacks full of troubles, they continue to pay an immeasurable price.
