Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day. Think about that for a second. What do soldiers face when they come home?
Last week I had the privilege to see the documentary "Almost Sunrise" as part of the Lyceum Series at the Batte Center here at Wingate University. The film follows two Iraq veterans and their families as they deal with the aftermath of PTSD and depression, which many veterans fight after they come home from war. When traditional therapy and sleeping pills weren't working, Tom and Anthony decided to walk from Michigan to California to find spiritual healing. It also turned into an activist march calling attention to the dangers and concerns veterans face, such as suicide and PTSD. On the way, they met many different people and even had veterans across the country come and walk with them for some of the journey. Afterward, Anthony felt like he had dealt with some of his demons but Tom still had a long way to go. He went to a workshop that focused on meditation and a technique called the "power breath" that focuses emotions and helps work through stress and deep-set trauma. It worked for him and Tom is now an advocate for veterans and veteran suicide all around the country today. Tom and Anthony were even asked to speak before Congress about their journey and about legislation concerning veterans rights and the VA.
This film introduces the concept of "moral injury," which is different from PTSD in that it is based around guilt and shame, not shock and depression. A moral injury is the idea that you have done something that you cannot condone and now must live with it. It makes sense that there could be millions of soldiers dealing with this dilemma, considering the horrors of war and what they are forced and trained to do. This is much of what Tom and Anthony were learning to deal with. Also, considering that 50 years ago PTSD was not a widely used term, it was exciting to think that this could be the new frontier of psychological analysis of war and its impact. Perhaps one day I could be learning about, diagnosing, or even teaching about moral injury.
Veterans today, though society may think they treat them better, still face a rough time when they get home. The VA is currently a sad sight and has a bad reputation of ignoring the people it serves or simply throwing medication at them. Veterans make up 10% of the homeless population, and many times don't get the veterans and/or disability benefits they deserve. Vietnam veterans specifically face the worst of it. They make up a disproportionate amount of the homeless veterans and are 50% more likely to become homeless. This is even more harrowing considering the conditions that Vietnam veterans met when they first came home. They were spit on and hated, because of the toxic propaganda that had been spread about the war at home, and then was taken out on the men who were trying to come home to their families. Now veterans are welcomed home, but many Vietnam veterans never were.
I come from a military family. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather have all been in the service. They have taught me a specific kind of discipline and self-reliance. My dad is a ride captain in the Patriot Guard, a group that stands guard to honor fallen soldiers at their funerals. If you have ever been to a military funeral, chances are they've been there. I have been watching my dad and grandfather as an example of courage and honor. I think this is why I have a passion for veterans. I want to work with them in my career as a psychologist. Maybe one day I can work for the VA, the Wounded Warrior Project, or even go into the military myself as a therapist and work with soldiers in the field. All I know is that with the help of documentaries like Almost Sunrise and the outreach of people like Tom and Anthony, the director, Michael Collins, and the work of everyday people to make a difference in the lives of veterans we can make a change for the better.
I highly encourage you to watch Almost Sunrise. It is an inspiring and moving story that will stay with you. I also ask that you thank every veteran you see. It really does make a difference.
