VFW Stands Up Against Military Suicides

Posted by Andy Alt on June 17, 2009

Something I recently came across on the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) web site.

(For Northfielder’s: to watch a video of the 2005 Northfield Veteran’s Memorial dedication, visit http://northfieldmn.wordpress.com/resources-s-z/veterans/)

VFW Stands Up Against Military Suicides (May 29, 2009 ?)

In an open letter, VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner is urging his 1.6 million members to help OEF/OIF veterans cope with the stresses of war.

Dear Comrades:

There is an enemy in our midst that is having a devastating effect on our servicemen and women in the field and at home. That enemy is stress.

Since 9/11, more military personnel and veterans have committed suicide than the total dead from both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, and this tragedy is occurring despite the best of intentions and programs offered by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. That is because the need has overwhelmed the capacity of government and civilian mental health centers. It’s also because some people simply refuse to admit they need help.

[...]
Our nation is in a war and we have comrades in arms who need our help. The VFW must stand up against military suicides by getting involved today in all of our communities.

Yours in comradeship,

Glen M. Gardner Jr.
Commander-in-Chief

HELP RESOURCES
VA Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Click here to watch a video about what one Post is doing to help prevent military suicides.

The full text of this letter is at http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5055